MEET OUR STAFF

Matt Rovira

Matthew has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Leading Health Care of Louisiana for more than 10 years. Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Lafayette, LHCL has assisted the elderly and the developmentally disabled live independent lives and become active members of their communities. Serving clients in 38 parishes, LHCL has grown to be one of Lafayette’s top 25 employers.

Prior to becoming the CEO of LHCL in June of 2008, Matthew served as the Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Disability Affairs from 2005-2008. His office served as a lead agency on the Governor’s Interagency Team for Long Term Health Care Reform.

Matthew has served on the Developmental Disability Council, the Louisiana Election Assistance for Disabilities Advisory Board, the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf, the State Advisory Council for the Office of Citizens with Developmental Disabilities and the Long-Term Care Financing Study Group.

In January of 2018, Matthew was elected to serve a second term as President of the Community Provider Association (CPA). The CPA provides government relations and policy development for long term care community providers throughout Louisiana.

Matthew lives in Lafayette. He earned a B.S. degree in Economics from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He enjoys spending time with his family, long distance running, tennis, trout fishing, and hunting waterfowl.

Blake Theriot

Blake Theriot is a Lafayette native and resident. After completing his undergraduate studies at Louisiana State University in Information Systems and Decision Sciences and earning a Master’s degree in Public Administration he returned to Lafayette to begin his career at Leading Health Care in 2004. Blake is married and has a son. He enjoys spending time with family, outdoor activities and sporting events.

Jennifer Bodin

Jennifer is a knowledgeable and inspirational leader with eight years of experience in Home and Community Based Services. Since 2011, she has served Leading Health Care of Louisiana in a number of increasing roles including Client Care Manager, Director of Staffing, Director of Human Resources, and currently as the Vice President of Client Care. She leads the Client Care support functions including training, policy development and implementation, and ensures all regions are fulfilling client care plans.

Before turning her passion for helping others into a career, Jennifer donated her time and talents to Hearts of Hope (a center that responds daily to those affected by the trauma of sexual violence) and Healing House (a safe place for grieving children who have lost a parent or sibling). Both are local non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting, educating, and enriching the lives of those affected in our community.

Jennifer resides in Lafayette with her husband and two children. They enjoy spending quality time with their family and friends.

Ken Smalling

Ken is a business strategy and communications leader with global experience that spans several industries including health care, information technology, manufacturing, real estate and construction, chemicals and consumer products. As the Chief Strategy Officer for Leading Health Care of Louisiana, the largest, privately-held in-home care services agency in Louisiana, he is responsible for developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining strategic growth initiatives.

Ken has more than 30 years of experience in corporate and government positions. Prior to his current role, he served five years as Global Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for Kimberly-Clark, a $20 billion consumer products company. Prior to joining Kimberly-Clark, he served for five years as Senior Director of Communications for the nation’s third largest homebuilder, Centex Corporation. And for more than 13 years, he served in roles of increasing responsibility for EDS, one of the world’s leading global information technology companies founded by H. Ross Perot.

In the community, Ken serves on the Board of Directors of Healing House, a non-profit focused on support services for children who have lost a parent or sibling.

Having grown up in Alaska and Wyoming, Ken is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys hiking, camping and outdoor sports. He attended Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.

Yvette Guidry

Yvette is the Director of Finance at Leading Health Care with experience that spans several industries including health care, dentistry and oilfield services. She is responsible for all aspects of accounting in all six regions of the company.

In the community, Yvette is active on the CSA committee, an all-volunteer program to promote sports in young adults. She also is a member of the Junior League of Lafayette, an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism. When not at Leading Health Care, Yvette is either singing on stage somewhere, attending youth softball games, ballet rehearsal, silks training or enjoying time with her loved ones.

Stuart Sayes

Stuart joined Leading Health Care in October 2016 when his company, Absolute Care Providers, was acquired by Leading Health Care.  In his role, he oversees Baton Rouge, Thibodaux and Hammond. He is a 1983 graduate of Louisiana State University and has lived in Baton Rouge and Thibodaux most of his life.

