Provident founder, Steve Hicks, serves as the company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Steve has served an integral role in every project undertaken by Provident since its inception and is largely responsible for building and leading the team of professionals that have made Provident one of the leading nonprofit partners in the industry. Steve’s vision for Provident included the creation of a true, committed nonprofit partner focused on building communities and making essential projects a reality for our partners. Under his leadership, Provident has successfully financed nearly $5 billion in projects, and currently serves as owner, borrower and/or concessionaire on over $3.3 billion in projects around the country.
Prior to founding Provident, Steve practiced law for 25 years for several prestigious regional and national firms, specializing in the area of public finance with additional concentration in the area of legislative law. He participated in many public finance issues over his 25-year career in a variety of roles including bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, and counsel to the issuer. During his time practicing law, Mr. Hicks played a significant role in the formation of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority, one of the nation’s largest issuers of debt securities for a wide range of public projects and served as the principal attorney or supervising partner on approximately$12 billion in project financings for acute care hospitals, nursing facilities, affordable housing, and numerous other essential state and local government projects.
Mr. Hicks received his Juris Doctorate from the Louisiana State University School of Law, and his Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University.
Professional Affiliations
Community Involvement
As Provident’s President and Vice Chairman of the Board, Mr. Hicks is a member of the executive team that establishes the company’s strategy, culture and fulfillment of its charitable missions. Mr. Hicks also spearheads Provident’s public-private partnership financings, working with project partners and beneficiaries, financing partners, investors and rating agencies to ensure successful financial execution and an ongoing commitment to our partners for the life of our engagement. His role includes management of origination, analysis, and execution efforts for transactions and project relationships across a variety of asset classes. Chris works to foster relationships with state and local governments, public and private universities and healthcare systems, as well as development partners, allowing Provident to utilize its proven financing platform to further not only its non-profit missions, but the missions of each of these partners.
Prior to joining Provident, Mr. Hicks spent 18 years in the Public Finance Department of Citigroup Global Markets Inc., departing in 2019as a Director in their Higher Education and Public Private Partnership Groups. During his time at Citi, Mr. Hicks worked with clients on over $25 Billion in financings.
Mr. Hicks holds a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Wake Forest University.
Marla Page Scannicchio is Provident’s Chief Financial Officer. She joined Provident in 2001 and has been an integral part of Provident’s growth over the last 20 years. Marla has been involved in the development, construction, acquisition, or ongoing operations of over twenty senior living communities, twenty-seven university housing entities or other university related facilities (such as a wellness center, classroom buildings and a parking lot concession agreement), twelve affordable housing communities, four hotels, and a proton cancer treatment center. Marla has also participated in more than$3 billion in debt financings. These transactions involved complex financial structures such as subordinate debt, interest rate swaps, tax-exempt bonds, taxable loans, letters of credit, and accretion bonds. During her tenure with Provident, Marla has overseen the accounting, payroll, accounts payable, human resources and information technology departments. Marla’s responsibilities have also included overseeing the Provident audits, tax returns, budgets, insurance, cash management, and tax-exempt bond compliance. She has also overseen the implementation and management of several software programs utilized by the various departments under her supervision. Marla currently serves on numerous committees, as a member and Chairperson for numerous Provident subsidiaries.
Prior to joining Provident, Marla was an accounting manager for a healthcare clinic in Baton Rouge that had over 76 physicians. She was also an audit manager for KPMG in the not-for-profit and healthcare industry. Her experience as an audit manager at KPMG involved auditing benefit plans, hospitals, pharmacies, nursing homes, as well as, preparing and reviewing cost reports and tax returns. Marla graduated from LSU in 1993 and is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Global Management Accountant and is a member of Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), Louisiana Society of CPA's and the AICPA. Marla is a board member and finance chairperson for the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation.
Donovan began his professional career in 1987 in private practice specializing in general corporate and tax matters and in the representation of corporate trust departments of state and national banking institutions serving as trustee for various tax-exempt bond financings in Louisiana and other state and local jurisdictions. Since 2001, Mr. Hicks has been a member of the Provident senior management team, responsible for overseeing legal, tax, and corporate compliance issues for Provident and its affiliates, and the acquisition, financing and development of new properties in furtherance of Provident's charitable activities.
