ABOUT US
We are committed.
You have unique strengths and we want to help you discover them. At Accelerated Academy, we are committed to helping our students launch into a rewarding and enjoyable career.
Our Mission
Our mission is to give our students an opportunity to discover their life's career path through an affordable, convenient, and achievable education.
We strive to follow our five core values, everyday.
Passion to Perform
Integrity | Self-Accountability | Ownership | Ambitious
People Matter
Golden Rule | Forgiving | Celebrates With Others | Empathy
Enjoy the Process
Willing To Have Fun | Authentic | Engage | Relax
Hungry to Grow
Humble | Self-Improvement | Content Not Complacent | Embraces Change
Team Player
Selfless | Humble | Committed | Supportive
Meet the Accelerated Academy team.
Autumn Penalber
Admissions Representative
Autumn joined Accelerated Academy in May of 2021. She loves the fun, loving, family atmosphere of her
job. Her favorite part about working at Accelerated is being able to help guide students into their new careers
and seeing them become successful.
She and her husband, Cody, reside in Denham Springs, La with their 3 beautiful children, 2 spoiled dogs
and sweet kitten. When she’s not in the office she enjoys fishing, boat riding, traveling and staying busy
with the kids hobbies such as competition cheer and baseball.
Autumn Penalber
Admissions Representative
Fallon Willson
Admissions Representative
Fallon joined the admissions team in November of 2021. She took a leap of faith and made a huge career change to come to ADAA because the company culture was everything she has ever been missing in a job / work environment.
She is a mom of the most vivacious 4 year old little girl who is her absolute world. When she is not playing Barbie dreamhouse or chasing around their golden retriever, Sadie, she enjoys doing anything outdoors or at the gym. Carbs, wine, and good conversation are her weaknesses.
The best part about her job is knowing that she has the opportunity to help people every single day in different ways; whether it be helping them begin their new career path or just making their day a little brighter with a phone call. Life is all about all the little things coming together to make a bigger difference, so she is thankful for the opportunity to be a positive influence in our students lives.
Fallon Willson
Admissions Representative
Carley Bissel
Director of Sales
From Baton Rouge, La., meet Carley Bissel. She has always aspired to work in the dental field in some fashion. After graduating from Louisiana State University in May 2019, she joined the Accelerated Dental team. Not only does she love her coworkers, but she thrives on helping students better themselves and meet their goals. She truly enjoys seeing the student's journey from start to finish!
She enjoys spending time with her tight-knit family, friends, Husband Luke, and her dog, Stevie and her cat, Liz. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, biking, gardening, and cooking.
Carley Bissel
Director of Sales
Emily Jenks
Director of Operations
Emily was born and raised in North Carolina but she has called Louisiana her home since 2013. Emily graduated from Louisiana State University where she earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies. Emily's favorite thing to do is to spend her free time with her family and friends. Emily is married to Dylan and they have a beautiful daughter named Isabelle whom they are obsessed with! Emily has a huge heart and loves nothing more than bringing a smile to someone's face. She strives to do the same in her role with Accelerated Dental Assisting Academy.
Emily has been with Accelerated Dental since 2016. She started out as an Admissions Representative, and now she is the Director of Operations. Her favorite aspect of her role is supporting her team as they work to launch successful semesters three times a year at every hosting office. Emily focuses on creating relationships with our hosting partners. Helping others reach their goals while creating opportunity along the way is what fuels Emily's passion.
Emily Jenks
Director of Operations
Lexi Laroux
Director of Dental Assisting
Lexi joined Accelerated Dental in December of 2018. Lexi moved to Baton Rouge to attend LSU where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 2016. She and her husband Myles, both originally from Shreveport, LA, decided to lay roots in Baton Rouge amongst a group of lifelong friends while pursuing their career opportunities. In May of 2021, they welcomed their daughter Landry, who is the star of the show in their home!
When she’s not working, Lexi enjoys LSU events, concerts, and spending time with family.
Lexi's role is to build meaningful relationships with our hosting partners and support in making sure each semester is a success!
Lexi Laroux
Director of Dental Assisting
Linsay Risher
Accounts Receivable
Linsay comes to us originally from Baker, Louisiana, and now resides with her husband and two children in Watson, Louisiana. Linsay joined the team in December of 2017 and has been making us laugh ever since! Her favorite part about working at ADAA is being able to help students afford and start their career. She enjoys spending any spare time with her family making memories. Fun fact, Linsay has a twin sister!
Linsay Risher
Accounts Receivable
Misty Ballard
Accounts Payable
Misty joined our team in June 2019 as one of our financial representatives. She enjoys serving our students to help them be able to afford our program and set them up for success to be debt free once they graduate. Misty was born and raised in Louisiana. Misty and her husband, Robert, reside in Walker, Louisiana. They have three beautiful children, Colton, Alexis, and Kalli along with two spunky dogs, Turbo and Ella. Misty attended Southeastern Louisiana University where she received her Bachelors in Business Administration. When she's not working, Misty enjoys attending church and spending time with her family. Fun fact, Misty loves the Crossfit life.
Misty Ballard
Accounts Payable
Ashley Ouber
Career Coach
Ashley joined Accelerated in June of 2017. She, along with her husband and two children reside in Holden, La. Outside of work, she loves supporting her daughter and son in their extracurricular activities, as her daughter plays softball and power lifts and her son plays the piano.
She loves to make spur of the moment plans. You will often find her and her family traveling to the next adventure, with their 2 dogs in the truck and the camper in tow. Ashley’s ultimate happy place is in their boat, saltwater fishing the lakes in South Louisiana.
