KATHY WYATT – DIRECTOR
Kathy Wyatt is the Director of the Louisiana Tech University Technology Business Development Center. She works with state and local economic development agencies to support business development and growth in north Louisiana. She is a mentor for Louisiana Tech University business plan competitors and student-owned businesses. Kathy is a Kauffman Foundation certified FastTrac program facilitator and administrator. She served as the Louisiana Tech Small Business Development Center Director from March 2003 to September 2006.
Prior to joining Louisiana Tech University, Kathy was Community Development Director for the City of West Monroe, Louisiana. She worked at the Northeast Louisiana University Small Business Development Center during and immediately following her college studies. Kathy received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Northeast Louisiana University. While attending college, Kathy owned a business that provided employment for up to 5 part-time workers.
COOPER COCHRAN – PROJECT COORDINATOR
Cooper Cochran serves as Project Coordinator for the Technology Business Development Center. Cooper assists with special programs and project administration and delivery.
Prior to Louisiana Tech University, Cooper was the director of the LSUS Small Business Development Center. Cooper received his bachelor’s degree from Northeast Louisiana University and received his commission in the US Army. After completing two years of active military service, he remained in the US Army Reserve for more than 28 years retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Cooper’s 30 years of business background include experience managing multiple retail operations, serving as comptroller, industrial engineer, and as a plant manager of a manufacturing firm.
NIKKI SCHEUERMANN – STAFF
Nikki Scheuermann is the Rural Energy Program Assistant and works with TBDC on the USDA’s Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP). Nikki earned her M.A. in English, with a concentration in Technical Writing, as well as her B.A. in Psychology from Louisiana Tech University, and is now pursuing a B.S. in Agricultural Business in addition to a Graduate Certificate in Rural Development. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Nikki lives in Ruston with her husband and two children.
BRANDON LAWRENCE – STAFF
Brandon Lawrence is from Greenwood, LA, a tiny town between Shreveport and Texas. He is a sophomore in Business Management. He is the Vice President of the LA Tech Paintball Association and enjoys the outdoors. He plans on pursuing his M.B.A. after graduating in the spring of 2012. His job at the Technology Business Development Center is to assist in providing services to clients and other general tasks for the office. He prides himself in doing his very best to further the mission of the TBDC.
LISA PLAISANCE – STAFF
Lisa Plaisance is from Denham Springs, Louisiana, right outside of Baton rouge. She is a junior accounting major. After attending Louisiana State University her first two years, she moved to Ruston and started attending Louisiana Tech in September 2011. She will graduate with a B.S. in accounting and plans to take her CPA exam in May 2014. She started working at the TBDC in Novemeber 2011. She is the resource coordinator for the TBDC’s Online Network for Entrepreneurs. She also works on keeping the website and facebook page up to date especially regarding events hosted by the TBDC.
MELISSA HALL
Melissa Hall is from Shrveport, LA. Melissa has earned a B.S. degree with a concentration in Biology and a M.S. degree with a concentration in Cell and Molecular biology. She is now working on a Master of Professional Accountancy. Melissa is a member of Beta Alpha Psi. She began working at the TBDC in February 2012.