• General Counsel;
  Vice President
  Government Relations
• laurenh@labi.org

Lauren Hadden is the Judicial Program Director and the Director of LABI’s Energy and Environmental Quality Council, as well as the Civil Justice Council.

Prior to joining LABI, Lauren was a partner at Taylor Porter, LLP, with a practice focused on casualty, insurance defense, and labor and employment litigation. Lauren was ranked among Louisiana Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” as selected by her peers for 2019 – 2022, and Best Lawyers “Ones to Watch,” also selected by her peers.

Lauren earned her J.D. in 2015 from the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Communications from LSU in 2012. Prior to attending law school, Lauren lobbied for AARP Louisiana, and interned for Bobby Jindal during his 2012 reelection campaign.

• Senior Vice President
  Marketing & Strategic Communications
• ashleyg@labi.org

Ashley Gordon has more than 25 years of experience in journalism, marketing, public relations and media management. She was most recently the Director of Communications for the Office of Lieutenant Governor. Prior to that, Gordon was the publisher and editor of inRegister magazine and worked for its parent company—Louisiana Business, Inc.—for two decades. She has won numerous national awards for her writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. Gordon is a native of Baton Rouge and graduated from the University of Alabama in Mass Communications.

• Senior Vice President
  Government Relations
• jimp@labi.org | (225) 215-6657
• @LABIPatterson

As the Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Jim Patterson is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the day-to-day activities of LABI’s lobbying team at the Capitol. He directs the Taxation and Finance, Small Business and Technology Councils and also serves as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Right-to-Work Committee.

Jim has served with LABI for over 30 years.

• Vice President
  Finance & Administration
• wandaa@labi.org | (225) 215-6633

Wanda Allphin serves as LABI’s Vice President of Finance and Administration.

Before joining LABI, Wanda served as the controller of the LSU Health Care Services Division Administration, which oversees seven of Louisiana’s public hospitals.

Wanda holds a Bachelor of Science in finance and is a Certified Public Accountant. She has served on the board of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and their foundation and on the Episcopal Community Services Board through the Diocese. Wanda and her husband Johnnie have three daughters.

• Director of IT
• andref@labi.org | (225) 928-5388

Dr. Andre Forbes directs and administrates the IT department at the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

Andre worked most recently with Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Senior Network Engineer. He has been in the IT and computer business for 20 years. In addition, Andre holds a Ph.D. in computer science and a master’s degree in information technology with a specialization in network management.

• Director of Financial Operations
• tabithag@labi.org | (225) 215-6632

As LABI’s Office Manager and Director of Financial Operations, Tabitha is responsible for overseeing all accounting functions for LABI, LABI’s PACs, LABI Service Corporation and the LABI Foundation. Tabitha provides financial and administrative services to ensure efficient, timely and accurate payment of accounts under her control and works to balance LABI and Political Action Committee (PAC) membership accounts. She also manages publication sales for the LABI Workers’ Compensation Desk Book and the preparation and filing of the sales tax returns from the sales of the books.

Tabitha is from Prairieville and holds an Associate of Applied Science in criminal justice.

• Director of Government Relations
  
• marybethh@labi.org

DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, TRADE, TRANSPORTATION & TOURISM COUNCILS

A native of Denham Springs, Mary Beth Hughes joins LABI from the Fox News Channel’s D.C. Bureau. As an assignment editor for FNC, she covered the 2020 presidential election, January 6th, two impeachment trials and the 2020 summer protests. Hughes holds a master’s degree from American University and is an undergraduate alumna of Mississippi College. While pursuing her graduate degree, Hughes worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Garret Graves (LA-06) as a Press Fellow.

• Vice President
  Member Relations
• elenal@labi.org | (225) 215-6647
• @LABILacour

As LABI’s Vice President of Member Relations, Elena Lacour oversees the leadership, direction and management of the membership team. Elena works closely with LABI’s policy team to establish and maintain partnerships with Louisiana business leaders and engaging them in advocating for the state’s economic prosperity.

Before joining LABI, Elena served as State Director of Programs and Training for the Alzheimer’s Association Louisiana Chapter where she was responsible for advocacy, dementia care training and development. Prior to that, Elena was employed at LABI as a Regional Marketing Manager.

• Graphic Design Manager

Stephen Llorens is a native of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and graduated from the School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design. With over a decade of experience in print and commercial design, he possesses considerable graphic design, motion design, and digital media expertise.

• Director of Policy Communications
• mariahm@labi.org | (225) 215-6651

Mariah’s role focuses on the development and implementation of integrated communications strategies for LABI. She works in coordination with the policy, political and communications teams to develop coordinated messaging, high-impact content and targeted dissemination to advance the organization’s policy and advocacy agenda. During the legislative session, she monitors key legislation across all issue areas and communicates progress to members, the Legislature and stakeholders through daily and weekly communications and the creation of effective outreach materials.

Originally from Lake Charles, Mariah attended Louisiana State University (LSU), receiving her bachelor’s degree from the Manship School of Mass Communication with a concentration in political communication. Throughout her time as an undergrad, she worked on several campaigns, assisting primarily with communications and GOTV efforts. She also wrote an opinion column for The Daily Reveille at LSU.

Prior to joining LABI, Mariah was active in state government, serving as a page for the Louisiana House of Representatives and as a Legislative Aide for former Senator Blade Morrish of Jennings, assisting the Senate Committee on Education. She received her master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Public Policy from LSU in 2020.

• Member Relations Assistant
• mckennar@labi.org

• Vice President
  Government Relations
• patrickr@labi.org | 225-485-8701

• Front Desk Manager

• Communications Manager
• johnstonv@labi.org | 214-334-5666