ST. TAMMANY — The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors elected Ronnie Simpson, assistant vice president for community and public affairs with Ochsner Health, to a one-year term as its Chairman of the Board. He succeeds Carrie Calvin, director of accounting and auditing services with Bourgeois Bennett, LLC.
Simpson was installed during the Chamber’s Annual Installation and Awards Luncheon on January 13, 2026, held at The Greystone, with more than 200 Chamber members, business leaders and guests in attendance.
“To lead a 1,000-plus member organization and 40-plus member board of directors requires leadership and ability to work with diverse professionals from various occupations,” said Lacey Osborne, president and CEO of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce. “In order to maintain an effective, respected Chamber of Commerce, there must be one accomplished business leader willing to take the helm each year, to give of their time, talent and treasure. It is a huge responsibility that Ronnie has graciously agreed to carry out in 2026 to ensure the continued growth and success of this Chamber.”
Simpson has been an active member of the Chamber Board of Directors for several years, providing continuity and institutional knowledge to the organization. With more than 30 years of experience in public affairs, communications and governmental relations, he currently leads regional community and public affairs strategy for Ochsner Health. In this role, he advises senior leadership on government relations and stakeholder engagement while guiding community outreach initiatives across the region. His professional background also includes senior communications and public information roles with St. Tammany Parish Government and the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA, where he supported recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina.
“It is an honor to serve as chairman of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce,” said Simpson. “The Chamber plays a critical role in advocating for our business community and strengthening the economic vitality of the Northshore. I look forward to working alongside our board, staff, members and elected leaders to build meaningful partnerships and support a strong, thriving St. Tammany Parish.”
Simpson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Louisiana State University and is currently a participant in Leadership Louisiana’s Class of 2026.
Rounding out the members of the 2026 Board of Directors are:
- Carrie Calvin, Bourgeois Bennett, LLC
- Donna Bach, Pizza Platoon
- Kyle Beerbohm, Aubert Insurance Agency
- Thomas Buckel, DDG, PC
- Andrew Burns, American Bank
- Dr. Jim Carlson, Northshore Technical Community College
- Sam Caruso, Jr., Campaign Depot, LLC
- Christina Chifici, Mauldin & Jenkins + LaPorte
- Rick Danielson, Danielson Tate Capital Partners, LLC
- Doug Ferrer, Red River Bank
- Dionne Graham, East St. Tammany Rainbow Child Care Center, Inc.
- Donald “Bubba” Jenkins, Jenkins Homes
- Linda Larkin, Patriot Title
- Jennifer Messina, Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West
- Lauren Navarre, Arena Collective, LLC
- Victoria Paz, The Harbor Center
- Shane Purvis, Bonvenu Bank
- Kelly Rabalais, St. Tammany Health System
- Benjamin Richaud, Lakeview Hospital
- Vanessa Schneider, Blitch Knevel Architects
- Alan Thriffiley, Taxdrop, LLC Personal & Business Taxes
- Cleveland Wester, Youth Service Bureau
Members of the 2026 Advisory Board include:
- Chris Abadie, Colliers Louisiana, LLC
- David Boudreaux, Hancock Whitney
- Rick Dennie, New York Life
- Matt Guidry, St. Tammany Farmer and NOLA.com
- David Landry, Carver Darden, LLC
- Leslie Landry, Northshore Community Foundation
- Ted Longo, The Longo Group
- Sonja Newman, United Way of Southeast Louisiana
- Louis Ochoa, The Sadie Jane
- Donna O‘Daniels, Visit The Northshore
- Russell Richardson, St. Tammany Economic Development Corporation
- Mike Saucier, Gulf States Real Estate Services
- Michelle Schellinger, Renasant
- Don Shea, Tri-Parish Works
- Kathy Stuart, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.
- Caroline Theriot, U.S. Senator John Kennedy