Laurie Priftis joined Williams Creative Group in 2016. As Digital Media Specialist, Laurie works on a variety of projects including website design and development, online marketing campaigns, digital and social media strategy for several of WCG’s clients in engineering, retail, entertainment, oil and gas, healthcare, and tourism. In addition, Laurie provides account services for a number of WCG’s clients.
Laurie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, New Media from Centenary College of Louisiana. She is a member of the American Advertising Federation, Shreveport-Bossier chapter and serves on the Executive Board as Past President and Membership Chair. Laurie also serves AAF’s District 10 as Louisiana State Representative and serves on Zeta Tau Alpha’s Beta Iota Advisory Board.
Scott Cochran is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and has worked at CHRISTUS Health for 25 years. Scott has served in many roles for Cabrini Hospital and was instrumental in the growth of the CHRISTUS LA Sports Medicine Center in Central Louisiana. He currently holds a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. Throughout the years, Scott has been very active on various boards and professional organizations. He served as a leader on the Executive Committee of the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association, the LHSAA Medical Advisory Board, and was awarded the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association Clinical Corporate Athletic Trainer of the Year award in 2006, representing Louisiana among District IX of the National Athletic Trainers Association (AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, TN). Scott married his wife Jamie in 1999 and they have two children: Brandon and Amie. Scott and his family are active members of the Kingsville Baptist Church.
Laurie Priftis joined Williams Creative Group in 2016. As Digital Media Specialist, Laurie works on a variety of projects including website design and development, online marketing campaigns, digital and social media strategy for several of WCG’s clients in engineering, retail, entertainment, oil and gas, healthcare, and tourism. In addition, Laurie provides account services for a number of WCG’s clients. Laurie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication, New Media from Centenary College of Louisiana. She is a member of the American Advertising Federation, Shreveport-Bossier chapter and serves on the Executive Board as Past President and Membership Chair. Laurie also serves AAF’s District 10 as Louisiana State Representative and serves on Zeta Tau Alpha’s Beta Iota Advisory Board.
Scott Cochran is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and has worked at CHRISTUS Health for 25 years. Scott has served in many roles for Cabrini Hospital and was instrumental in the growth of the CHRISTUS LA Sports Medicine Center in Central Louisiana. He currently holds a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration. Throughout the years, Scott has been very active on various boards and professional organizations. He served as a leader on the Executive Committee of the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association, the LHSAA Medical Advisory Board, and was awarded the Southeast Athletic Trainers Association Clinical Corporate Athletic Trainer of the Year award in 2006, representing Louisiana among District IX of the National Athletic Trainers Association (AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, TN). Scott married his wife Jamie in 1999 and they have two children: Brandon and Amie. Scott and his family are active members of the Kingsville Baptist Church.
Jamie M. Wright is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science, studying American Politics and Comparative Politics, with an expected graduation date of spring 2023. Her primary research interests focus on the intersection of political behavior, public opinion and media effects with a particular focus on the role that social media plays. Her dissertation explores how social media and celebrity activism online affect younger Americans’ political socialization and their entry into the political sphere using survey experiments and observational data. Jamie received her M.A. in political science (with honors and distinction) from the University of West Florida and her B.A. degrees in political science and history (magna cum laude) from Centenary College of Louisiana. She has a passion for community involvement and enriching the lives of those that Coastal Connection devotes its mission to serve.
Mona Wright has always had a passion for helping people - especially children. She graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education and went on to earn her Master’s degree from University of Houston. After teaching for many years, she decided to devote her time to her family and helping others. She has also been active in several Parent Teacher Associations, served on Hope House of Central Louisiana Board, taught CCD classes and Confirmation classes for her church, and volunteered helping many community organizations such as Children’s Miracle Network, American Heart Association, and American Cancer Society.
Sherman Fookes has worked at Christus Health since 2006 and currently serves as Vice President of Operations at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Louisiana Tech University in 1997 and graduated with his Master of Arts degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology in 2000. Sherman married his wife Sarah in 2001 and they have three children: Cade, Cole, and Caleb. Sherman and his family are active members of Calvary Baptist Church. He has been on a variety of mission trips during his high school and college years in the United States, serves currently on the Board of Directors for Mission Agricultural Resource Service, and is excited to be involved in the mission of Coastal Connection as well.
Billy McRae has worked at Christus Health for 23 years in both inpatient and outpatient capacities and care. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Louisiana College in 1996. Billy is an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana. Billy has also been on five international mission trips throughout Central America, as well as Nepal. Billy is married to his wife Shelley and they have two children Emily and Colin.
Donald Lloyd formerly served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for CHRISTUS St. Patrick Health System and CHRISTUS Southwest Louisiana in Lake Charles, Louisiana and formerly served as President and CEO of Marion Regional Healthcare System in Marion, South Carolina. Mr. Lloyd currently serves as the President and CEO of St. Claire Healthcare in Morehead, Kentucky. Don received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in Lander University and his Master of Business Administration degree at Francis Marion University. Don supports various ministries of the church and the Lexington, Kentucky diocese. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Serra International, and Legatus. Mr. Lloyd also serves as the Governor’s appointee to the Lander University Board of Trustees in Greenwood, South Carolina. Don and his wife Monti have three children; Buddy, Katie, and Liliana.
