Gretna Economic Development Association – GEDA
Over 30 Years!
Gretna Economic Development Association Projects:
- Gretna Fest
- Gretna Farmer’s Market and Art Walk
- Ringing in the Arts
- Irish Italian Parade
- Quarterly Business Mixers
- Quarterly “Get Betta with GEDA” workshops
- Annual Luncheon with the Gretna City Council
Gretna Economic Development Association Board Members:
Renee Ferrera, President
Renee served 3 years as Vice President for GEDA, then stepped into the role of President in 2025. She has been a Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty, Gretna office for nearly two decades. Additionally, she is an Assistant Team Leader and Productivity Coach. Prior to her real estate career, Renee worked as Vice President in Public Finance/Institutional Sales with Legg Mason for 20 years. In addition to her current role, she held various leadership positions with the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors, Women’s Council of Realtors and Keller Williams. Renee holds a degree in Business Administration and graduated from Archbishop Blenk High School. Living in Gretna for over two decades, Renee is a proud mother of one son, Chris Ferrera.
Don Hendrix, Vice President
Don is an Electrical Engineer with over 25 years of expertise in the oil and gas industry, encompassing upstream, midstream, and downstream projects. A graduate of Louisiana Tech University , Don has held leadership roles managing engineering teams, multimillion-dollar projects, and safety-critical systems at leading organizations, including Shell and Audubon Engineering. As a Professional Engineer, Don combines his technical expertise with a proven track record of mentorship, innovation, and operational excellence.
Don resides in Old Gretna with his wife and two daughters, where he has been an active member of the community. For over a decade, he has volunteered with Gretna Fest, contributing to its success and local engagement. Additionally, Don dedicates his time as a pilot for a local Civil Air Patrol squadron based at Lakefront Airport, where he supports post-disaster relief efforts and mentors young cadets in STEM and aviation-related pursuits.
Don is honored to join the GEDA Board and looks forward to continuing his commitment to supporting his local community.
Michael Laughlin, Treasurer
Michael has over 10 years of experience in Banking, starting his career in retail banking before transitioning into Middle Market Banking at Hancock Whitney. Currently, he serves as Vice President, Commercial Banking at Red River Bank, a position he has held since 2023.
Michael is actively involved in his community, serving on the Board of Lambeth House Foundation and as Board Vice-Chair of CASA Jefferson. He is excited to join the GEDA Board as Treasurer for 2025 and connecting with community members and local businesses that continue to make Gretna great.
A lifelong Westbank resident, Michael has lived in Gretna for the past three years. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife and three kids, volunteering as a coach for their sports teams, and perfecting his skills in cooking and smoking meat.
Katie Hand, Secretary
Katie moved to New Orleans in 2006 after graduating college. Inspired to contribute to the rebuilding effort following Hurricane Katrina, Katie began teaching high school mathematics in the New Orleans Public Schools, and continued to do so until starting her family in 2014. After taking time off to raise her two young children, Katie has reentered the workforce as a Business Development Representative for True Title, a real estate title company. Katie enjoys supporting Gretna as a member of the board of Westbank ARC and can be found most Saturdays browsing at the Gretna Farmer’s Market.
Joseph Toomy, Parade Chair
B. A. in Economics, Tulane University, 1971
Masters of Business Administration, Tulane University, 1973
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Executive Administrative Officer, City of Gretna, 1976-1981
Delgado Community College, 1981-2000 (Retired as Vice Chancellor of Administrative Affairs)
Insurance Broker, 2000-present
PUBLIC SERVICE
Elected Delegate, Louisiana Constitutional Convention, 1973
Member, Jefferson Parish School Board, 1974-1983 (President, 1977)
Louisiana State Representative, 1984-2008 (Chairman, Judiciary Committee, 1992-2008)
Commissioner, Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans, 2009-2014 and 2019-2024 (Chairman, 2013, 2023, and 2024)
COMMUNITY and CIVIC
Life Member and Past President, David Crockett Volunteer Fire Company
Vice President, Patrons of the Arts for the Vatican Museums of the South
Member, Algiers Development District Board, 2014-2018
Chairman, City of Gretna Redevelopment Committee, 2017-2018
Monica Naquin, Farmer’s Market Chair
Born and raised in Gretna
35 years in banking industry
Retired from Capital One
Active volunteer in Gretna projects
Gretna Marketplace Coordinator for 5 years
Gretna Historical Society Board Member for 5 years
Travis Eden, Member At Large
Travis Eden has been a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones since 2018. His office is located on Huey P. Long Ave. in Gretna. Prior to Edward Jones, Mr. Eden spent 20 years as a Sales Manager at The Times-Picayune/Nola.com. He received a B.S. in Marketing from LSU. In addition to being a member of GEDA, he is also a member of the Italian-American Society of Jefferson and the Gretna No. 2 Dad’s Club. Currently, he lives in Gretna with his wife Beverly and their four children. In their spare time we enjoy going to LSU football and baseball games.
Scott Tucker, Executive Director
Jessica Smith, Member At Large
I have proudly served as a legislative assistant to Representative Vincent Cox III for over two years. In addition to my work in public service, I am employed with a defense firm in downtown New Orleans while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in political science. Before joining GEDA, I dedicated over three years as president of the GRID Booster Club at Mel Ott. I truly believe Gretna is the gem of the Westbank, and I am passionate about being involved in organizations that support its growth and success. Above all, I am a wife, mom and bonus mom, and my family continues to inspire and motivate me in both my personal and professional life.
Grayson White, Member At Large
Grayson moved to New Orleans from Portland, OR after over a decade of touring in bands and traveling, ultimately deciding to put down roots closer to family and her beloved hometown of Winnsboro, La. With a background in entertainment marketing in the music industry and also as a small business owner she brings a unique and creative perspective to building community and ways of supporting local business. The community she has built in Old Gretna all started when she moved here in 2017 and didn’t know a soul and went to a GEDA networking event and quickly saw how special this city is. She feels it’s a full circle moment to be given the opportunity to give back and be on the GEDABoard. Life is good in Gretna! She also serves as a board member with GREDI.
Outside of work, she is a travel enthusiast, avid gardener, and can often be found at concerts and live music events.
Amanda Lataxes, Member At Large
Amanda is a full-time Realtor®/Associate Broker serving Gretna, New Orleans, and the surrounding areas. A graduate of Loyola University New Orleans, she spent more than a decade helping local businesses and organizations with their marketing and communications before transitioning into real estate, where she now leverages that experience to strategically position homes for success while providing personalized, detail-oriented service to her clients.
A lifelong Gretna resident, Amanda is proud to call the community home and is raising her family here with her husband, Jessie, and their three children. She also serves on the board of Westbank ARC and is honored to be part of the GEDA Board, where she is passionate about supporting the continued growth and vitality of Gretna.
Ashley Riego, Member At Large