Education
Professional Affiliations
Community Involvement
As COO, Mr. Grand is responsible for overseeing the administrative and operational functions of the organization, which includes strategic planning and collaborating with senior management to shape and guide operational efficiencies and the future growth and development of the organization in furtherance of its charitable missions. Mr. Grand is also responsible for various legal, tax and corporate compliance issues and the financing and development of new properties. Prior to joining Provident, Mr. Grand practiced corporate and securities law with a focus on complex financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and compliance matters. Prior to attending law school, Mr. Grand worked in project management for a national design-build firm where he managed the construction of multiple health care, financial and hotel construction projects.
Mr. Grand received his Juris Doctorate and Bachelor of Civil Law, magna cum laude, from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University where he was a member of the Louisiana Law Review and Order of the Coif and received his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Louisiana State University.
Ms. Forestier joined the Provident team is 2014 as its Controller, and more recently became Chief Accounting Officer. Pam oversees Provident’s accounting and financial reporting, including financial statements, budgets, cash management, internal controls, compliance, audits and tax. Ms. Forestier works directly with trustee and banking officials to ensure regulatory and financial compliance for all Provident entities. Ms. Forestier started her career with the international accounting firm of KPMG, where she worked in both the audit and tax divisions. Following KPMG, she worked in the consulting engineering and insurance industries. Her responsibilities included overseeing the tax, audit, human resources, information technology, risk and insurance, contracts, and accounting functions. As a regional controller for the subsidiary of a Fortune 300 company, Ms. Forestier was recruited to establish an accounting department. She also participated in the companies’ acquisitions.
Ms. Forestier is a Certified Public Accountant and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University.
Professional Affiliations
As Provident’s Assistant Vice President, Administrative Services, Ms. Corkern is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities for all employees engaged in administrative and support services. Jamey has over 25 years’ experience in the administrative and accounting field, with nearly 20 years dedicated to Provident. She is responsible for reviewing and reconciling monthly construction requisitions for multiple project financings, including expenditure evaluation, contract review and budget analysis. In addition, Jamey oversees all bond compliance submissions for all of Provident’s projects, ensuring all required bond covenants are met. Under her leadership, an electronic file database was developed and is maintained for all records for reporting, document management and retention purposes. She uses her advanced administrative and accounting skills in supervising a wide variety of daily administrative functions for Provident, thereby assisting her department in relieving the administrative burden and providing support to the entire Provident team.
As General Counsel, Ms. Boyd is responsible for legal matters related to the operations of Provident Resources Group, Inc., including providing legal advice and guidance on corporate matters, contracts and other legal documents; ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards; managing and resolving disputes; monitoring, assessing and mitigating risks; and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure Provident’s best interests are protected and its charitable missions achieved. Ms. Boyd fosters business relationships with outside counsel, partner institutions, and financial stakeholders.
Prior to joining Provident, Ms. Boyd spent 20 years as a legal, finance and accounting professional in the nonprofit healthcare, education, and housing sectors on tax-exempt bond, project finance and energy as a service transactions and restructurings. In particular, she has extensive experience in tax, securities, and state law matters. Ms. Boyd is a member of the Tax Law Committee of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and a frequent speaker at its conferences, a Louisiana and Colorado licensed attorney, and a member of the American Bar Association and the State Boards of Certified Public Accountants of Colorado and Louisiana (inactive).
Ms. Boyd received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where she was a Law Review senior editor, and her B.S. and M.S. in Accountancy from Wake Forest University.
As Senior Vice President for Business Development, Mr.Holder takes a strategic role, responsible for developing and executing key corporate development objectives that continue to expand Provident’s mission areas, with a specific focus on essential services, projects and programs that offer clean, renewable, and sustainable energy solutions for communities that Provident serves. In his role, Mr. Holder cultivates and fosters new innovative partnerships with key market participants in furtherance of Provident’s core mission areas, spearheading the evaluation of each opportunity, and serving as Provident’s day-to-day representative on a wide variety of projects for the life of the engagement.
