Our Story
PROVIDING INNOVATIVE RESOURCES FOR HIGH TECH START-UP COMPANIES

Nexus Louisiana’s mission is to accelerate the growth of high-potential technology-enabled companies by providing them with coaching, capital and connections. Our programs leverage regional collaboration to foster mentorship, investment, and opportunity for local entrepreneurs to grow their ideas and transform the technology industry in Louisiana.
Our Impact
Nexus Louisiana exists to connect local entrepreneurs to the coaching, capital and connections they need to grow and succeed. Through our mentorship, programming and connections to capital investors, we are helping to create a better, brighter future for the tech industry in Louisiana.
Leadership & Staff
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Calvin MillsAdministrative Management ConsultantSome example text
Calvin Mills Jr. is a nationally award-winning serial tech entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in IT, software and application development, and help desk support. He is the Founder, CEO and president of CMC Technology Solutions, SLT Technology, Inc., and his newest venture HelpIT, Inc., a software and application development company that he plans to take public on the NASDAQ stock exchange.
Calvin is recognized as a dynamic speaker, mentor, philanthropist, small business advocate, and author. He is vested in helping people within the tech sector, especially the next generation of entrepreneurs. Calvin launched a nonprofit called CLIMB (Changing Lives Is My Business) to help give access to technology and its resources to under deserved youth.
Through his companies, Calvin is changing the dynamics of the technology workforce in Louisiana by helping to create Louisiana's first IT apprenticeship program with a focus on cybersecurity and custom training for individuals looking to find employment in the technology field. SLT Technology, Inc. is the only company in Louisiana backed by the global company Oracle for workforce development.
Calvin shares his story of struggle and perseverance in his book "No Secrets to Elevation: An Entrepreneur's Story of Persistence." An accomplished entrepreneur, Calvin is the recipient of the following awards and recognitions:
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Small Business Achievement Award (2006)
- U.S. Small Business Administration Louisiana Minority Small Business Statewide Champion of the Year (2008)
- U.S. Small Business Administration Louisiana Minority Small Business Statewide Champion of the Year (2008)
- 1 of 50 Business Leaders Invited to the White House Business Summit (2016)
- Southern University Excellence in Leadership Award (2017)
- Black Enterprise Magazine BE 100 Modern Man (2018)
- National Small Business Association Board of Trustees Appointment (2019)
- Lew Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year recipient (2019)
- Certificate of Commendation, Mayor-President Sharon Weston-Broome, City of Baton Rouge (2019)
- National Small Business Administration Small Business Advocate of the Year (2019)
- NOLA Tech 30 Honoree
Calvin is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and holds a Bachelor's degree in computer science from Southern University A&M College.
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Stephen LoyExecutive Director
Stephen Loy is an experienced communications and legislative relations professional. He started with Nexus Louisiana as the director of communication in 2004, and was promoted to Executive Director in 2011. Stephen manages the day-to-day operations, developing strategies to attract early-stage companies, and managing one of Nexus Louisiana’s signature programs, Tech Park Academy. Prior to joining the Tech Park, Stephen managed public relations and legislative initiatives for the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association. He began his career with LSU’s Office of Public Relations. Stephen is accredited in Public Relations and is a past President of The Public Relations Association of Louisiana—Baton Rouge Chapter (PRAL-BR). He served as Treasurer of the Southern Public Relations Federation Board of Directors and is a past President of the Louisiana Business Incubation Association. Stephen currently serves on the board of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber (BRAC).
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Na'Tisha NattDirector of Community Engagement
She is passionate about advancing entrepreneurship and helping communities thrive. As the Director of Marketing and Communications she develops comprehensive marketing strategies to drive growth for Nexus Louisiana while creating collaborative relationships with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and community officials. Before joining NexusLA, Na’Tisha was the director of public affairs for Louisiana Housing Corporation, the state’s housing agency dedicated to creating affordable housing solutions for Louisiana residents, and the director of marketing and communications for the Louisiana Small Business Development Center – State Office. A native of Monroe, La., she holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in marketing and mass communication from Southern University and A&M College and received executive training at the University of Notre Dame. She is a 2020 Leadership Baton Rouge alumna, was named a Northeast Louisiana Top 40 Under 40 Young Professional and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
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Kasey FriouxDirector of Operations
Kasey Frioux is the longest tenured employee at Nexus Louisiana and has been with the organization since it was founded in 2001. As the Director of Operations, she manages the 40,000 square foot Tech Park, serves as the liaison for the board of directors, and assists with all entrepreneurial initiatives. Before joining Nexus Louisiana, Kasey had a career in the automotive industry spanning more than a decade and worked for some of the South’s largest dealership networks.
