Board of Directors

Todd Laborde

President 

Todd was raised in Marksville.  He graduated from Marksville High School in 1982 and enlisted in the United States Navy.  Todd served for six years.  He worked for the US Government as a communications officer, managing communications centers in Embassies as well as overseeing various communications sites throughout Africa.  Todd was also a communications instructor in the Washington D.C. area, training hundreds of new officers for deployment just after 9/11. 

After retirement, Todd was employed by Raytheon Corporation as a government contractor supporting communications officers in the Washington DC region and around the world. Todd purchased KAPB radio in February 2017.  A passion to serve the community has transformed “The Cajun” into a vital cog in the area, providing community information as well as a modern radio station that the parish can be proud of.

Todd is married to Julie Chatelain Laborde of Mansura and has two children, Stephen who has recently relocated to Marksville and Rebecca “Rebel Rebz” Laborde who is the afternoon air personality at the Cajun, based in Tampa.

Polly Campbell

Vice President

Polly Campbell is owner/manager of Moncla Nursery located on one of the historic Moncla family homesteads just 7 miles outside of Marksville. She is the mother of 2 adult children, Sophie & Alex Boudreaux and the eldest of Max & Carol Moncla Campbell. She graduated from high school in Waterloo, Belgium, undergraduate studies at Louisiana College and master’s degree in Educational Administration at UNO.

Polly spent 30 years of her professional career working and serving the community of St. Benard parish. She spent 20 years as a high school French and Biology teacher, Drug Free Schools coordinator and Middle School curriculum coordinator. Just prior to Hurricane Karina, upon retirement from the school board, she was appointed Clerk of Council for St. Bernard parish Council where she received valuable experience in policy making and governmental processes. She was involved in leading a number of community efforts including the St. Bernard Community Playground project, Art in April, St. Bernard Salutes America, the Christmas Parade and the restoration of a major facility for Arc of GNO. She served on the St. Bernard Chamber Executive Board and also as Executive Director of the St. Bernard Community Foundation directing Neighborhood Initiatives post Katrina before re-locating to Moncla to be closer to her family. She taught elementary and high school French at Avoyelles Public Charter before opening her nursery business in Fall of 2021.

Currently, Polly serves as secretary on the ASDD/Silver Lining Board, Activities Coordinator for the Fifth Ward Community Center Board, chair of the Moncla Community Center Board and as a member of both the Marksville Garden Club and CENLA Master Gardeners. She spearheads an anti-litter effort called Love Where You Live which encourages young people to end the littering of our roadways and waterways. And, she recently completed a Culinary Nutrition Expert certification. Polly and her son love where they live and work restoring a 100-year-old family farm next door to the nursery. They VOTE every day for the kind of community they want to live in…one that cares for and provides meaningful opportunities for ALL of its residents…by serving community organizations, picking up trash and educating about health.

Morgan Vandegevel

Executive Director

Morgan Vandegevel became the Executive Director for the chamber in 2023. Prior to this position, she was the Venue Manager at a wedding venue in Creola, LA. She assisted in running rehearsals, keeping wedding timelines running smooth, and managing a staff of five. Morgan is a graduate of Northwestern State University. Majoring in Hospitality Tourism and Managment, Morgan knew that was right where she belonged. Hospitality has given Morgan many rare opportunties, such as working for a hockey team in North Louisiana. Morgan moved to Marksville after graduating in 2020. When she isn't at work, Morgan enjoys spending time with her daughters Emersyn, Averi and boyfriend, Josh. 

Van Roy

Past President

Born and raised in Marksville, Van Roy is the co-owner of Bailey's on the Square, a special event venue located in the historic Bailey Theater. He is also a realtor with Roch Michael Real Estate.  He is currently President of the Rotary Club of Avoyelles and President of the Marksville Chamber of Commerce.  He serves on the boards of the Avoyelles Arts Council and the Avoyelles Society for the Developmentally Disabled. He is a firm believer of community service and feels that it adds to the quality of life for those who live in the city of Marksville and Avoyelles Parish and those who visit here. 

Allison Ravare-Augustine

Past President

A native of Marksville, Allison Ravare-Augustine is the wife of Johnathan Augustine and mother of their ten year old daughter Aleyce.  Allison is a graduate of University of Louisiana at Lafayette and is the director of marketing for Riviere de Soleil in Mansura. She has been an active member of Marksville's Holy Ghost Catholic Church all of her life.

At the young age of 22, when most young adults and couples are planning their futures together, tragedy struck when Augustine lost her first husband to cancer.  Though she had always been an ambitious student and active academically and socially, her loss became a catalyst for a life committed to promoting cancer awareness and serving her community through organizations that speak to her personally.