Prior to joining Provident, Todd spent 32 years serving state and local governments as a public finance investment banker, with a focus on public power, water & sewer, and other essential service infrastructure projects, for firms like Citigroup and RBC Capital Markets.
Mr. Holder received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, in addition to a B.S. in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis, and a B.S. in Physics from Nebraska Wesleyan University. Mr. Holder currently holds the Series 7, Series 79, Series 53, Series 52, and Series 63 securities licenses.
Starting his career in Industry Accounting in 2005, Alan joined the Provident Team in 2013. Through his tenure with the Company, he has worked on multiple missions including Affordable Housing, Education, Senior Living, and CitiState-Hotel/Lodging. His primary roles as Accounting Manager are to train and develop staff, collaborate with third party managers on project performance, review financial statements, assist with all compliance efforts, and work directly with the CAO and Controller for budgeting and auditing requirements.
Hometown: Hammond, Louisiana
Hobbies/Interests: Alan is an avid league and tournament bowler and enjoys playing disc golf. He cherishes family time spent camping as well as coaching his two children in youth sports, especially bowling.
Jennifer joined Provident in July of 2024 and currently holds a dual-role position, serving as the Human Resources Manager and Executive Assistant to Chris Hicks, President. Jennifer is a certified professional through the Society of Human Resource Management. Her primary role functions include managing all employee relation matters and ensuring compliance with employment laws and regulations, as well as company policies, and providing executive-level support and project assistant to the President. Prior to her arrival, Jennifer worked for a non-profit in North Carolina, and has a decade of experience in administration.
Hometown: Chicago, IL.
Candace Blount joined the Provident team in 2009 and currently holds the position of Accounts Payable and Payroll Manager. In her role, Candace is responsible for overseeing all accounts payable activities, managing payroll functions, and working with cash management on specific properties within the organization. In her capacity as Accounts Payable and Payroll Manager she coordinates all payments to vendors, the processing of electronic invoice review items, working with audit requests, completing 1099 reporting, and being a liaison to vendors, employees, management partners, and financial institutions. Year-end reporting, quarterly reporting, and daily maintenance for all internal payroll items and bi-weekly processing are also managed in this position.
Hobbies/Interests: Candace enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and two Pomsky puppies. Spending time outdoors and watching LSU Baseball are her favorite pastime activities.
Doug joined the Provident team in December 2023. He graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Prior to joining Provident, Doug spent nearly a decade in the public and private accounting sectors. Since joining Provident, Doug has worked with properties within the education portfolio. His responsibilities include producing and analyzing financial statements, preparing monthly requisitions, and assisting with the annual budget process. He works directly with project managers, third party managers, and external auditors in completing annual audits.
Hometown: Chalmette, Louisiana
Hobbies/Interests: Doug loves watching sports and spending time with his wife and 3 daughters in his free time.
Jamie began her accounting career with Provident after her graduation from LSU in 2019. Since joining Provident, Jamie has worked with properties within the Education mission and properties in development. Her responsibilities include producing and analyzing financial statements, preparing monthly requisitions, performing financial analyses and projections, and assisting with the annual budget process. Additionally, she works with project managers and external auditors in completing annual audits.
Hobbies/Interest: Outside of the office, Jamie enjoys baking for family and friends.
Alyssa joined the Provident team in 2024. As the Office Manager, she is responsible for administrative functions, assisting Senior Management, and ensuring that the corporate office operates smoothly. She feels that incorporating fun into the daily structure of running an office is an integral part of balance and morale in the workplace. Alyssa has associate’s degrees in teaching and liberal arts, and her background in both the healthcare field and staffing has given her insight into how to provide high-level support to many aspects of the organization.
Hobbies/Interest: In her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with husband and son, friends, cooking, painting, axe throwing, and watching anything horror or true crime.
