Staff

Foundation Staff

Foundation staff members left to right, Tamara Bello, Rachel Baio, Chris Spencer, Tracie Wharton, Violet Frost, Bob Carrell, Kelly Johannessen and Rebecca Herin.

Chris Spencer President/CEO

Rachel Baio Director of Accounting

Tamara Bello Accounting Assistant Chris Spencer was named the Foundation’s president and CEO in February 2021; he previously served as a development officer since 2017. Chris earned a B.A. from UNC Chapel Hill and an MBA from the LSU Executive MBA Program. Prior to joining the Foundation, he served as a small business banker, private banker and regional communications manager during a 24-year career with JPMorgan Chase. He is a member of First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, where he is a Sunday School class leader and has served in several other leadership roles, including church council chair.

Rachel Baio started with the Foundation in 2010, and handles the Trust and Accounting operations. She earned a B.S. and an MBA from Southeastern La. University and has over 30 years’ experience in Accounting and Management. She attends The Mission Church in Hammond and is a greeter on the Serve Team. She also loves spending time with her two grandchildren.

Tamara Bello joined the Foundation in 2002, bringing with her more than 20 years of accounting experience. She earned an A.S. in Accounting from BRCC and was commissioned as a Notary Public in 2011. Tamara is also a certified Master Gardener and a catechist at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Baton Rouge for confirmation candidates.

Bob Carrell Development Officer North Louisiana

Foundation Staff

Bob Carrell earned a B.A. from the University of Houston in Russian Studies, attended graduate school at the University of Kansas, and earned an M.A. in National Security Affairs (Soviet Union) from Naval Postgraduate School. He served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force and over three years as a personal financial planner before joining the Foundation in 2001. He assists church leaders, pastors and donors with all Foundation services, with an emphasis on planned giving. He has served as Stewardship Committee and Endowment Committee Chairs and has completed Disciple Classes I through IV at his church, First United Methodist Church of Bossier City.

Violet Frost Office Manager

Rebecca Herin Communications Intern Violet Frost is the first person you see when you visit the Foundation office. She joined the staff in 2012 as the office manager, dealing with day-to-day operations, managing the building and administrative support. A native of Illinois, Violet has lived throughout the states and traveled globally. She is a member of First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge.

Rebecca Herin is a third-year LSU student working toward a bachelor’s degree in mass communication with a focus in public relations and a minor in business administration. A Baton Rouge native, Rebecca completed over 200 hours of community service through her former high school, St. Joseph’s Academy. Rebecca serves as the communications intern for the Foundation and is also representing LSU in the national 2022 Bateman Case Study Competition, which features public relations students from over 75 universities. Rebecca expects to graduate from LSU in the spring of 2023.

Kelly Johannessen joined the staff in 2003 and is responsible for all publications and communications, as well as event planning and website development. She graduated in 1983 from LSU with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Spanish. Before joining the Foundation, Kelly worked in professional services marketing and event planning for 20 years. Kelly and her husband, Bob, serve on the Church Council and Hospitality Committee at First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge.

Kelly Johannessen Director of Communications

Tracie Wharton Controller Tracie Wharton joined the Foundation in 1999 to coordinate the loans and grants programs. In 2001, she assumed the role of Controller. She is a CPA with over 30 years’ experience in banking and finance. A native of Baton Rouge, Tracie is a longtime member of First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge and a Past President of United Methodist Women. She and her husband, Tré, teach Disciple Bible Study and serve on the Lagniappe Country Walk to Emmaus Board.