Leesville mayor, Rick Allen, was named President of the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA) during the final event of the 2024 LMA Convention held in Shreveport, Louisiana on August 3, 2024. Mayor Allen has been involved with the organization for many years, serving several terms as the Vice-President of District D, then one term each as 2nd Vice-President and 1st Vice-President.
Many of the new president's favorite people, including family members and personal friends, as well as City of Leesville officials / employees traveled to Shreveport to support him as he received the gavel from former President Derrick Johnson, and called the 87th Annual Banquet to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Allen's son, US Air Force Senior Airman Maison Weaver, who traveled from Germany for the event. Members of the First United Pentecostal Church of Leesville also participated in the program with the National Anthem being sung by Sister Shaunda Mitchell & Friends, followed by the Invocation given by Pastor Mark Christian.
Mayor Allen closed the meeting with an announcement that he is looking forward to an exciting and productive year, before introducing the evening's entertainment -- Johnny Earthquake & the Moondogs.