Adam Triplett - Board Vice President

Adam Triplett was raised in Houma and lived there until he moved to Lincoln, NE to attend college at the University of Nebraska. Shortly after graduating from college, Mr. Triplett spent a year on active duty with the U.S. Army after his unit was mobilized in response to Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning home from military service, he attended law school in Michigan at the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he was a member of both the Moot Court and Mock Trial Boards.

Mr. Triplett was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 2008 and is licensed to practice before all State and Federal courts in Louisiana. He is a member of the Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana State, and American Bar Associations. He is also a member of the American Association for Justice (previously the American Trial Lawyers Association) and the Louisiana Association for Justice (previously the Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association).

Mr. Triplett is a recent addition to CASA of Terrebonne, Inc. He is familiar with CASA since he worked closely with the CASA program in Alexandria. Mr. Triplett is eager to work with CASA and help the organization grow. 

Tara Berger - Board Treasurer

Tara Berger graduated from Nicholls State University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Currently she is working on her Master’s in Business Administration and obtained her CPA license in 2007.

“I wanted to get involved with a local non-profit organization. A former board member informed me of the availability. Once I learned what CASA was all about, I knew it would be a perfect fit.”
Tara has been with CASA of Terrebonne, Inc. for 1 year now. She is currently serving as Board Treasurer. Tara is the wife of Michael Berger and a soon to be mother of their first child. 

Mary Louviere - Board Secretary

Mary Louviere has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Accounting from Nicholls State University. Mary has 15 years of banking experience and is currently a consultant with Lorelei Walker, CPA.

An opportunity to join CASA occurred when Mary’s employer was asked to join the CASA of Terrebonne board. Due to her busy schedule, she was not able to accept the offer, but suggested that Mary pursue the opportunity. Mary felt this was the perfect chance to give back to the community by helping such a wonderful organization.

Mary hopes to bring to CASA her assistance with providing resources to help this organization achieve its goals. Mary is married to a very supportive husband, Gary Louviere and has one daughter, one son and 4 stepsons. 

Sarah Brooke

Sarah Larke Brooke was born and raised in Houma. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Nicholls State University and her Master’s of Social Work from Boston University. After attending graduate school in Boston, Sarah realized that she wanted to return home to work in her own community. At that time, CASA of Terrebonne was looking for an Executive Director and after interviewing, Sarah was offered the position. Once leaving CASA, Sarah pursued more of a clinical position working in New Orleans at the Tulane Drop-In Center, a day center for homeless youth. Hurricane Katrina then occurred and the center had major damage. Sarah was then offered the Social Worker position at the Louis Infant Crisis Center in Houma. From there, Sarah began working at Terrebonne Parish Head Start as the Health/Mental Health Specialist, working with children and families at the Head Start centers. Sarah then moved back to New Orleans and began working at the Children’s Bureau of New Orleans where she is currently working part-time as a clinician working with children and adolescents who have experienced some type of trauma.

Because CASA always stayed close to Sarah’s heart, moving back to Houma gave her the chance to get involved with CASA once more as a board member in January 2011. Sarah states, “I wanted to get involved with an organization that I believe in.” Sarah hopes to bring to CASA her experience of working with CASA as well as knowledge and experience of working with abused and neglected children. 

Jake Bordelon

Dr. Jake Bordelon is a local chiropractor in Houma since 2003. He is married to his beautiful wife Rebecca and has 2 lovely children, Cade and Ryan. Dr. Bordelon is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the Louisiana Chiropractic Association. He is also the team physician for H.L. Bourgeois.

Dr. Bordelon has been with CASA for 5 years and states, “Being a part of CASA is a calling to help the underprivileged and mistreated children in our community. Someone has to be there voice since they are too little to have one of their own.” Dr. Bordelon brings his dedication to the organization and a willingness to help CASA of Terrebonne, Inc. thrive. 

Jennifer Cobb

Jennifer Cobb, also known as Jenny, has been married for 32 years and has 2 children. Jenny has always had a passion to work with children. Because of her husband’s job, Jenny has traveled around the world. While living in Kuala Belait, Brunei, Jenny taught Pre-school for 2 years and also ran her own pre-school in Balikpapan, Indonesia.

Jenny states, “I have always been drawn to children’s charities.” This involvement started when Jenny lived in Venezuela. She belonged to an American organization that raised funds and distributed baby formula to under privileged women and their infants. Once Jenny’s children started school, she would volunteer performing oral testing for children with dyslexia.

Jenny has been volunteering with CASA of Terrebonne close to 11 years. Jenny was a part of the very first training class CASA held and also accepted the first CASA case. Jenny was the advocate on this case for 4 years, until the child aged out of foster care.

“My hope for CASA is that if we all come together as a community and help in our own small way that we can make the lives of children a little better. ‘It takes a village’,” Jenny replies. 

