Meet the Board
Shannon Templet
Board Chair
What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission? “To maintain stable and sound financial investment practices in order to provide current and future benefits to members.”
- Member of LASERS for 32 years
- Current Director of Human Resources of the House of Representatives
- Former State Civil Service Director
- LASERS Board of Trustees Chair 2014, 2019, 2023
- LASERS Board of Trustees Vice Chair 2022
- LASERS Board of Trustees Management Committee Chair 2013, 2016
- LASERS Board of Trustees Audit Committee Chair 2015
- Extensive knowledge and experience gained as Human Resources Director for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections – Corrections Services
- Member of LASERS Advisory Board for eight years
- Past President of National Association of State Personnel Executives
- Chairman of Department of Corrections Credit Union Credit Committee for 10 years
- Bachelor of Science in Finance from Louisiana State University
- Master’s of Science in Leadership and Human Resources Management from Louisiana State University
- Term Expires 12/31/2023
Contact Shannon Templet
Email: sstemplet0310@gmail.com
Phone (Office): 225.342.2455
Barbara McManus
Board Vice Chair
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
- Term Expires 12/31/2025
Contact Barbara McManus
Email: barbaramcmanus02@gmail.com
Phone: 337.433.8910
Thomas Bickham
What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?
“To provide sound fiscal management of the system’s assets to ensure the continued provision of retirement benefits.”
- Member of LASERS for 25 years
- Current Undersecretary for the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
- LASERS Board of Trustees Chair 2015, 2020
- LASERS Board of Trustees Vice Chair 2019
- LASERS Audit Committee Chair 2016, 2017
- LASERS Management Committee Chair 2014, 2022
- LASERS Investment Committee Chair 2013, 2018, 2023
- Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Mississippi State University
- Term Expires 12/31/2023
Contact Thomas Bickham
Email: Thomas.Bickham@la.gov
Phone (Office): 225.342.6739
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 retiring from La. Department of Revenue in 2007
- Member of LASERS since 1971
- LASERS retiree member since 2016
- LASERS Board of Trustees Audit Committee Chair 2019, 2023
- LASERS Board of Trustees Vice Chair 2018
- 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
- Term Expires 12/31/2023
Contact Virginia Burton
Email: virginia.burton@cox.net
Phone: 225.335.9653
Charles F. Castille
What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?
“To maintain and protect the fiscal soundness of our retirement system.”
- Member of LASERS for 47 years
- Retired after 35 years from Department of Health and Hospitals having served as General Counsel, Deputy Secretary, and Undersecretary
- Formerly served as Executive Director of the Louisiana Rural Hospital Coalition from 2014-2019
- Member, LASERS Board of Trustees 2008 – 2011; 2020 – Present
- LASERS Board of Trustees Chair 2011
- LASERS Board of Trustees Legislative Committee Chair 2010-2011; 2020-2023
- LASERS Board of Trustees Audit Committee Chair 2009
- Juris Doctor, Louisiana State University Law Center and Bachelor of Arts from University of Louisiana at Lafayette
- Member, Louisiana State Bar Association 1974 – present
- Member of RSEA
- Term Expires 12/31/2023
Contact Charles F. Castille
Email: charlesfcastille@gmail.com
Phone: 225.937.7363
Byron P. 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 24 years
- Director, Louisiana Department of State Civil Service
- Business Management Degree from Southeastern Louisiana University
- Masters Degree in Human Resources and Leadership Development from Louisiana State University
- 22 years of Human Resources Experience with the State
- Current At-Large Board Member of RSEA
- Term Expires 12/31/2025
Contact Byron Decoteau
Email: byron.decoteau@la.gov
Phone: 225.342.8272
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
- Bachelor of Arts Degree (Political Science) from Louisiana State University (1996) and Master of Public Administration from University of North Texas (2000)
- Delegate for Commissioner of Administration, Deputy Sheriffs’ and Municipal Police State Supplemental Pay Boards
- Term Expires 12/31/2025
Contact Ternisa Hutchinson
Email: ternisa.hutchinson@la.gov
Phone: 225.333.2071
Judge William Kleinpeter
What is the most important aspect of the LASERS Mission?
“The most important aspect of the LASERS mission is to provide a sound retirement plan for our members. If there is prudent management and exceptional service, the plan will be sound.”
- Member of LASERS since 1991
- Judge, City Court of Port Allen since 1991
- Member of the LASERS Board of Trustees since 2012
- LASERS Board of Trustees Chair 2016, 2022
- LASERS Board of Trustees Management Chair 2023
- LASERS Investments Committee Chair 2020
- LASERS Legislative Committee Chair 2013-2019
- Attorney in private civil practice since 1991 with emphasis on probate, collections, insurance defense, personal injury, and family law
- Served as Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana
- Juris Doctorate and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Louisiana State University
- Term Expires 12/31/2023
Contact Judge William Kleinpeter
Email: william@wkleinpeter.com
Phone (Office): 225.346.4702
Amy A. 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 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
- B.S. in Finance, Louisiana State University
- Masters in Business Administration, Southeastern Louisiana University
- 20+ years Investment securities work in private sector
- Term Expires 12/31/2025
Contact Amy Mathews
Email: amymat221@gmail.com
Phone: 225.342.1598
Commissioner
Jay Dardenne
Contact Information
Contact: Barbara Goodson
Email: Barbara.Goodson@la.gov
Phone (Office): 225.342.7101
Representative
Barry Ivey
Contact Information
Email: iveyb@legis.la.gov
Phone (Office): 225.261.5739
Senator
Barrow Peacock
Contact Information
Email: peacockb@legis.la.gov
Phone (Office): 318.741.7180
Senator
Edward Price
Contact Information
Email: pricee@legis.la.gov
Phone (Office): 225.644.6738
State Treasurer
John Schroder
Contact Information
Contact: John Broussard
Email: jbroussard@treasury.la.gov
Phone (Office): 225.342.0013