Our Staff

Our Staff

Our Staff

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David R. “Rocky” Rockett, Jr.

Executive Director
David R. "Rocky" Rockett, serves as the Executive Director/President of the Greater Bossier Economic Development Foundation. Since taking over this position in the spring of 2005, the GBEDF has grown exponentially into many different areas to grow jobs, create investment opportunities and work with their existing business partners in Bossier City and Bossier Parish to promote the positive business atmosphere that Bossier is known for.

Rocky is a graduate of LSU, Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma, as well as the Aspen Institute for Non-Profits. His non-profit career commenced when he graduated from LSU to form the Bossier Medical Center Healthcare Foundation as its first executive director for the municipally owned hospital in Bossier. He combines his experience in commercial real estate and construction as a nonprofit director to promote and manage industrial and commercial development in Bossier Parish. He has also been instrumental in creating nearly 5000 new jobs opportunities along with over 2 billion dollars of new projects in the community over the last decade.

Rocky serves on the boards of Barksdale Forward, Bossier Parish Community College Foundation (Chairman), Louisiana Community and Technical College Foundation (Chairman). Shreveport/Bossier Film Advisory Board, the Strategic Action Council, Louisiana Workforce Commission, Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, and several others. He is an active member of the Louisiana Industrial Executives Association (LIDEA) (Past Chairman), SEDC, IEDC, ICSC and many other professional organizations. Rocky and his wife Ashley are also serving as Co-Chairs for the Shreveport/Bossier Host Group for the annual Washington Mardi Gras events.

Rocky has also served in his community as a coach for Upwards Basketball, Cabossa Soccer and served as both chairman and on the executive board of First Baptist Church School along as past Treasurer of the Loyola College Prep Alumni Board of Shreveport while raising 4 children. Other community services have been serving on the board of Bossier Rotary and as Chairman of Crimestoppers of Shreveport.

Rocky’s current occupation as Executive Director of the GBEDF has allowed him and the organization to play pivotal roles in many of the growth opportunities facing northwest Louisiana. This has included opportunities with military and cyber as well as Film/Entertainment industry along with the traditional manufacturing interest such as the largest industrial development ever made in Bossier with a lumber milling facility, that utilize our port and workforce. The GBEDF, under Rocky's leadership, has played roles in developing work force development programs in partnership with BPCC culminating most recently in the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Studies.
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Chandra "Cha Cha" Ray

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Raised in Kansas and Florida, Chandra "Cha Cha" Ray has called the Bossier/Shreveport area home since 1997. Since 2023, Chandra brings new life to GBEDF, with experience in bookkeeping, office management, and account management. Cha Cha's expertise within several local industries, including furniture retail, construction, and real estate, immediately adds value to GBEDF. Cha Cha understands development.

Cha Cha is the friendly voice on the line or face at the door of GBEDF’s office at the Louisiana Boardwalk. You can also see Cha Cha on-screen, projected from GBEDF’s state-of-the-art Video Conference Room. At GBEDF, Cha Cha manages the office and handles bookkeeping. She provides administrative support on all investments and board meetings. When not handling these, Chandra works with Rocky to enhance the membership experience and economic development within the City of Bossier and Bossier Parish. Cha Cha, mother to two beautiful daughters, also continues the transition to a paperless office.