Allison Ravare-Augustine has a passion for community service!  She has been actively involved with the American Cancer Society for over 20 years, is currently serving as Chairperson for Avoyelles Relay for Life and is the founder and director of the Louisiana Queen of Hope Pageant.  Board member and Past President of the Marksville Chamber of Commerce, past president and board member of the Rotary Club of Avoyelles, President and board member of the Avoyelles Council on Aging, it's clear to see that Augustine truly lives Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self."  She is also the president of the Avoyelles Arts Council, for which she serves as director of the Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival, an annual event she helped found and organize 10 years ago that has become one of Central Louisiana's biggest summer attractions.

Augustine was recognized as the 2018 Avoyellean of the year for her outstanding service to Avoyelles Parish and also recognized as a Louisiana Ambassador by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser for dedication and service to promoting Louisiana Tourism in Avoyelles Parish.

"Central Louisiana is my home and where I have chosen to live and raise my family.  The quality of life here is important to me and I find great joy in working with others to enrich and nurture the lives of others through the work I do in the community."

Donna Desoto

I moved to Avoyelles Parish in 1978 and married James Desoto.  We have one son Blake Desoto, a beautiful daughter-in-law Kelly and two beautiful grandchildren with red hair, Reid and ViVi.  In 2015 I retired from the State of Louisiana with 37 years with the last 23 years as a juvenile probation/parole officer and supervisor.  This was my passion, working with our youth and to make a difference in their life,  I am the Director of Avoyelles Teen Court for 24 years.  This is a program which also allows youth to correct some poor choices and give back to the community.  I have served as president of the Spring Bayou Water District  since 1989 and ensuring that the community has clean drinking water.  I currently serve as board member and secretary of the Central Louisiana Juvenile Detention Authority.  I have been a Rotary Club member for two years and I enjoy giving back to our community.  In the past, I was a CASA Coordinator for Avoyelles Parish and took pride in being the voice for the children in the foster care system.  I am a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a member of the choir and the ACTS Retreats.  Currently, I serve as the Coordinator of the Avoyelles Community & Youth Coalition where our platform is to Reduce Underage Drinking in Avoyelles Parish ages 9-20.  I currently serve as a board member for the Marksville Chamber of Commerce. 

John Gagnard

Past President of the Avoyelles Parish School Board. Serves on the Board of Directors for the Avoyelles Society of the Developmentally Disabled, financial secretary for the Marksville Knights of Columbus, Treasury for the Avoyelles Community and Youth Coalition, CASA Advocate Volunteer, Teen Court Intake Officer, Marksville Lions Club Member, and Woodman of the World Lodge #612 Member.

Chris Barbry

Chris is the Vice President of Facilities at Paragon Casino Resort.  He is responsible for the successful overall direction, administration and coordination of the Facilities department to include environmental services, engineering, maintenance, construction and renovation, exterior grounds and utilities.

Chris has 37 years of management experience; 24 years of it in casino operations. He has served in several capacities throughout his tenure with Paragon Casino Resort F/K/A Grand Casino Avoyelles; including Director of Environmental Services, Director of Engineering, Vice President of Facilities, Sr. Vice President of Facilities/Assistant General Manager and Acting General Manager for varying periods. He also held positions as Vice President and Board Member of the Tunica Biloxi Economic Development Committee. In addition, he played a major role in the $150 million dollar 500,000 sq. ft. expansion project as Chairman of the committee.

Chris attended the University of Nevada where he completed the Reno-Gaming Executive Development Program. He has participated in numerous training programs on and off property including; Paragon’s Management Certification Program and Guest Service Training through the Freeman Group.

• Life long resident of Marksville, La.
• Honorable discharge Louisiana National Guard E-4 Specialist
• Marksville Sr. High graduate
• Wife Emeilie, daughter Jessica and two granddaughters, son Chris Jr.

Jenny Donaghey Beckham

Jenny Donaghey Beckham is an attorney practicing in Marksville, as both a general practitioner focused on Estate Planning & Successions, and as an Assistant DA for the 12th Judicial District. She has been married to Jeremy Beckham for over 20 years, and they have two small children. Jenny is a member of the Bayou des Glaises Baptist Church, and an active member of various local organizations.  In 2013, she returned to her home Parish of Avoyelles after 11 years away, and has a strong desire to see the parish, and the people in it, grow and succeed. Jenny believes the best leaders are those that lead by example, and will never ask others to undertake a task that she herself is not willing to undertake.

Beverly Rachal

Beverly Chapman-Rachal works for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of LA as the Secretary-Treasurer for 8 plus years. Prior to her role with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribal Council, she held several roles at Paragon Casino Resort; Hospitality Manager, Executive Assistant, Entertainment Coordinator and Advertising Coordinator.  A native of Houston, Texas, Rachal moved to Marksville when she was 4 years old where she attended and graduated from Marksville High School. Balancing an active lifestyle of work and family, Rachal currently resides in Marksville, La. with her husband Byron. She has two daughters, Nikki, Lauren and a son, Tad and five grandchildren.