Stuart enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, hunting, fishing, hiking, traveling and attending sporting events. Stuart has a genuine passion for caring for people with disabilities and the elderly and is truly proud to be team member of LHCL.

Wendy Gonsoulin

Wendy has devoted her entire professional career to assisting those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With more than 18 years’ experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Leading Health Care, her employer of 15 years. In her years of serving the community, she has overseen and become proficient in numerous programs ranging from children to the adult and elderly. Wendy oversees all DD programs, including CCW and SW and ROW.

Wendy is a University of Southern Louisiana graduate, and enjoys volunteering in activities and events involving the special needs population. In 2016 she had a dream to have a unique and special day devoted to celebrating the successes of those with special needs. The goal was to highlight those successes and encourage those facing obstacles that no dream is too big and no success is too small. With the help and support of Leading Health Care, Festival de Succés was created and has proven to be a huge success as it comes up on its 3rd year. The festival has fostered many smiles and truly personifies the passion Wendy has for the disabled community.

She resides in Carencro, LA with her husband and two children. Wendy enjoys spending time with her family, attending her children’s sporting events, and embracing her love for animals.

Shannon Rider

Shannon joined Leading Health Care in March of 2006 as an Assistant Director. Three years later he moved into the Regional Director’s position. A graduate of McNeese State University, Shannon has lived in the Lake Charles area his entire life.

Before getting involved with the disability community, Shannon’s management experience included managing a golf course, several restaurants, pubs, and a video poker establishment. With more than 15 years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities, Shannon has become a recognized leader in the disability community. Shannon states, “working with our most vulnerable citizens has changed my perspective on life, and I am truly grateful to have such a meaningful job.”

Shannon’s hobbies include tennis, golf, spending time with his nine-year-old son and going to the movies with his family.

Cindy Taylor

Cindy joined Leading Health Care in July 2014 as the Region 6 Director. She is a graduate of Louisiana State University and has lived in the Alexandria/Pineville area all her life. Before joining the LHCL team, Cindy spent her career as the owner/director of North River Counseling/Case Management, the owner/Director of Kid Connection Child Development Center, and as the Director of CASA at the Rapides Children’s Advocacy Center. Cindy enjoys an active life that includes time spent with family and friends and enjoying the great outdoors. She takes pride in her role as leader of the Region 6 team and feels her personal goal to inspire others is being achieved through the impact she is making on the lives of those she touches daily.

Dee Dee Henderson

Dee Dee is originally from Northeast Texas, but Baton Rouge has been her home since 2004. She obtained her B.S. in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University and her M.S. in Health Administration from University of Phoenix. Dee Dee joined Leading Health Care in October 2016 following the acquisition of Absolute Care Providers where she served as a Client Care Manager. She also serves as a Fit Member Ambassador of Burn Bootcamp Baton Rouge. In her spare time, Dee Dee enjoys working out, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Tim Costello

Tim is an advocate for senior and veteran in-home care and has more than 10 years’ experience in the in-home caregiver industry. He currently serves as the Director for Senior and Children’s Care for Leading Health Care of Louisiana and has helped hundreds of people live and thrive in their own homes and community. Along with his team, he is responsible for the care and expansion of the senior and children’s division in Lafayette.

In his local Lafayette community, Tim is a Boy Scout Troop Leader, Girls on the Run Coach, Soccer Coach and helped start Festival de Success – a festival that supports the goals and dreams of persons diagnosed with developmental disabilities. He also has served as the President and Secretary of two homeowner associations and is very active in Healing House, a non-profit to committing to helping grieving children who have lost a loved one.

He is the proud father of three children and enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, playing tennis and working out. He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a major in Political Science.

Barrett Boutte

Barrett Boutte is a Registered Nurse and current Director of Nursing for Leading Health Care of Louisiana. In 2006, Barrett obtained a Bachelor’s Degree of Business Administration with an emphasis in Business Management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. The following year, he decided to pursue a nursing career and enrolled at Louisiana State University at Eunice. Over the next three years he completed the nursing program there, and in 2010, became a Registered Nurse.