As the Career Coach, Ashley plays a vital role in the success of our students. She works diligently with students to prepare them for the hiring process. She gets so much joy teaching, encouraging and empowering them to see their dreams become reality. She becomes our students' biggest fan and loves to celebrate with them in their hiring success.
Ashley also works very closely with dental offices. She has formed great relationships with hiring managers and dentists across the country. She enjoys being able to help them connect with students for their hiring needs.
Ashley Ouber
Career Coach
Misty Wild
Communications Manager
Misty joined Accelerated Dental in 2021 as a Communications Manager. Misty grew up in Oklahoma where she acquired her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She moved to Louisiana in 2018, married her husband Jeanluc and gained a stepdaughter, Abigail. She is a dog mom as well. Misty has a passion for helping others succeed in all walks of life. She loves the hardworking, fun culture ADAA has and watching instructors and students succeed each semester.
When not working, you can find her in Denham Springs, LA spending time with her family and playing with her spoiled fur-kids, Cash and Pixi.
Misty Wild
Communications Manager
Kathryn Fajardo
Director of Pharmacy Tech
Kathryn is from Baton Rouge, LA and graduated in 2007 from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor in Science in Biological Sciences. After being an Environmental Scientist with the LA Department of Environmental Quality and a 13-year career as a real-estate Broker and Property Manager, she joined Accelerated Dental in October of 2021 as a Communications Manager.
She loves the fun and family first culture of ADAA. Her favorite part about working at ADAA is being able to problem solve and support students and instructors so they can have a successful experience. She and her husband, Manny, reside in Baton Rouge, LA with their extremely spoiled cat named Jagger. When she is not in the office she enjoys going to LSU and Saints football games, entertaining, and traveling with family and friends.
Kathryn Fajardo
Director of Pharmacy Tech
Kristi Brock
Operations Manager
Kristi joined ADAA in 2020 in the Operations Department. She works diligently to ensure all operation details are complete in order for each school to run smoothly and effectively. Kristi loves being a support to the operations department, instructors and students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and has 15+ years of experience working as a registered nurse.
Outside of work, Kristi enjoys spending time with her husband, Russell, and their three children. They live in Baton Rouge, LA and their days are filled with long walks, reading, and supporting their children's activities.
Kristi Brock
Operations Manager
Brittany Wilson
Communications Manager
Brittany joined the Accelerated Academy team in 2023! She enjoys feeling like part of a true team, and her favorite part of working at Accelerated are the personal relationships she has built.
In her free time Brittany enjoys homesteading, bread making, cooking, and spending any extra time she has with her family, and spending time on her family farm!
Brittany Wilson
Communications Manager
Angie W. LeBlanc
Licensing / Compliance Specialist
Angie joined ADAA in 2019 in the Licensing Department. She brings a steadfast determination to bring Accelerated Dental to new places so we can help future dental assistants achieve their goals. As a graduate of Louisiana State University in 1993, Angie has 15+ years in the mortgage industry and another nine in office administration and marketing.
When not working, she can be found entertaining friends and family, traveling with her husband, Keith, and supporting her children. Her daughter, Madeleine, attends Mississippi College and is very active on campus; her stepdaughter, Leigh Evalyn, attends Southeastern University, and her stepson, Gus, has an active YouTube channel. Angie and her family reside in Baton Rouge, attend Healing Place Church, are supporters of her Alma Mater and sorority, ZTA, and are active in their community. Angie’s why in life is “To be a safe haven to those seeking direction and to equip them to take action.” She brings support, wisdom, and love to anyone who meets her.
Angie W. LeBlanc
Licensing / Compliance Specialist
Patricia Crowdus
Vice President
Patricia started with Accelerated Academy in April of 2017 as an Enrollment Representative. Her dream at the time was to be in pharmaceutical sales but quickly realized Accelerated was a special place.
Patricia “Patty” loves to see Accelerated grow and to celebrate all the hired graduates that come through.
Her favorite pastimes are spending time with her family and getting lost in a book.
Patricia Crowdus
Vice President
Elizabeth Donahue
Communications Manager
Elizabeth joined ADAA in 2022 in the Administration Department. Elizabeth grew up in Dallas, Texas and went to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Woo pig sooie! Before moving to Baton Rouge in 2020, Elizabeth lived in Knoxville, Tennessee for 8 years and misses the beautiful weather and mountains. Elizabeth is passionate about people and loves being a part of the ADAA team, helping ensure students and instructors have the best experience and achieve their goals. When she's not working, Elizabeth loves spending time with her husband, Mike, their son, Tripp, and beloved lab, Cooper. They live in Baton Rouge and also love to do Crossfit!
Elizabeth Donahue
Communications Manager
Shawndee Lee
Account Manager
Shawndee joined Accelerated Academy in November of 2017. Previously an admissions representative, Shawndee is now our Account Manager. She is excited to grow relationships with our potential hosting offices!
She, her husband, and four beautiful children reside in Springfield, LA, along with her sweet Shar Pei pup Theo! Shawndee loves taking boat rides with her family and she and her husband coach their son in baseball. When not with her kids, she absolutely adores date nights with her hubby!
Shawndee Lee
Account Manager
David Roux
President
David has been the President of Accelerated Dental since its start in 2015. David's vision is to provide students with more than an education. His heart is to develop students into quality people and incredible employees. He says it best himself, “I believe my mission in life is very clear; fear the Lord, lead my family, and mentor others to live a meaningful and productive life."
David Roux
President