Stephen Wright has held a variety of leadership roles within CHRISTUS Health over the course of his 37-year career. Most recently, he served as the senior leader for more than 6,500 associates, 2,000 medical staff members, and over 10 facilities throughout Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Stephen has served as the Chair of the Louisiana Hospital Association and served as the Vice Chair of the Louisiana Quality Forum on Health which acts as the state of Louisiana’s HIN. Stephen has received the 2010 “Champion of Diversity” award and the “National AHA Grass Roots Champion Award” in 2007. Over the past two years, Stephen has been able to foster one of his passions of giving with multiple mission trips to Haiti and Puerto Rico and cultivating relationships with individuals and organizations domestically and internationally in order to further pursue the mission of Coastal Connection.
Donald Lloyd formerly served as the President and Chief Executive Officer for CHRISTUS St. Patrick Health System and CHRISTUS Southwest Louisiana in Lake Charles, Louisiana and formerly served as President and CEO of Marion Regional Healthcare System in Marion, South Carolina. Mr. Lloyd currently serves as the President and CEO of St. Claire Healthcare in Morehead, Kentucky. Don received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in Lander University and his Master of Business Administration degree at Francis Marion University. Don supports various ministries of the church and the Lexington, Kentucky diocese. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Serra International, and Legatus. Mr. Lloyd also serves as the Governor’s appointee to the Lander University Board of Trustees in Greenwood, South Carolina. Don and his wife Monti have three children; Buddy, Katie, and Liliana.
Eugene P. Cicardo, Jr. is a self employed attorney in Alexandria, Louisiana. He formerly served as the Assistant Secretary/General Counsel, Office of Legal Affairs, Public Safety Services for the State of Louisiana and as Magistrate for the town of Lecompte, Louisiana. Gene graduated from Louisiana College in 1979. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center in 1982 and was inducted to the Law Center Hall of Fame in 2017. He is an active member of the community having been in many organizations and having served on various boards including the Alexandria Bar Association, Alexandria Kiwanis Club and Amerita Club. Gene is married to his wife Jenny and they have three children: Katie, Tripp and Kit.
Billy McRae has worked at Christus Health for 23 years in both inpatient and outpatient capacities and care. He graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Louisiana College in 1996. Billy is an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, Louisiana. Billy has also been on five international mission trips throughout Central America, as well as Nepal. Billy is married to his wife Shelley and they have two children Emily and Colin.
Sherman Fookes has worked at Christus Health since 2006 and currently serves as Vice President of Operations at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital. He graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Louisiana Tech University in 1997 and graduated with his Master of Arts degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology in 2000. Sherman married his wife Sarah in 2001 and they have three children: Cade, Cole, and Caleb. Sherman and his family are active members of Calvary Baptist Church. He has been on a variety of mission trips during his high school and college years in the United States, serves currently on the Board of Directors for Mission Agricultural Resource Service, and is excited to be involved in the mission of Coastal Connection as well.
Mona Wright has always had a passion for helping people - especially children. She graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education and went on to earn her Master’s degree from University of Houston. After teaching for many years, she decided to devote her time to her family and helping others. She has also been active in several Parent Teacher Associations, served on Hope House of Central Louisiana Board, taught CCD classes and Confirmation classes for her church, and volunteered helping many community organizations such as Children’s Miracle Network, American Heart Association, and American Cancer Society.
Stephen Wright has held a variety of leadership roles within CHRISTUS Health over the course of his 37-year career. Most recently, he served as the senior leader for more than 6,500 associates, 2,000 medical staff members, and over 10 facilities throughout Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Stephen has served as the Chair of the Louisiana Hospital Association and served as the Vice Chair of the Louisiana Quality Forum on Health which acts as the state of Louisiana’s HIN. Stephen has received the 2010 “Champion of Diversity” award and the “National AHA Grass Roots Champion Award” in 2007. Over the past two years, Stephen has been able to foster one of his passions of giving with multiple mission trips to Haiti and Puerto Rico and cultivating relationships with individuals and organizations domestically and internationally in order to further pursue the mission of Coastal Connection.
Jamie M. Wright is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Political Science, studying American Politics and Comparative Politics, with an expected graduation date of spring 2023. Her primary research interests focus on the intersection of political behavior, public opinion and media effects with a particular focus on the role that social media plays. Her dissertation explores how social media and celebrity activism online affect younger Americans’ political socialization and their entry into the political sphere using survey experiments and observational data. Jamie received her M.A. in political science (with honors and distinction) from the University of West Florida and her B.A. degrees in political science and history (magna cum laude) from Centenary College of Louisiana. She has a passion for community involvement and enriching the lives of those that Coastal Connection devotes its mission to serve.
