SMHA Staff

Lorna Bourg, CEO

A MacArthur Fellow · A Fannie Mae Foundation James A. Johnson Fellow · Graduate of Harvard's JFK School of Government Program for Senior Executives · Over four decades in comprehensive rural community and housing development · Leadership consultant in local, regional and national nonprofit initiatives · Master's degree in Psychology · Extensive experience in community organizing. Co-founder of Southern Mutual Help Association, Inc. and Southern Mutual Financial Services, Inc.

Helen Vinton, Assistant Executive Director/Life Quality Director

Rural specialist · Directs SMHA's Life Quality Program initiatives including sustainable agriculture and economic alternatives with traditional fishers · Over 30 years' experience in rural community development · M.S. in Biology with continued education in environmental studies · Served as president of Rural Advancement Foundation—USA · Co-founded the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group · Member, Sisters of Providence.

Denise Galatas, Special Assistant to the President and Sr. Program Designer and Writer

Ten years experience with SMHA, assisted in raising approximately $5.8 million in non-governmental funds. Experience as Office Systems Technology Instructor in the Louisiana Technical College System · 16 years' business experience includes marketing director for nonprofit performing arts organization and project consultant for Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group · B.S. in Business Administration · M.S. in Marketing.

Theresa LaCour-Hebert, Executive Administrative Assistant.

Theresa is the Executive Administrative Assistant to Lorna Bourg, President/Executive Director of Southern Mutual Help Association. Theresa has over 14 years professional experience assisting busy executives as they work hard to accomplish the goals and missions of their organization. Theresa has 20 years business, management and accounting experience with outstanding organizational and communication skills. Theresa is home grown, born and raised in Iberia Parish and understands the traditions and the culture of the people in the area. Theresa’s previous professional experience has provided her the opportunity to work with others on a State as well as Federal level. Theresa loves to be of service and is proud to have joined the SMHA team in helping to build the rural communities of Louisiana.

Special Assistant for Communications and Design Art

Sixteen years' nonprofit experience and over 18 years' experience in the private sector for upper management of firms · High-level competencies in computer, internet and graphic/desktop publishing skills and research. Serves on SMHA's LANO, NeighborWorks, and Business Interruptions and Recovery committees.

Monica Luke, Program Officer, Directorate for Family and Community Development

Over four years non-profit experience with SMHA, received the Louisiana Mortgage Loan Originators License and certification in September 2010, member of SMHA's Stewardship Committee, Business Interruptions and Recovery Committee and Policy Committee. 18 years experience as a foundation manager in rural Appalachia, Member of Louisiana Society of CPAs, specially trained in real estate transactions.

Clementine Matthews, Southern Mutual Financial Services Administrator

Over 16 years' nonprofit experience with SMHA, including housing/human development, Louisiana Mortgage Loan Originators License in September 2010, 10 years with Southern Mutual Financial Services, Inc. (SMFS), SMHA's lending affiliate, with over $9 million in mortgage, consumer and business loans · Extensive experience in credit counseling, loan origination, loan packaging, arranging mortgage finance and loan closing · Experience as consultant in local rural communities and school boards · Finalist for the McAuley Institute's 2002 Courage in Community Award.

Tim Daigle, Southern Mutual Financial Services Assistant to Administrator

Tim brings five years of business experience including estimating, computer graphing and hands on construction. He has a B.S. in Business Administration from Nicholls State University. Tim is a member of SMHA's Cross Team Housing / SMFS Committee and the Business Interruptions and Safety Committee.

Monica Broussard, Office Communications and Receptionist

Over four years at SMHA as receptionist and staff support, serving on SMHA's Louisiana Association of NonProfit Organizations (LANO), NeighborWorks and Hospitality committees, over 20 years' experience in office management, secretarial and related responsibilities · Two years' experience in customer service · Secretarial degree, Delta School of Business.

Annette Broussard, Financial Affairs Administrator

Annette brings 14 years of accounting and customer service to SMHA with a high level of professionalism. She prepares all information for the CPA and auditors, and is in charge of all accounting procedures, grants and loans and her work produces clean audits every year for SMHA. She provides staff support to SMHA's Audit Finance Committee and the Investment Committee and serves on SMHA's Excellence Standards (LANO) Committee and the Great Gator Race Committee.

Shirley Comeaux, Senior Donor Relations Manager, Equipment Inventory Manager

Over 10 years nonprofit experience with SMHA, including seven years as Administrative Assistant for Financial Affairs retiring from that position in 2003. Returned to SMHA in 2008. A Notary Public with 40 years experience in all aspects of Accounting. Proficient in Raiser's Edge software and manages SMHA's annual appeal.





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