LASERS BOARD OF TRUSTEES

A 13-member Board of Trustees oversees LASERS operations. Six seats are filled by active members. Three seats are held by retirees. Four positions are ex officio, held by the State Treasurer, Commissioner of Administration, Chair of the Louisiana Senate Retirement Committee, and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives Retirement Committee appointed by the Speaker of the House, or their designees.

Trustees serve four-year terms. No Trustee may serve more than three consecutive terms. Trustees are required to file financial disclosure reports with the Board of Ethics.

Byron P. Decoteau, Jr.

Board Chair, Active Member

Trustee since 2022
Current term ends 12/31/2025

Email: [email protected]

About Byron Decoteau, Jr.

What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?

“Work to maintain stability and sound financial investment practices to ensure the current and future needs of retirees.”

Member of LASERS for 25 years
Current Director of Louisiana Department of State Civil Service
23 years of experience in State Human Resources
Current At-Large Board Member of RSEA
Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Leadership Development from Louisiana State University
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Southeastern Louisiana University
Office: 225.342.8272

Virginia Burton

Board Vice Chair, Retired Member

Trustee since 2016
Current term ends 12/31/2027

Email: [email protected]

About Virginia Burton

What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?

“Providing a sound retirement plan that will meet the security and financial needs of our members.”

CPA, Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (retired) and Certified Fraud Examiner (retired)
Over 30 years of management experience in state service (retired from the Dept. of Revenue in 2007)
Member of LASERS since 1971
LASERS retired member Trustee since 2016
LASERS Board of Trustees Audit Committee Chair 2019, 2023
LASERS Board of Trustees Vice Chair 2018, 2024
LASERS Board of Trustees as an active member for 16 years serving as Chair of Board, Investment, Management, and Audit committees
Participant member of La. Deferred Compensation Commission since 2006
Cell: 225.335.9653

Pam Diez

Active Member

Trustee since 2024
Current term ends 12/31/2027

Email: [email protected]

About Pam Diez

What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?

“Ensuring the financial soundness of the System in order to continue the provision of retiree benefits while reducing the cost to the members and the State.”

Member of LASERS for 10 years
Current Deputy Undersecretary for the Department of Health
34 years of state government experience in the areas of finance and administration
Certified Public Accountant
Current Board Member of the National Association of State Human Services Finance Officers
Past Board Member of the Campus Federal Credit Union
Past member of the Ascension Parish Tourism Commission
Graduate of Leadership Ascension, Ascension Chamber of Commerce
Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University
Office: 225.342.1315

Beverly Hodges

Retired Member

Trustee since 2024
Current term ends 12/31/2027

Email: [email protected]

About Beverly Hodges

What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?

“Protect and sustain the growth of plan assets to provide benefits to current and future retirees.”

Member of LASERS for over 20 years
Retired Undersecretary from the Department of Natural Resources
39 years of government experience in administration, auditing, finance, and management
LASERS Board of Trustees as an active member for 12 years serving as Chair of Board, Audit, Management, and Investment committees.
LA Deferred Compensation Commission Member since 2022
Certified Public Accountant
Member and Past President Government Finance Officers Association of Louisiana
Master’s in Public Administration from Louisiana State University
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Nicholls State University
Cell: 225.505.3330

Ternisa Hutchinson

Active Member

Trustee since 2022
Current term ends 12/31/2025

Email: [email protected]

About Ternisa Hutchinson

What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?

“To uphold the Trustee’s fiduciary responsibility, and keep LASERS assets safe in order to provide retirement benefits to current and future retirees.”

Member of LASERS for 22 years
State Director of Planning & Budget, Division of Administration
Delegate for Commissioner of Administration, Deputy Sheriffs’ and Municipal Police State Supplemental Pay Boards
Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Louisiana State University
Master’s in Public Administration from the University of North Texas
Cell: 225.333.2071

Cortny Jarrell

Active Member

Trustee since 2024
Current term ends 12/31/27

Email: [email protected]

About Cortny Jarrell

What is the most important aspect of the LASERS mission?
“To maintain public confidence and stability in order to provide current and future benefits for our members.”

Member of LASERS for 16 years
Current Human Resources Analyst for the House of Representatives
Extensive experience in Human Resource Management with State Civil Service and the Dept. of Transportation and Development
Participant in the Louisiana Public Employees Deferred Compensation Plan
President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Greater Baton Rouge
First Vice-President of the Southern University Alumni Federation
Master’s of Public Administration from Southern University and A&M College
Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Science from Southern University and A&M College
Office: 225.342.2455

Laura Lapeze

Active Member

Trustee since 2024
Current term ends 12/31/27

Email: [email protected]

About Laura Lapeze

Member of LASERS for over 16 years
Current Undersecretary for the Department of Revenue
Former Chief Financial Officer for the Louisiana State Treasury
Over 19 years of state government experience in the areas of budgeting/finance and executive-level administration with agencies including the Department of Education, Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOSHEP), and Louisiana Technical College.
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University
Office: 225.219.2706

Amy A. Mathews

Active Member

Trustee since 2022
Current term ends 12/31/25

Email: [email protected]

About Amy Mathews

What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?

“To protect our System and pursue the long-term stability of the fund for LASERS members.”

Member of LASERS for over 15 years
Investment Manager for the State General Fund & Trust Funds, Louisiana Department of the Treasury
LASERS Board of Trustees Investment Committee Chair 2022
Served as LASERS Trustee as State Treasurer’s Designee
Over 20 years of investment securities work in private sector
Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Southeastern Louisiana University
Bachelor’s in Finance from Louisiana State University
Office: 225.342.1598

Barbara McManus

Retired Member

Trustee since 2018
Current term ends 12/31/2025

Email: [email protected]

About Barbara McManus

What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?

“Keep LASERS safe and sound with growth in assets.”

35 years of experience with the Department of Social Services with 31 years of management experience
LASERS Board Vice Chair 2012, 2021, 2023
LASERS Board of Trustees Audit Committee Chair 2020, 2022
LASERS Board of Trustees Management Committee Chair 2019
LASERS Board of Trustees Legislative Committee Chair 2012
Serves on the Advisory Board of Christus/St. Patrick Foundation, Board of Trustees of Boys Village, Board member of RSEA
Past experience with Group Benefits Board and Eagle Federal Credit Union Board
Served as a Commissioner with the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District for 4.5 years, served as President one year
Cell: 337.433.8910