Board of Directors
Henry Hays
PresidentHenry Hays, a visionary CEO and co-founder of DisruptREADY, spearheads a cutting-edge business intelligence firm focusing on emerging technologies, specially Artificial Intelligence. As co-founder and CEO of DisruptREADY, Hays leads the effort to make AI simple and effective for business executives. To date, DisruptREADY has built custom Large Language Models (LLMs) in banking, healthcare, commercial real estate, state government, retail and chemical companies. As an Adjunct Professor at LSU’s Roger Ogden Honors College, he imparts his expertise by teaching courses on AI and LLMs, shaping the minds of future innovators. Globally sought after, he delivers keynote speeches on Disruptive Innovation. Before founding DisruptREADY, Hays played a pivotal role in developing the commercial facet of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, a company that was acquired for $3.5 billion in cash in 2014. His multifaceted experience and entrepreneurial leadership continue to fuel advancements in tech and business strategy.
Sherry Swanner
SecretaryA native of Tyler, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana, Sherry Lewis Swanner is lifelong educator with a commitment to serving others, particularly students and youths. She graduated from Captain Shreve High School in 1973 and from Louisiana Tech 1976 with a Bachelor of Art in English Education. Ms. Swanner worked as a legislative assistant for the State Board of Regents from 1978-1981, then taught English at Trafton Academy from 1981-1988. In 1993, she returned to the classroom and taught English at Episcopal High School (1993-2008) and the Dunham School until her retirement in 2022. An active member of her church, The Chapel on the Campus, she served as assistant director of the Children’s Ministry as well as participating in other ministries for women, college students, and international missionaries. She also volunteered at a local school, Wildwood Elementary as part of the church’s outreach efforts. Ms. Swanner and her husband of forty-three years, John, have three children, Matthew, Allyson, and Sean (married to Meredith) and two grandchildren, Gibson and Harper. Together, they enjoy traveling, especially to Ireland and New England.
Craig Westerman
Treasurer
Col. Deron Frailie, USAF (Ret.)
DirectorFollowing graduation from Louisiana State University, and subsequent distinction as a Distinguished Graduate from Air Force ROTC, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force in 1997. He completed 13 different assignments over a successful 23 year career that culminated in rank as a Colonel. During his career, he was competitively selected to attend Virginia Tech, the US Naval War College’s Command and Staff College and the prestigious National War College where he earned Master degrees from each institution. Other career highlights include service as the Command Engineer and Chief, Plans, Capabilities and Strategic Access at US Transportation Command as well as the privilege of being in command of two civil engineer squadrons. Additionally, he completed three combat deployments where he supported conventional and special operations forces’ in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and six other countries in the Middle East as well as two deployments to the Republic of Korea.
Following completion of his military service in 2020, he worked for a private architecture-engineer company, then the Department of Justice, an aerospace company and now in construction for Brasfield & Gorrie. He has led multiple complex, highly technical design and construction projects. To date, he has been responsible for capital design and construction projects valued at more than $1.25 billion dollars.
He has been married for 23 years and is blessed to be girl Dad to their three amazing daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys reading history and biographies, swimming and road biking as well as chasing their Wheaton Terrier and Maltipoo, around their home and backyard.
Larry Martin
DirectorLarry Martin is a proud native of Baton Rouge, LA who has achieved a successful career in Engineering and Project Management in the oil and gas, chemical and energy industries. Currently serving as the Manager of Engineering at Cajun Engineering Solutions, Larry continues to pursue his passion in mentoring young engineers and helping middle career team members in honing the skills needed for promotion and continued upward career progression to enable their potential to be fully realized. In addition to establishing a well-respected reputation of stewarding teams to consistently deliver projects that meet or exceed client expectations, Larry is driven by the desire to earn trust through honesty, integrity, and transparency. Larry is blessed to be married to the love of his life, Suzette, and together they are immensely blessed with four extraordinary children, Landon, Holden, Juliana, and Charlotte. Through his life, he has been a coach, a trusted friend, a deacon at his church, and a consistent source of encouragement and advice