Board of Directors
Founded in 1993, Christwood is a not-for-profit community dedicated to providing you with exceptional service. We continually reinvest in our services and amenities, adapting and evolving to meet residents' changing need and interests. Moreover, we're governed by a 16-member Board of Directors made up of leaders in our local community, many of whom you may know.
Robert H. Barnes, M.D.
Robert H. Barnes, M.D., is a retired general surgeon. Dr. Barnes was a member of the American Board of Surgery, American College of Surgeons. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas and his graduate degree from Tulane Medical School. Dr. Barnes has been a Christwood resident since October 2008.
Allen Catalanotto
Allen Catalanotto, member of the Finance Committee, Investments and Branch Manager Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. BA degree from University of New Orleans, and MBA from the University of Central Florida. He has forty years of experience in the financial service industry.
Chandler Craig
Chandler Craig has been a banker for over 30 years, the last 15 years as
President of Resource Bank. He has a
Finance Degree and MBA from Loyola University.
Richard W. Cryar
Richard W. Cryar, Member of the Finance Committee, is a Managing Member of F.M. Reed Company, a management
consulting firm focused on assisting companies, senior and mezzanine lenders
and private equity investors in improving performance and achieving
short/long-term goals. He has over 37
years of experience in the fields of financial management, financing,
investing, and acquisition and divestiture.
Mr. Cryar is a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive), Chartered Global
Management Accountant and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana Tech
University.
Paul Dennis
Paul Dennis, Vice President of Christwood and member of the Executive Committee, has 28 years of experience in specialty chemicals industry. Paul became President of Gaylord Chemical in 2003. He was the leader of a management buyout of the company in 2007 and is now the majority owner of the business. Paul has a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tennessee.
David Duplantier, Esq.
David Duplantier, Esq., retired as the Senior Council, Chevron U.S.A in 2011 after 26 years of service. He received his B.S. in Finance from LSU and his Juris Doctor Degree from Loyola University.
Patti Ellish, FACHE
Patti Ellish, Retired St. Tammany Parish Hospital President and CEO, Patti Ellish has transformed a small community hospital into a thriving regional medical center. Under her leadership, the facility tripled in size to serve one of the fastest growing parishes in Louisiana. Ellish is a fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives, past chair of Metropolitan Hospital Council of New Orleans, board member of Louisiana Hospital Association and Northshore Healthcare Alliance and member of Northshore Business Council and Women’s Leadership Council of Greater New Orleans. She has earned regional and national recognition including YLC Role Model, Top 10 Female Achievers, New Orleans CityBusiness Woman of the Year, including its Hall of Fame and in 2017 she was named as one of the top 130 female healthcare leaders to know by Becker’s. Ellish is married and lives in Covington, LA, they have two children and one grandchild.
Michelle O. Gallagher, Esq.
Michelle O. Gallagher, Esq., President of Christwood and a member of the Executive Committee, is a partner in the law firm of Braud & Gallagher, LLC. She has practiced law in Louisiana since her admission to the bar in 1995. She attended Louisiana State University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1991 and a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1995. She previously served as a Board Member of the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana. She is a member of the American Association for Justice, Louisiana Association for Justice, and the Louisiana Bar Association.
Beverly Baker Gariepy
Beverly Baker Gariepy, Finance Committee Member, has been working in Louisiana Municipal and Parish Governments in leadership roles with duties primarily focused on financial management and planning that has included the areas of Human Resources, Disaster Recovery, IT, Grant Administration, Facilities Management, Risk Management, Health and Human Services, Retirement and Animal Control. She has a BA in French from Newcomb College, Tulane University and an MBA from the University of New Orleans. In addition, she has taken numerous Government Financial Officers (GFOA), Louisiana Economic Development (LIDEA) and FEMA training classes.
Judge John W. Greene
Judge John W. Greene, was Elected Judge, Division D, 22nd Judicial District Court in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes and served from 1976 to 1997. He was appointed as Judge ad hoc on the 1st and 5th Circuit Courts of Appeal and is serving as ad hoc Judge by appointments from the Louisiana Supreme Court. Judge Greene founded the Youth Service Bureau serving St. Tammany and Washington Parishes youth and families in need of services and served as its Board Chairman and various other offices. He has a BS in Finance from Louisiana State University and J.D. LSU Law Center.
