Lafayette, La. (Jan. 27, 2026) –
The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) celebrated the graduation of Katelyn Coombs, Marketing Manager, and Abby Ohrt, Sales Manager of Explore Alexandria Pineville, from the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy (LTLA) at the association’s 2026 Annual Meeting in Lafayette, La.
The twenty-six members of the LTLA class spent all of 2025 developing their leadership skills while learning from seasoned professionals across the tourism industry. The goal of the program is to equip each class with knowledge and skills that will enrich their tourism-related organizations, thereby strengthening the state-wide tourism industry.
“I’m excited to graduate as part of the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy Class of 2025,” said Abby Ohrt, Sales Manager of the Explore Alexandria Pineville. “The program exposed me to new perspectives and strengthened my leadership skills through meaningful conversations with experienced tourism professionals. I know the lessons and connections gained will benefit me for years to come.”
The graduates of the 2025 Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy are as follows:
- Sinella Aghasi, Louisiana Old Governor’s Mansion
- Paige Alost, Natchitoches CVB
- Brandy Aubé, St. Martin Parish Tourism
- Jenny Cardon, Courtyard by Marriott
- Toni Chapman, Visit Lake Charles
Katelyn Coombs, Explore Alexandria Pineville
- Casey Cousins, Global Wildlife Center
- Tori Davis, Experience Ruston
- Gabrielle Dishman, Explore Houma
- Trish Douglas, New Orleans & Company
- Amanda Everett, Hotard Coaches
- Tyler Ginsberg, National WWII Museum
- Anna Graney, Experience Ruston
- Meribeth Huizinga, Lafayette CVC
- Krystle Ivey, Discover Monroe-West Monroe
- Dayna James, Louisiana’s River Parishes
- Kristin Jewel, Baton Rouge Airport
- In Memoriam, Brooke Kidder, Louisiana Office of Tourism
- Meshelle Morgan, Natchitoches CVB
Abby Ohrt, Explore Alexandria Pineville
- Alex Tindall, Visit Shreveport Bossier
- Emily Treme, Visit Lake Charles
- Hollis Walker, Jr., Discover Monroe-West Monroe
- Ian Wallis, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou
- Takasha Weaver, New Orleans & Company
About the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy
The Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy (LTLA) was created to build future tourism leaders, develop their leadership skills, and strengthen their networks, thereby enriching their tourism-related organizations. For more information, visit LouisianaTravelAssociation.org.
