Board of Directors
Seated, l to r: Israel Syria, Kenneth Zackary, Ronald Darby, Jagdish Gupta, Nelson Arceneaux, Linda Loyd Standing l to r: Derek Bisig, Winnie Broussard, Calvin Broussard, Dianne Granger, Sanders J. Senegal, Laurita Pete, Glenda Woods, Cora Vital.
Not pictured: Anna Campbell, Edwin Ray, Shirley Schexnider, Ann Washington
Acadia Parish
Nelson Arceneaux, Chaplain - Mr. Arceneaux was born and raised in Crowley. He is a retired office machines technician who served twelve years on the Acadia Parish Police Jury and nine years as Crowley City Councilman. He has four children and eleven grandchildren. Mr. Arceneaux is a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Active in St. Theresa's Church, he is a member of the St. Joseph Society and serves as altar server, proclaimer, Eucharistic Minister, and assists the pastor at funerals.
Dianna Granger - Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Mrs. Granger now resides in Rayne, La. with her husband, Hercules. She is the Assistant Director of the J & K Hope Center in Rayne. She serves on the Personnel and Board Training Committees of the ASSIST Board of Directors. She has four children. Her love of children keeps her active as she volunteers reading in classrooms, working in the library, and member of the parent association at her children's school. She is currently the President of the National Association of University Women, Rayne Branch and has served as the Corresponding Secretary and Recording Secretary and on the South Central Necrology Committee, and the ByLaws Committee. She has been recognized by the NAUW as Woman of the Year for 2003 - 2005 and Outstanding Parent of the Year 2001-2002. Mrs. Granger has also been involved in the Board of Directors for Region VI Head Start Association, Acadia Parish School Board Head Start Policy Council, Louisiana Head Start Association Board of Directors, and the Acadiana Regional Coalition on Homelessness and Housing.
Laurita Pete
Sanders J. Senegal
Israel Syria, Parliamentarian
Ann Washington - Ms. Washington has been a lifelong resident of Rayne. She is a retired school teacher with the Acadia Parish School Board. She enjoys spending time with her children, grandson, and other family members.
Vermilion Parish
Calvin Broussard, Jr.
Winnie Broussard
Anna Campbell
Ronald J. Darby, President - Mr. Darby is a lifelong resident of Vermilion Parish. He is married to Gaynell Darby and they have seven children and fourteen grandchildren. He is employed by Cox Communications as a technician. His community involvement includes currently serving as Vermilion Parish Policy Juror, Herod Village Board of Directors, NAACP Board, and is president of the La. Police Jury Black Caucus. He has served on the Council on Aging Board, Vermilion Credit Union, and Fire/Police Civil Service Board. He has been an Elder with Lighthouse for Jesus Ministry since 1991 and also works with the youth of the church.
Jack "Jagdish" Gupta, Vice-President
Shirley Schexnider - Mrs. Schexnider was born and raised in Kaplan. Married to the late Doris Schexnider, they had 3 children who have given her seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She is currently employed by La Musee de Kaplan. She has served in many capacities for the Lejeune Boudreaux American Legion Auxiliary and currently serves as Chaplin. Mrs. Schexnider is also a member of the Altar Society. She has served her community as a member of VFW 2793 Ladies Auxiliary, TRIAD, RSVP, Catholic Daughters of America, Kaplan AARP, KayCee Auxiliary, Vermilion Council on Aging, Cajun Area Agency on Aging, La. Rural Health Clinic Board, Eucharistic Minister and is the first woman to serve on the Kaplan Civil Service Board.
Jefferson Davis Parish
Derek Bisig - Born and raised in Jennings, La., Mr. Bisig represents Jeff Davis Parish on the ASSIST Board. He works for the 31st Judicial District Public Defenders Office. In his leisure time he enjoys gardening, running, and reading.
Edwin Ray
Cora Vital
Glenda Woods
Kenneth Zackary, Treasurer
Vera Abraham - Mrs. Abraham was born and raised in Jennings. She was married to the late Barnard Abraham. Although retired from teaching with the Jeff Davis Parish School Board, she still works part time with the Parent Center with the School Board and is a member of the Summer Feeding Program for Children. She is an advisory member of the Jeff Davis Parish Head Start Program, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Jeff Davis Parish, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Foster Grandparents. Mrs. Abraham is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Jeff Davis Parish Council on Aging. She is a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, where she serves as president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and is a member of the St. Peter Claver Court 132 Ladies Auxiliary, and the 4th Degree Hebert F. Shuster. She is a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Jeff Davis Parish, the Grambling Alumni Chapter of Jeff Davis Parish, the American Legion Unit 520, the National Association of University Women, the Red Hat Society, and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Mrs. Abraham loves working with people and in her spare time she likes to work in her yard.