Carl "Buddy" McNabb

Carl “Buddy” McNabb was born and raised in Houma, LA. He is married for 17 years and has three children, Jennifer, Michael and Zachary. Buddy is a graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School and attended Nicholls State University for two years. He has worked in the oilfield for the last 33 years, currently working for Superior Energy Services as an account representative.

Buddy is a former board member of TARC, Terrebonne Association for Retarded Citizens. Buddy recently became a board member with CASA of Terrebonne, Inc. after hearing great things about CASA and feeling that you never waste efforts when helping children. He also has a desire to be a part of a great organization and hopes to add one more person who cares enough to try. 

Merkle "Skipper" Kornegay

Merkle “Skipper” Kornegay is a resident of Houma, LA since January 1948. He is married to the former Hilda Mayet since January 1966. Mr. Kornegay is the father of Elizabeth Fontenot, Kevin Kornegay (deceased) and Charles Kornegay and the grandfather of Taylor, Caden, Chloe and Troy.

Mr. Kornegay is a retired Insurance Agent after a 28 year career in the insurance business. He previously served as President of the Terrebonne Independent Insurance Agent Association and as President of the Louisiana Independent Agents Association (1988). Mr. Kornegay is a former member, President and Kiwanian of the Year of the Houma Kiwanis Club. He is the former President of the Terrier Club at Vandebilt Catholic High School. Mr. Kornegay is also a member since 1969 and Past President (serving in that capacity for a total of 13 years) of the Terre Carnival Club – Krewe of Terreanians, King Terre L, father of Queen Terre XLII, and grandfather of the 2011 Queen Terre LXI. In addition, he is a former member of the Houma-Terrebonne Regional Planning Commission, member since 1973 of the Terrebonne Parish Jury Commission, campaign manager for Judge Timothy Ellender, Judge Randall Bethancourt and Clerk, I. Robert “Bobby” Boudreaux, former member of the Main Branch Advisory Board of the 1st National Bank of Houma and former member of the Board of Directors of the St. Mary Bank.

Mr. Kornegay was brought to CASA with an interest in helping children. He started out with CASA in February 2006 as a volunteer, with later becoming a board member and Chair of the Fundraising Committee. Mr. Kornegay hopes to bring to CASA of Terrebonne a dedication to CASA’s mission and assistance in helping CASA financially secure.  

Kathryn Richard

Kathryn Richard was born in Church Point, LA and has lived in Houma for the past 12 years. Kathryn is the wife to Dustin Richard and the mother to 3 beautiful children. Kathryn obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology from LSU and her Law Degree from the LSU Law Center. Kathryn is currently an attorney with the Duval, Funderburk, Sundberry, Lovell and Watkins Law Firm.

Kathryn is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, American Bar Association and Terrebonne Bar Association. She is also associated with Junior Auxiliary of Houma, the Krewe of Hyacinthians – Float Captain and CASA of Terrebonne Board member.

“Having worked with CASA volunteers in the past while representing clients in child in need of care cases, I got to see firsthand the lifeline and voice that the CASA volunteers provided to the children.”

Kathryn has been on the CASA of Terrebonne Board for 2 years. “As a board member, I hope to ensure that CASA maintains a solid and legal financial foundation so that it can continue to expand in the community helping children.” 

R. Don Ross

R. Don Ross is the Pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Houma since June 2008. Pastor Ross came to Houma after serving 10 years at the Horseshoe Drive UMC in Alexandria and 17 years as the Campus Minister and adjunct faculty member at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette. Pastor Ross was born in Tallulah and grew up in Monroe. He served various churches in West Carroll, Jackson, Bienville, Lafayette, and Iberia Parishes. Pastor Ross obtained he undergraduate degree from USL and seminary degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO. Pastor Ross has been married to Ann Wischmeyer Ross since 1970. They have two children and two grandchildren. Their son lives in Apex, NC and their daughter lives in League City, Texas.

Pastor Ross was the co-founder of the Lafayette Habitat for Humanity. He has done Habitat work in various locations. He has always been a strong support of scouting at all levels and is an Eagle Scout. Pastor Ross is currently a member of the local Kiwanis Club, a member of the Dulac Community Center Board, and now the CASA board. He continues to do board training and consultation with campus ministries. He serves on the LA Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry. His orientation is similar to that of a social worker, especially since that is where his undergraduate work focused. Pastor Ross enjoys walking, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, and travel. He has a general interest in most things. He especially likes learning about people and what they do. Pastor Ross has a passion to help people be their best and to use their varied gifts to enjoy life.

“I was happy to accept my recent position on the CASA Board since I have known of this work for several years. I have had members of my various congregations either serve as volunteers or employees of CASA. I have had conversations with law enforcement, judges, and child workers who have mentioned the importance of the CASA work with children. While I cannot give the time to serve as a volunteer, I do believe that I can be a good advocate for this important work.”

“My experiences as a board member and a staff person with non-profit organizations will be reflected in my perspective and hopefully my contacts will broaden the support for this important work.”