Association Leadership
President
Tommy Byler, Superintendent, Vermilion Parish Public Schools
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Mr. Byler was named the Superintendent of Schools in Vermilion Parish in August of 2020. He previously served as the principal of North Vermilion High School. Byler previously served the district as a teacher, coach, and assistant principal in his 33 year career. In 2018, Byler was named the Louisiana State Principal of the Year. In his role as a principal he also served as the president of the Louisiana Association of Principals and as the Vice-President to the LHSAA Executive Committee.
Byler was recognized in his role as a Superintendent as the Region IV and V Superintendent and the Louisiana 4-H Superintendent of the year. He has served on the Superintendent's Advisory Committee, Accountability Task Force and Future of Leap Test Committee.
Vice President
Todd Guice, Superintendent, Ouachita Parish Schools
Todd Guice took office as Superintendent of the Ouachita Parish School System in July 2023. Prior to that appointment, he served the system as Assistant Superintendent and Personnel Director, following 13 years as Principal of Ouachita Parish High School and Ouachita Jr. High School. Todd is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Monroe where he earned his bachelor’s degree in education and his master’s degree and master’s +30 in Educational Leadership.
During his tenure in the system, Mr. Guice has won several awards for leadership and served in various capacities in the district and in leadership roles in state organizations including serving as President of the LHSAA. He has been a requested presenter at the state and national level. He serves his community in various capacities of community organizations always looking for ways to help.
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Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Edith M. Walker, Superintendent, Ascension Public Schools
Dr. Edith M. Walker serves as Superintendent of Ascension Public Schools, an A-rated school district serving almost 24,000 students across 33 schools.
A native of White Castle, Louisiana, Dr. Walker is a 28-year veteran educator with 24 years of service in Ascension Parish. Prior to her appointment as Superintendent in 2023, she served as Chief Instructional Director, leading the district's Pre-K through 12 instructional programs and academic initiatives.
Under Dr. Walker's leadership, Ascension Public Schools has focused on strengthening relationships with business and industry partners, expanding student and teacher voice through advisory councils, increasing support for struggling learners, enhancing mental health services, advancing STEM education pathways, and improving teacher compensation to remain competitive among Louisiana's top-performing districts.
A respected educational and community leader, Dr. Walker serves on the Louisiana Department of Education Superintendent Advisory Committee, the Ascension Early Childhood Ready Start Network, and the Ascension Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, where she has served as both Vice Chair and Chair. In 2026, she was recognized by the Baton Rouge Business Report as one of the region's 500 Most Influential and Impactful Leaders.
Dr. Walker holds a bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing, a master's degree in Counseling and Administration, and an Educational Specialist degree in Adolescent Counseling from Louisiana State University. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Immediate Past President
Jeff Powell, Superintendent, Rapides Parish Schools
Mr. Powell began his teaching career in Grant Parish. He then moved into various administrative roles in Rapides Parish before becoming the Director of Middle and Magnet Programs in the district. Mr. Powell took the position of Chief Academic Officer in Iberville parish before returning home to serve as the Superintendent of Rapides Parish in 2019.
Mr. Powell graduated from Northwood High School and has been a resident of Rapides parish for over 27 years. He served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for six years and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from LSU in Baton Rouge. He then earned his Teacher Certification and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northwestern State University.
His innovative leadership style has brought Rapides Parish Public Schools to their highest achievement levels under the state’s current accountability system. Mr. Powell’s intentional work to expand literacy outreach efforts, workforce development plans, and student achievement have all contributed to his positive impact in our community and around our state.
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