Home Bank CEO John Bordelon to retire after 45 years

Home Bank, a financial institution based in Lafayette, Louisiana, will transition its top leadership position in January. Darren Guidry is set to assume the role of chief executive officer. He will replace John Bordelon, who is stepping down after a 45-year tenure with the company.

Bordelon has served as the long-time chief executive of the bank. His departure marks the end of a multi-decade leadership era for the organization. Guidry is positioned to take over the reins of the institution’s operations and strategic direction at the start of the new year.

The move occurs alongside several other personnel changes across South Louisiana’s business and nonprofit sectors. Jordan Riggs has joined the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry. He has been hired to serve as the political director. In this capacity, Riggs will lead the group’s statewide political action committee efforts. His prior experience includes work as a digital and public affairs strategist for Comella & Co. in New York. He also previously served as the digital director for the presidential campaign of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

In Baton Rouge, Tia Starr has been appointed vice president of physician practices at Woman's Hospital. Starr comes to the role from Option Care Health, where she worked as a senior operations director. She is the co-founder of Young Ascension Professionals and was the founder of the Ascension Parks Foundation.

New Orleans organizations have also adjusted their staff. Tommy Costales has been promoted to director of technology services at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. He joined the center in 2024 as assistant director of information technology. He brings more than 25 years of experience in managing complex technology systems to his new post.

Legal and banking sectors in the region also saw updates. Gordon Arata added two associates to its New Orleans office: Zak Barhoush and Bella Meystedt. Barhoush previously worked as a summer associate at the firm, researching oil, gas, and banking regulation. Meystedt arrived after internships with the Alliance for Affordable Energy and the Greenville County Public Defenders office in South Carolina. Matthew Slaughter has become a partner in the litigation practice group at Jones Walker in New Orleans. He is licensed to practice in Louisiana and Alabama and represents businesses and high-net-worth individuals as a commercial litigator.

Fran Ortego has been promoted to office manager at the Eunice branch of JD Bank. The Jennings-based bank reports she has ten years of experience there. She previously worked as a loan associate and retail loan support specialist.