David Tatman
Executive Administrator, LIBA

David Tatman currently serves as the Executive Administrator for the Louisiana Independent Business Association (LIBA). In addition to his role with LIBA, David is also the President of The Tatman Group. Mr. Tatman designs and implements sophisticated programs to promote legislative and regulatory initiatives for a wide range of clients. David’s multi-disciplined approach gives

our association the edge in achieving our goals. David’s approach most often includes implementing the elements of traditional political campaigns in the legislative process with new and innovative approaches and techniques to enhance our chances for success.

Through this approach Mr. Tatman has developed a reputation as a leader in the field and in the process has developed strong personal relationships with state legislators, government regulators and the Louisiana Congressional delegation. Mr. Tatman is recognized as a leader in the government and public relations field in the state of Louisiana. Mr. Tatman developed his government and public relations skills with a number of high profile organizations in Louisiana. He began his career in government and public relations as the Director of Development at Children's Hospital in New Orleans. Mr. Tatman created a public relations program that enabled the hospital to develop an unparalleled force in both the health care and non-profit organization arenas. Mr. Tatman was recruited by one of the most successful political organizations in Louisiana to work for a major professional trade association from 1990-1997.

In 1997, Mr. Tatman founded The Tatman Group. In the first year, the company had landed a most impressive client list, representing business and professional organizations from throughout the country. The Tatman Group is now recognized as one of the top government and public relations firms in Louisiana. Mr. Tatman is also the founder and head of the Louisiana Business Coalition (LBC). LBC is made up of a group of small businesses that work together to address state and federal issues in the areas of taxation and regulatory issues. LBC has members throughout the state of Louisiana. Mr. Tatman was recently recognized in the Baton Rouge Business Reports Top 40 Under 40. Each year, this local business publication recognizes the 40 individuals for their involvement and leadership in business and the community.

Mr. Tatman holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a minor in Psychology from Nicholls State University. He resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with his wife Maria and their two daughters, Carley and Morgan and their son, David, Jr.

Guy Ruggieo
President, LIBA

Guy Ruggieo currently serves as President of the Louisiana Independent Business Association (LIBA). Guy, a native from Donaldsonville, Louisiana, attended Ascension Catholic High. Guy went on to attend Nicholls State University where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. After receiving his Bachelors degree in

education, Guy launched his career in 1978 when he accepted a position as a field underwriter with the New York Life firm. In 1982, Guy started and served as President of Ruggieo and Associates, Inc., a general insurance agency that specializes in life, health, auto, commercial and personal insurance.

Two years later in 1984, Guy created the Iberville Bonding Company, Inc., which focuses on bail bonds and contractor bid bonds. In 1994, Guy created yet another organization known as the Association of Louisiana Bail Underwriters, Inc. where he currently resides as President. Later, in 1996, Guy was responsible for creating and passing legislation that enables bail agents to receive Pre-Licensing instruction and Continued Education. In response to his dedicated work on this subject, the Louisiana Department of Insurance appointed Guy as a founding member of the Insurance Education Advisory Council (IEAC). Today, Guy remains very passionate about this issue and is currently researching, writing and teaching new Continued Education courses.

In addition to his career accomplishments, Guy is a member of various organizations, some of which include PIA, ALBU, Baton Rouge Association of Life Underwriters, the National Association of Life Underwriters, and PBUS.
Guy currently resides in Plaquemine, Louisiana with his wife, Sabrina, and three children, Kellie, Amanda and Trey.

Jerry Arbour
Vice President, LIBA

Jerry Arbour currently serves as Vice President of the Louisiana Independent Business Association (LIBA). Jerry is a life long resident of Baton Rouge. A graduate of Sacred Heart Elementary School and Catholic High School, Jerry earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Personal Management from Louisiana State University’s E. J. Ourso School of

Business. Jerry knows the meaning of hard work: From tenth grade through his graduation from LSU, Jerry held several jobs simultaneously to not only put himself through high school and college, but also to help support his large family after the passing of his father.

Jerry began his career in the business community as Assistant Director of Personnel at Our Lady of The Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge. In 1975, Jerry received his Jurist Doctorate Degree from LSU’s Paul M. Herbert Law Center. After serving a one-year clerkship for the Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeal in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Jerry returned to Baton Rouge in 1976 to begin the full time practice of law, joining the firm of Glusman, Moore & Lopez. Jerry now practices as a sole practitioner and as such is the main voice of sole practitioners on the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Legal Malpractice Insurance.

As an attorney, Jerry Arbour has been involved with the business community from the outset of his legal career. His first assignments were high volume insurance defense cases, and he has over twenty years experience in that area. Jerry also handles legal work for the financial division of several major auto manufacturers and the largest family of GM dealerships in Baton Rouge. He is admitted to practice law at every level of the judicial system, including the Supreme Court of the United States.

Jerry has been active in the Baton Rouge Bar Association, the Louisiana State Bar Associations, the Louisiana Bar Foundation and the American Bar Association. Jerry has contributed to the community through the Optimist Club and serving on several boards and commissions in local government. He has served as a member of the Alcohol Beverage Control Board for East Baton Rouge Parish since 1997, seeking to reduce underage drinking in the Baton Rouge area. He is a past Chairman of the East Baton Rouge Parish Ethics Nominating Committee.

For over 31 years, Jerry has been married to the former Dianne M. Rabalais. Jerry and Dee have two adult sons: Tommy, a physician, and Todd, a recent graduate of Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge.

Keli Ourso
Secretary / Treasurer, LIBA

Keli Ourso is the lead lobbyist and most senior account manager for The Tatman Group. She has proven herself as one of The Tatman Groups organizational leaders. Her reputation as a tireless worker has helped her build a track record for success. The two top roles that Keli plays within our company are providing coverage for clients during the legislative session and providing client relations and communication services for the associations

we manage. Keli uses her education and experience to provide the highest standards of client services.

Since joining The Tatman Group, Keli has excelled as a government relations and as an association management professional. She has represented major corporate clients on high profile issues in the legislative process and recently worked with a coalition of companies to defeat a major tax issue.  Keli has a great reputation at the Capitol and knows how to get things done. 

She is also known for getting things accomplished for our clients. Keli makes every client feel like they are the only person that she is working with right now. Since taking over two organizations, she has brought them from the brink of financial ruin to thriving organization with extra cash flow.

Currently, she serves as Treasurer of the Louisiana Independent Business Association. Keli is active in many associations including the Association of Louisiana Lobbyist, the Public Relations Association of Louisiana, and the Louisiana Society of Association Executives.