Johnnie, having worked in the professional world for many years, thirty-four years as a managerial assistant at a local Baton Rouge company and now seventeen years with Provident as an administrative assistant in conjunction with her role as the receptionist. Her interest in learning and educating herself further in business and in life itself continues on, as is indicated in her enthusiasm at Provident. Before coming to Provident, according to Johnnie, she was contemplating retirement, but when asked to fill in temporarily here in the office, she immediately answered the call. That was seventeen years ago. She is still with Provident, eager to assist wherever needed.
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Hobbies/Interest: Time spent with family - my first love, dancing, traveling, and running for health benefits.
Tamara joined the Provident team in 2019. In her role as an Administrative Assistant, Tamara works directly with Senior Management to provide high-level support to the entire Provident team. Tamara is responsible for assisting with daily administrative functions that ensure that the corporate office operates efficiently. She maintains the filing systems for the Organization, assists with meeting and event planning, monitors office equipment and stock of all office supplies. Tamara also processes requisitions for projects under construction and assists in the preparation of compliance submissions for all properties.
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
Hobbies/Interests: Creating digital beauty/fashion content, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and visiting different restaurants
Brandon joined the Provident team in October 2024. Prior to joining Provident, Brandon spent 5 years in the social media field, specializing in video production and management of online creators. Since joining Provident, Brandon has been assisting with processing requisitions for projects under construction while also assisting in compliance submissions for all properties.
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO.
Hobbies/Interests: When outside the office, Brandon is an avid sports fanatic and a self-proclaimed nerd. He spends his free time watching football, playing video games, collecting trading cards, and producing and editing videos.
Hayden joined the Provident team in August 2023. Prior to this, Hayden attended Southeastern Louisiana University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Since joining Provident, Hayden has worked with properties within the education portfolio. His responsibilities include producing and analyzing financial statements, preparing monthly requisitions, and assisting with the annual budget process. He works directly with project supervisors, third party managers, and external auditors in completing annual audits.
Hometown: Central, LA
Hobbies/Interests: Hayden enjoys kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and occasionally bowling.
William joined the Provident team in January 2021. Prior to this, William attended Louisiana State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business and master’s degree in finance. Since joining Provident, William has worked with properties within the education portfolio. His responsibilities include producing and analyzing financial statements, preparing monthly requisitions, and assisting with the annual budget process. He works directly with project supervisors, third party managers, and external auditors in completing annual audits.
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Hobbies/Interests: In his spare time, William enjoys horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and exercising.
Dana joined Provident as the Project and Risk Manager in late 2024 and is responsible for the coordination of efforts to identify, assess and mitigate risks across our continuum of projects and assets. Dana brings more than twenty-five years’ experience in public and non-profit financial management, and she is committed to developing the comprehensive risk management strategies and systems needed to keep pace with the ever-changing business environment, as well as promote continuous improvement. Ms. Holder is a Certified Public Accountant, and she received her B.B.A. in Management Information Systems as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia.
Sarah joined the PRG team in April 2024. She graduated from LSU in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She immediately began her accounting career as an auditor in the public accounting field. Since joining PRG, Sarah has worked with properties within the education portfolio. Sarah’s responsibilities include producing and analyzing financial statements, preparing monthly requisitions, performing financial analyses and projections, and assisting with preparing annual budgets. Sarah also coordinates with project managers and external auditors in completing annual audits.
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Hobbies/Interests: Outside the office, Sarah enjoys doing yoga, painting, reading, and playingwith her two dogs and cat.
Uriah joined the PRG team on September 1, 2021. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting in 2018. He immediately began his accounting career as an Auditor in the Public Accounting field. Since joining PRG, Uriah has worked with properties within the Education portfolio. Uriah’s responsibilities include producing and analyzing financial statements, preparing monthly requisitions, performing financial analyses and projections. Uriah also works and coordinates with project managers and external auditors in completing annual audits.
