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
- Office: 225.342.7404
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
Taylor F. Barras
Commissioner of Administration
Ex Officio Member
Email: [email protected]
John C. Fleming, M.D.
State Treasurer
Ex Officio Member
Email: [email protected]
Sen. Edward J. “Ed” Price
Chair, Senate Retirement Committee
Ex Officio Member
Email: [email protected]
Rep. Tony Bacala
Chair, House Retirement Committee
Ex Officio Member
Email: [email protected]