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Sylvia AlanizAccountant & HR Manager
Sylvia Alaniz is an experienced accountant and human resources professional. Committed to serving the community through her work, she takes pride in providing the best customer services possible to our members, partners, and colleagues. As the Accountant and Human Resources Manager, Sylvia’s role includes, but is not limited to grant management, donor tracking, and employee relations. She has an accounting degree from Southeastern Louisiana University.
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Rick MekdessieDirector of Investment Readiness
A seasoned operational executive and strategic entrepreneur with strong technical and business acumen encompassing over 25 years of experience in leadership roles, coupled with a startup mindset.
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Narcisse BurchellPrograms & Events Manager
Named one of Top 25 African American Millennial Publicists in Huffington Post, Narcisse is a passion-driven brand storyteller with a demonstrated history of presenting innovative ideas and customized strategies. On and off social media, this everyday educator shares tips and tricks with an unconventional approach to marketing and motivation. Through event production, she creates an interactive experience which allows brands to connect directly with their target audience and make a huge impact.
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Madeleine NaquinAnalyst & Business Consultant
Madeleine currently works as a Business Analyst & Consultant for Nexus Louisiana to help members in building and scaling their startups.
She has a B.S. from Spring Hill College and an M.S. from LSU. As an undergraduate student, she worked as both a paid on-campus tutor and as a volunteer off-campus tutor for students in middle and high school mathematics. These experiences helped foster her enthusiasm for using her skills to help others, something she gets to do every day in her current position.
In her free time, she enjoys running with local groups, reading, and exploring dog-friendly places in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas with her dog, Betty.
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Kimia GhalebandiMarketing Outreach Specialist
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Parker SneadSmall Business Specialist
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Rich GordonDigital Media Specialist
*Bio Coming Soon
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Analise GonzalezDigital Marketing SpecialistSome example text
With skills in writing, social media marketing, and building interpersonal relationships, Analise is an organized and creative marketing professional. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and a focus in strategic leadership.
A Texas native, Analise has spent a large portion of her life devoted to gymnastics and adventuring. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering with Young Life, traveling with friends, and creating video content.
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Julian HerbertEntrepreneur/ResidentSome example text
Julian started his career in tech product development as a business analyst focused on e-commerce in the semiconductor industry. Following his curiosity, he became a management consultant at Deloitte and led M&A divestiture and integration engagements in a variety of industries, including pharma and biotech.
He then transitioned back into product development and e-commerce at Amazon, launching machine learning solutions for 3rd party sellers on the platform. Julian was also tasked to lead product development for AWS Startups, building their first micro-targeted product line. With another stop in education technology, Julian has found a home as DoseSpot. He leads product innovation, helping the company grow and deliver safe and reliable ePrescribing technology and software integrations across multiple healthcare markets.Julian is originally from Louisiana and graduated as valedictorian from Southern university in Baton Rouge with a B.S in Computer Science. He also has an M.B.A from The Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, focusing on strategy and entrepreneurship. Julian resides in New Orleans with his wife and 2 boys. He currently is active in both the Baton Rouge and New Orleans startup ecosystems as an EIR, strategic advisor, and investor. He enjoys carnival and festival season in Louisiana, beach getaways with his family, and a good book.
Our Board
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Anita Tillman, Chair
CEO, AMcorp International, LLC
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Anita Byrne, Vice Chair
Partner, SSA Consultants
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Brace "Trey" Godfrey III
Senior VP of Policy, Baton Rouge Area Chamber
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Mackenzie D. Rodriguez
Special Counsel & Patent Attorney, Stone Pigman
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Michael Stubblefield, PhD
Vice-Chancellor of Research & Strategic Initiatives, Southern University and A&M College
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Monette Davis
Associate, Stone Pigman
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Robert Twilley
Vice President of Research & Economic Development, Louisiana State University
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Ross Reilly
Vice President of Business Development, Lamar Advertising
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Tedra Cheatham
Executive Director of State Economic Competitiveness (SEC), Louisiana Economic Development (LED); Designee of Louisiana Economic Development
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Terry Landry, Jr.
Policy Director, Southern Poverty Law Center; Designee of Mayor the Mayor-President of the City of Baton Rouge and the Parish of East Baton Rouge
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Dr. Willie E. Smith
Sr. Chancellor, Baton Rouge Community College
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
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