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Hobbies/Interests: Uriah enjoys lifting weights, watching sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Paul joined the PRG team in October 2024. He graduated from ULL in 2004 and 2005 with bachelor’s degrees in music and accounting. Paul has a versatile accounting background which began as an auditor and tax preparer in Public Accounting which then led to other sectors such as Insurance, Higher Education and Global Manufacturing. Since joining PRG, Paul has worked with properties within the Education and Citi-State-Hotel/Lodging portfolios. Paul’s responsibilities include producing and analyzing financial statements, preparing monthly requisitions, performing financial analyses and projections, and assisting with preparing annual budgets. Paul also coordinates with project managers and external auditors in completing annual audits.
Hometown: Luling, LA.
Hobbies/Interests: Outside of the office, Paul enjoys collecting and playing guitars, listening to music, fishing and spending time with his two children.
Calvin joined the Provident team in April 2024. He graduated from Southern University, with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Prior to joining Provident, Calvin spent nearly eight years in the public and private accounting sectors. Since joining Provident, Calvin has worked with properties within the education, CitiState, and healthcare portfolios. His responsibilities include producing and analyzing financial statements, preparing monthly requisitions, and assisting with the annual budget process. He works directly with project managers, third party managers, and external auditors in completing annual audits.
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Hobbies/Interests: Calvin loves watching sports and spending time with his family.
Phuong is currently our Controller at Provident. She is primarily responsible for managing and overseeing the accounting operations and financial reporting for all Provident projects, including corporate and development. This includes financial statements, audits, taxes, budgets, cash management, compliance, payables and payroll. She also reviews consolidated financial statements, schedules, and forecasts, as required by lenders, bondholders, and committee members. Additionally, she works closely with the accounting team, executives, and project managers to ensure timely requests are met.
Prior to joining the Provident team in December 2013, Phuong worked for a Fortune 500 company as a Tax Manager responsible for overseeing all aspects of domestic income tax compliance.
Phuong is a Certified Public Accountant and received her bachelor’s degree, double majoring in Accounting and Finance from University of Southern Mississippi. She is a member of the American Institute for Public Accountants (AICPA) and Society of Louisiana CPAs (LCPA).
Hometown: Ocean Springs, MS
Hobbies/Interest: When outside of the office, Phuong enjoys traveling, exercising, and spending time with her husband and two children.
Rheba brings to Provident over 40 years’ experience as a legal and executive assistant – nearly 20 of those years working directly for Steve Hicks, CEO. Her superior organizational skills and detail-oriented work product are the perfect fit for her role as executive assistant to Steve. One of her duties at Provident is organizing meetings, taking minutes, and maintaining record books for Provident and its many special purpose entities. For many years, Rheba performed these same responsibilities as a volunteer member of other nonprofit organizations, including the Board of Directors of her local church.
Interests: Rheba is currently working toward certification as a professional genealogist.
After 13 years with Provident working in Accounts Payable, Lolitha transitioned to the Administration department, specifically with PRG's Compliance Team. Lolitha assists in processing requisitions for projects under construction and assisting in the preparation of compliance submissions for all properties with the company. All of the work that she has done with the company in A/P and her familiarity with the properties over the years has allowed for a smooth transition.
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Hobbies/Interest: Lolitha enjoys traveling, reading and most of all spending time with her grandson and family.
Genevieve began her accounting career with Provident after her graduation from LSU in 2016 as a staff accountant before her promotion three years later. Through her tenure with the Company, she has worked on multiple missions including Affordable Housing and Education. Her primary roles as Accounting Supervisor are to train and develop staff, collaborate with third party managers on project performance, review financial statements, assist with all compliance efforts, and work directly with the CAO and Assistant Controllers for budgeting and auditing requirements.
Hometown: Prairieville, Louisiana
Hobbies/Interests: Genevieve loves painting and sculpting in her free time. She enjoys traveling, festivals, and spending time with family and friends.
Zulay joined Provident in October 2016 and since then she has been involved with Senior Living and Education mission. Her primary roles as Accounting Manager are to train and develop staff, collaborate with third party managers on project performance, review financial statements, assist with all compliance efforts, and work directly with the CAO and Controller for budgeting and auditing requirements.
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Hobbies/Interests: When outside the office, Zulay loves spending time with her husband and two sons. She enjoys cooking, reading, and working out.
