1012 Corridor

Andrea Bacarisse

President/CEO, E2E Technology

She heads up an AVAYA and Samsung dealership that sells, services and maintains business telephone systems and data networks. In May 2003, she and her husband, Chris, launched E2E, a firm that handles both voice and data projects. She serves on the board of the Chamber of Southwest Louisiana and is a founding member and chair of Fusion Five, the newest young professionals’ organization in southwest Louisiana.

Marcus Brown

Owner, Believe Entertainment

He started this consulting and production firm in Lafayette because he believes in the city’s location in the heart of Louisiana, its rich creative community and its technological savvy—specifically its broadband infrastructure. He partnered with Baton Rouge Community College to develop a video game training program and also now manages the Lafayette Entertainment Initiative.

Ricky Compton

Planning and Development Director, Ascension Parish

This urban planner with a background in landscape architecture is overseeing master planning for one of the parishes in Louisiana that needs it the most. He and his staff—along with Colorado-based Winston Associates—will finalize a strategy that reflects what the residents want for the future of the growing area. A native of Natchitoches who grew up in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, Compton previously worked for a private design firm in Orlando, Fla.

Richard Cortizas

Special Counsel, Jones Walker

In the firm’s Business & Finance Practice Group, he assists clients primarily in complex land use and zoning matters. He is also currently the president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana and a member of its executive board, serves as a member of the Hispanic National Bar Association, is a member of the Board of Trustees of the International School of Louisiana, serves on the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Foundation Inc.’s advisory council, and was recently appointed to the New Orleans Municipal Yacht Harbor Corporation’s board of directors.

Stuart Litvin

Executive Director, Livingston Economic Development Council

He’s the new face of economic development in booming Livingston Parish. The certified economic community developer brings with him some 30 years of experience in the profession, working for cities, counties and regions. His extensive experience includes locations of corporate and regional headquarters, logistic firms, manufacturing, retail and hospitality as well as small businesses. He was on the faculty of both the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and Virginia Tech’s Institute for Economic Development.

Kevin Pearson

Representative, Louisiana Legislature

This legislator is making quite a name for himself speaking out on issues near and dear to the hearts of those who live on the Northshore. He proposed a unique change to the homestead exemption, spoke vehemently against a gasoline tax hike, urged St. Tammany residents to fight their assessments and took on cable companies over the limited airing of games of Louisiana’s pro sports teams. The entrepreneur started his own company, Slidell-based Wealth Management Group Inc., in 2002 and was elected in 2007.