About Us
We know that success isn’t accidental; it’s cultivated.
Our mission is to unite a group
of active early-stage investors to:
Identify and assess early-stage companies for member investments.
Drive economic development and job creation through collective investment capital.
Meaningfully engage in the Gulf South’s early-stage ecosystem and beyond.
Support early-stage companies with strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to an expansive network.
Provide ongoing education to help members make informed, strategic investment decisions.
Who We Are
Our strength lies in the diversity of our perspectives and insights. We welcome both seasoned angels and those new to angel investing.
With over 135 accredited members from across the U.S.—and a strong presence in Southeast Louisiana—we evaluate, fund, and mentor early-stage companies. Members independently choose to invest in high-growth ventures with clear paths to exit.
Our goal is to advance angel investing in the Gulf South Region by providing trusted due diligence, national syndication opportunities, and a robust, diverse network.
For early-stage companies, we offer more than just capital—we offer expertise, connections, and a partnership committed to long-term success. Enhancing the investment landscape is not just civic-minded—it’s smart business.
At GSA, we connect entrepreneurs and investors by pooling our resources, experience, and networks to foster growth and success.
Meet The Board
Mike Eckert
Founder and Chairman
Mike Eckert was part of the founding team that launched The Weather Channel and Weather.com, where he served as CEO for 14 years. He has also chaired the Atlanta Technology Angels and served as a Fellow in Georgia Tech’s Venture Lab. His experience spans leadership, investment, and advisory roles across multiple industries.
Stacey Berger
Member Experience Manager
Stacey Berger is a founder and principal of Hope Housing Partners and CHQ Capital, private investment firms focused on multifamily real estate and early-stage business opportunities. With over 30 years in commercial real estate finance, including as Executive Vice President at PNC Bank, Stacey brings deep industry knowledge to his role at Gulf South Angels.
Alison Hartman
Database Management
Originally from New York City, Alison is the principal of The Hartman Group, a management consulting practice focused on organizational effectiveness. With a blend of expertise across business, human resources, and information technology, she brings strategic insight to her advisory roles and helps organizations thrive.
Byron Leblanc
Public Policy, Marketing, and Public Relations
Byron LeBlanc is the president of LeBlanc & Schuster Public Relations, Inc., a highly regarded firm serving regional and local clients since 1976. A charter member and past chairman of the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, Byron has been a leader in community affairs and civic engagement for decades.
Gay Le Breton
Lafayette Market Development
Gay Le Breton is the head of the Mergers & Acquisitions group at Chaffe & Associates, Inc., specializing in transaction structuring and negotiaion, business valuation, and competitive sale processes. With a career that began at Bankers Trust Company in New York, she brings deep financial expertise and leadership to her work with Gulf South Angels.
Lee McMillan
Board Member
Lee McMillan is the founder of Brush Creek Investments, a broadly diversified private investment manager based in New Orleans. Before founding BCI in 2019, Lee served as Senior Equity Research Analyst at Clarkson Platou, a London-listed and maritime focused investment bank, with coverage responsibilities spanning the global hard commodity complex and a specialized focus on Chinese trade flows.
Jeff O’Hara
Deal Screening, Alabama-Florida Market Development, and Member Education
Jeff O’Hara is an entrepreneur who has founded or co-founded 12 companies in hospitality, logistics, and real estate. After exiting his primary business, PRA Business Events New Orleans, he became an active angel investor, backing startups across technology, biotech, and more. His company was recognized on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America list three times.
Cynthia Pazos
Public Policy, Marketing, and Public Relations
Cynthia has dedicated 33 years to Diabetes Healthcare, founding a leading diabetes products and education company, and later establishing the Pazos Education Fund to support students with Type 1 Diabetes. She continues to empower women entrepreneurs through Blossoming in Business and holds leadership roles in various organizations, including the Women’s President’s Organization and the Gulf South Angels.
John Roberts III
Deal Screening
John Roberts III is a former convenience store chain owner turned entrepreneur, angel investor, and venture capitalist. As a partner in startups Moxey and Mariposa Technology and co-founder of Boot64 Ventures, John has made 32 startup investments. He is deeply involved in the local business community, serves on several boards, and actively mentors early-stage entrepreneurs.
Paul Saltaformaggio
Board Member
Paul brings over 21 years of experience in retirement and financial planning, having worked with MassMutual and Capital One, where he served on advisory boards. His passion for client-focused service led him to found Hibernia Wealth Management, offering tailored financial strategies to engineers, petrochemical employees, and business owners.
Daryl Schloz
Board Member
Daryl Schloz is a retired John Deere executive with a 38-year career spanning multiple roles across seven factories and corporate operations. His experience includes international business responsibilities that have taken him to over 40 countries. A proud Iowa State engineering graduate, Daryl now applies his expertise to supporting growing companies.
Dann Schwartz
Deal Screening and Alabama-Florida Market Development
Dann Schwartz is a serial entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience founding and growing companies in medical devices and e-commerce. Since 2005, he has applied his expertise in manufacturing, distribution, patents, and quality management standards as a consultant, focusing on driving business success and innovation.
Fern Watters
Women Member Market Development
Fern Watters is a retired attorney with a passion for volunteerism. She has dedicated herself to philanthropy, most recently serving as Program Head and Vice Chair of Destination: College, a nonprofit focused on improving educational opportunities for under-resourced high school students in Westchester County, New York.
Scott Whittaker
Public Policy and Lake Charles Market Development
Scott Whittaker is the Chairman of the Business Section at Stone Pigman law firm and a 30-year veteran corporate lawyer. He has handled hundreds of M&A and corporate finance transactions, representing companies from startup through expansion and exit.
How We Invest
Member-Led Investments:
GSA members have the flexibility to choose which companies they want to invest in and how much they wish to commit after the due diligence process. This hands-on approach allows members to handpick investment opportunities that align with their interests and goals, giving them control over their portfolios.
Sidecar Funds:
This approach provides exposure to a range of promising startups while spreading risk across multiple ventures, making it an ideal choice for those looking to invest alongside GSA’s experienced network without directly selecting each opportunity.
Join the Network