Elite Training of Louisiana

08/10/2026

✨ Meet the Team Monday ✨

Meet LaWanda Marshall, Corporate Trainer at Elite Training of Louisiana!

LaWanda joined the Elite Training team in September 2023 and brings years of experience in customer service, leadership, and staff development. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and later received her master’s degree in Human Resources and Leadership Development from Louisiana State University.

With 13 years of experience leading teams and developing employees into leadership roles, LaWanda is passionate about helping people strengthen their communication and leadership skills. She believes that developing these skills can help organizations build stronger teams, create more loyal employees, and develop leaders from within.

LaWanda has been married to her husband, Otis, for 33 years. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and paper crafting. 📚🎬✂️

Have a question for LaWanda or want to learn more about ETLA? Drop it in the comments below! 👇💙

08/07/2026

🚑 Hands-on training makes all the difference.

Our CPR/First Aid/AED class at Hunt Forest Products focused on building the confidence and skills needed to respond in an emergency. Thank you to everyone who participated and made it such a great class!

⭐ "Ricky does a fantastic job of keeping people engaged and breaking down information into easy-to-understand language. He doesn't leave a topic until everyone understands and checks in regularly. The class is very good."
— Leslie P. Harvey

Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We appreciate the opportunity to train your team.

08/04/2026

💡 Training Tip Tuesday

Back injuries are one of the most common workplace injuries—and many are preventable.

Remember these safe lifting techniques:
✔️ Bend your knees
✔️ Keep the load close to your body
✔️ Lift with your legs
✔️ Avoid twisting while carrying
✔️ Ask for help with heavy or awkward loads

Using proper lifting techniques helps reduce injuries and keeps your team healthy.

At Elite Training of Louisiana, we believe preventing injuries is just as important as knowing how to respond when they happen.

08/03/2026

✨ Meet the Team Monday ✨

Meet Madeline Priest, Grant Manager at Elite Training of Louisiana!

Madeline brings more than 27 years of experience in workforce development, including over 18 years of managing Louisiana's Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP) grants. She works closely with businesses to help guide them through the grant process from application to completion and is passionate about helping employers invest in their workforce through training opportunities.

Outside of ETLA, Madeline enjoys spending time with her fur babies, decorating, and traveling with her husband.

Have a question for Madeline or want to learn more about ETLA? Drop it in the comments below! 👇💙

07/31/2026

Did you know we now offer complimentary safety walkarounds? 👷‍♀️🦺

Before we begin training, our team can visit your facility to better understand your environment, observe how things are being done, and identify potential safety opportunities.

This allows us to customize your training experience to better fit your team’s specific needs and ensure we’re addressing the areas that matter most.

From workplace safety practices to day-to-day operations, we want to help you create a safer, more prepared workplace.

📞 Call us today at 318-383-4899 to schedule your next training session and facility walkaround!

07/28/2026

💡 Training Tip Tuesday

If an emergency happened today, would you know the quickest way out?

When entering any building, take a moment to locate:
🚪 Emergency exits
🧯 Fire extinguishers
❤️ AEDs
📍 Designated meeting areas

Knowing where these are before an emergency can make all the difference. Prepared employees respond more confidently during emergencies—and preparation starts with training.

Elite Training of Louisiana is proud to help businesses build safer workplaces through CPR, First Aid, OSHA, and customized workplace training.

Call now to connect with business.

07/27/2026

🌟 Meet Ian Orten! 🌟

We're excited to introduce Ian Orten, one of our Corporate Trainers!

Originally from Farmerville, Louisiana, Ian has spent most of his life in Ruston, Louisiana, where he currently resides. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health Promotion from Louisiana Tech University and brings nearly five years of experience in health, safety, and environmental (HSE) practices.

Ian holds certifications as a Certified Occupational Safety Specialist (COSS), OSHA 30 Construction, and HAZWOPER Train the Trainer. He is also working toward becoming a certified CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor and an OSHA Outreach Trainer.

As a Corporate Trainer, Ian enjoys taking complex safety and compliance topics and turning them into practical, easy-to-understand training. His goal is to help organizations build safer workplaces by fostering understanding, accountability, and a strong safety culture.

When he's not training, Ian enjoys planning trips with friends. And if you can't find him, there's a good chance he's along the bank of a pond with a fishing pole in hand, enjoying the outdoors.

We're proud to have Ian on our team and look forward to the impact he'll continue to make!

Have a question for Ian or want to learn more about ETLA? Drop it in the comments below! 👇💙

07/21/2026

💡 Training Tip Tuesday

Louisiana summers bring high temperatures—and increased risk for heat-related illnesses.

Protect yourself and your team:
☀️ Stay hydrated
☀️ Take breaks when needed
☀️ Wear appropriate clothing
☀️ Recognize signs of heat exhaustion

Knowing the warning signs can help prevent serious emergencies.

Elite Training of Louisiana provides training that helps employees recognize hazards and respond appropriately.

07/20/2026

✨ Meet the Team Monday ✨

Meet Heather Watzek, Owner of Elite Training of Louisiana!

Heather opened Elite Training of Louisiana in September 2023 with a passion for providing quality training and excellent service to businesses and organizations. With over 20 years of experience in the finance field, Heather brings valuable knowledge, organization, and a proactive approach to everything she does.

Heather graduated from Spearsville High School in Spearsville, Louisiana. She and her husband, Peter, live near Sterlington, Louisiana, where they are raising their four daughters—Aubrey, Julie, Mary, and Danielle.

Family is at the heart of everything Heather does. She values her role as a mom above all and loves spending time with her family. Outside of ETLA, you can find Heather cheering on her daughters at their sporting events, donating her time and energy to her church’s Children’s Department, and volunteering as a member of the Sterlington Little League board.

Have a question for Heather or want to learn more about ETLA? Drop it in the comments below! 👇💙

07/16/2026

💡 Training Tip Thursday

Did you know that practicing emergency procedures regularly can make all the difference in a real emergency?

The more familiar your team is with what to do, the faster and more confidently they’ll respond when seconds count.

This week’s tip: Don’t wait until an emergency happens to review your emergency action plan. Schedule regular training and refreshers to keep everyone prepared.

What’s one safety or workplace topic you’d like us to cover in a future Training Tip Thursday? Let us know in the comments! ⬇️