Barrett began his nursing career as an emergency room nurse at Dauterive Hospital in New Iberia, Louisiana. Over the course of the next four years, Barrett gained vital hands-on experience in this critical care setting. He was certified in several trauma program including; Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Neonatal Resuscitation. He gained a wealth of knowledge and skills during his tenure as an emergency room nurse at Dauterive Hospital. In 2012, he concurrently became employed with Total Support Medical Staffing as a travel nurse working in a vast array of emergency rooms throughout the Acadiana area.

In June of 2014, he accepted the position as the Director of Nursing for Leading Health Care of Louisiana. He thoroughly enjoys being able to make a difference in the lives of the clients we serve. He believes in empowering our Direct Service Workers with the knowledge and training that is necessary to be successful in the clients’ homes.

Barrett grew up in New Iberia, Louisiana, but moved to Youngsville, Louisiana where he now resides with his wife Brittany and their two daughters. He is actively involved in the community, coaching several different sports for his daughters’ teams. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, fishing, exercising, and spending quality time with his family and friends.

Julie Guilliot

Julie is a graduate of UL. She obtained her insurance license in 2004. Following her passion for serving others, she has been certified by the corporation of long term care (CLTC) and obtained the certified senior advisor (CSA) designation. Julie is also currently serving on the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Board. She was honored as NAIFA’s New Advisor of the year in 2010, served as President of NAIFA and was chosen as NAIFA’s Advisor of the year in 2018. She is a member of Acadiana Area Kappa Delta Alumnae Association and currently serves as Chairman of the UL Kappa Delta Council Advisory Board.

A New Orleans native, Julie now makes her home in Lafayette with her husband, Daniel and their two children, Ellie and Owen. In her spare time Julie enjoys fishing, yoga and spending time with her family.

Lea Boudreaux

Lea Boudreaux is a strategic human resources leader who brings a spirit of service to her work with clients and employees. As Director of Human Resources for Leading Health Care of Louisiana, she focuses on organizational development and talent management initiatives that drive progress and empower employees to succeed.

Dedicated to building relationships within the local community, Lea serves on the Board of Directors of the Acadiana Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and works closely with the local student chapter as College Relations Director to advance the next generation of human resources professionals.

Lea earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She obtained a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Angelo State University, where her graduate research and consulting projects focused on functional areas of performance appraisal, job analyses, and personality assessment. She has held a SHRM-CP certification (SHRM Certified Professional) since 2016. A native of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, Lea is a Cajun culture enthusiast and enjoys local festivals and activities.

Farah Cormier

Farah is a graduate of UL. She obtained her degree in Child and Family Studies. Shortly after college Farah went into case management where she was a Support Coordinator for developmentally disabled individuals who utilized PCA agencies. After realizing her heart was more into servicing these individuals and their families, she decided to join the best PCA agency around, Leading Health Care. Farah started with LHCL as a Client Care Manager in 2013 and blossomed in her career path. In 2017 Farah was promoted to Assistant Director of the Senior and Child Care Department. Farah has a true passion for helping people live their best life in the comfort of their own home.

Farah is a native of Rayne and continues to reside there with her husband, Matt and their two children, Annalee and Collan. In her spare time Farah enjoys cooking, traveling and spending quality time with her family.

Ashley Porche

Ashley joined Leading Health Care in December 2018 as Director of Region 3. Prior to joining Leading Health Care, Ashley managed outpatient medical practices in the Raceland/Lockport area. She is a 2016 graduate of the University of Phoenix with a Master’s in Health Administration and a focus on Sustainability Management. Ashley has studied Process Improvement extensively and enjoys the challenge of increasing efficiencies in all aspects of her professional and personal life. When not at work, Ashley enjoys spending time with her children and working on home-improvement projects. Priding herself as a strong servant leader, Ashley eagerly embraces the opportunity to support and achieve goals alongside of her team, as well as the clients of Region 3.