STATE OF THE CITIES
with
Mayor Friday Ellis, City of Monroe
Mayor Staci Mitchell, City of West Monroe
SHRM creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together which correlates to future plans and goals of the Mayors of Monroe and West Monroe. Join us for our April meeting as we hear from the Mayors of the Twin Cities.
A portion of all NELA SHRM meetings directly fund college scholarships for students at ULM, Grambling and Tech.*
Pictured Above: Mayor Friday Ellis
Pictured Above: Mayor Staci Mitchell
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Mayor Friday Ellis
Mayor Friday Ellis was born in rural Rayville, Louisiana. Friday decided to settle in Monroe and that’s where he met his wife, Ashley. They married in 2001 and like many Americans, their lives were greatly impacted by the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Just two months later, Friday enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to serve his country in its time of need.
After his service, he stepped out on faith and pursued his passion of cigars, opening Governors Cigar and Pipe, a brick-and-mortar retail establishment. But Friday did not stop there; he traveled to Nicaragua, partnered with a well-respected cigar factory, and produced his own line of cigars-the highly sought-after Governor and First Lady. His cigars have been sold to customers around the world.
Mayor Ellis is an advocate of entrepreneurship and business growth. He encourages community and civic development and involvement at local and state levels.
Mayor Ellis is a graduate of Louisiana Leadership. In 2019, he was named Free Enterprise Champion by the Louisiana Business and Industry and is a 2022 graduate of the Delta Leadership Institute. Locally, he was recognized as Monroe’s Professionals Top 20 Under 40.
Mayor Ellis and First Lady Ashley have three children: Friday III, Asher, and Aurie. All three children attend Monroe City Schools. First Lady Ellis was elected to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. She represents District 5 and serves in a leadership role for BESE.
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Mayor Staci Mitchell
Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell was elected to the position of Mayor of the city of West Monroe in 2018. She is proud of the accomplishments that have been made and how the community has been so involved. Improvements have been made in Public Safety, Infrastructure projects, Quality of Life and Economic Development. For example, downtown West Monroe has had more than $10 million in private investment since Staci’s administration began.
More than 25 years of owning and running a successful, small business combined with 11 years of local government experience gives Staci the right experience to do the job of Mayor. Staci is not comfortable with the status quo and works hard every day to make West Monroe a better place for residents and businesses.
In addition to serving as Mayor, Staci has demonstrated her love of West Monroe by working tirelessly in our community. Staci has served as Chairman of the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, a past president of the West Monroe Kiwanis Club, a founding member of the Downtown West Monroe Revitalization Group, a director of the WMHS Foundation, past president of the Cancer Foundation League, a member of West Monroe Quota Club, an active member and Sunday School teacher at First United Methodist Church of West Monroe, a board member for Ouachita River Valley Association and serves on the board for Glenwood Regional Medical Center.
Staci has a degree in Agricultural Economics from Louisiana State University. She is married to Jay Mitchell who is an Assistant District Attorney for the Fourth Judicial District Attorney, Steve Tew. They have 4 grown children and four precious grandchildren.
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*Registration fee is the same for in-person and online only. Registration includes catered lunch and beverage. Zoom link will be emailed one day prior to the meeting.
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