09/09/2026
ST. BERNARD BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN TO HONOR COL. CHAD A. CLARK AND KATHERINE “KATIE” TOMMASEO AS THE 2026 MAN AND WOMAN OF THE YEAR
It will be a night to celebrate parish pride when Col. Chad A. Clark and Katherine Tommaseo are honored by the St. Bernard Business & Professional Women’s Club (BPW) at its 64th Man and Woman of the Year Gala.
Taking place Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette, the event begins with a cash bar at 6:15 p.m., with dinner and the program to follow at 7 p.m.
Tickets may be purchased by contacting Lena Nunez at (504) 491-5266 or Wanda Alcon at (504) 451-3694 before Oct. 16. There will be no “will call” tickets or tickets sold at the door.
The 2026 Man of the Year, St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Col. Chad A. Clark, is a lifelong resident of St. Bernard Parish who has dedicated more than 30 years of service to the residents of the parish through his career in law enforcement and his involvement in community leadership and public service.
He joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1993 and has risen through the ranks through hard work, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to protecting and serving his community. A member of Sheriff James Pohlmann’s executive command staff and the agency’s hiring board, Col. Clark currently serves as commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau and chief of detectives, overseeing major criminal investigations and strategic crime-fighting initiatives throughout St. Bernard Parish.
Col. Clark and his team of detectives have developed a state-of-the-art Real Time Crime Center through federally funded assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. His contributions to public safety are also evident through his involvement with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
A proud graduate of Chalmette High School and Nunez Community College, Col. Clark has also pursued extensive executive-level education and advanced law enforcement training throughout his career. He is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy and has attended programs through the University of Virginia School of Continuing and Professional Studies, the University of Mississippi Command College and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar. In 2024, he graduated from Leadership St. Bernard, further demonstrating his dedication to community engagement and civic leadership.
His professionalism and commitment to service have earned him numerous honors, including the Community Service Award from the Rotary Club of St. Bernard, the Kiwanis LifeSaver Award, the International Narcotics Association Commendation Award and the Secretary of Defense Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Patriotic Employer Award.
He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Ducks Unlimited, Chalmette High Alumni Association and Rotary Club of St. Bernard. He also serves as a board member for the St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce and supports organizations and events such as Special Olympics, League of Angels, St. Bernard Autism Krewe, the Rotary Club Spelling Bee, Cops for Christmas, Cook-Off for the Coast and Hogs for the Cause.
In addition to serving his community through more than three decades of public service, Col. Clark’s dedication to improving the lives of others was especially evident when he selflessly gave the gift of life by donating a kidney to his father-in-law, Harold Anderson.
Col. Clark and his wife, Denise, have three children and one grandchild.
The 2026 BPW Woman of the Year, Katherine”Katie” Tommaseo, is also a devoted professional and lifelong resident of St. Bernard Parish. She currently serves as Executive Director of Tourism & Film for St. Bernard Parish Government and is involved in a wide array of events, festivals and commemorations.
She and her staff work tirelessly with community and statewide partners to promote St. Bernard Parish and the great state of Louisiana, helping to stimulate economic growth, create job opportunities and showcase the community as a world-class destination that both residents and visitors can enjoy.
Katie’s love of St. Bernard can also be seen through the many titles and honors she has received over the years. She has reigned as Queen of the Irish, Italian, Islenos Parade, the Krewe of Lourdes and the Los Islenos Fiesta, and she served as Goddess of Nemesis.
Katie is an active member of the St. Bernard Business & Professional Women’s Club and serves as co-chair of the organization’s annual fashion show. She also has been recognized by BPW as a “Model Working Woman.”
She is active in countless community events and chairs the annual Battle of New Orleans Commemoration. Her patriotism and respect for our nation’s veterans are evident in all that she does, while her parish pride shines through at events such as the annual St. Bernard Day at the Capitol.
For her tireless efforts, Katie received the Pelican of Distinction Award last year from Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser for her outstanding leadership, unwavering dedication and lasting contributions to Louisiana’s tourism industry.
Katie’s commitment to her community can also be seen through the various leadership roles she has taken on. She serves as a board member of numerous organizations, including the St. Bernard America 250 Committee, St. Bernard Tourist Commission, Elaine P. Nunez Community College Foundation, Louisiana Film & Entertainment Association, Louisiana Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus, St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce, St. Bernard Economic Development Foundation and Keep St. Bernard Beautiful.
A lifelong resident of the parish, Katie was a standout student-athlete at Chalmette High School and Nicholls State University, where she excelled both in the classroom and on the volleyball court, earning an array of titles and awards.
She is married to Rocco “Rocky” Tommaseo of the iconic Rocky & Carlos restaurant. Together, they are the proud parents of their All-American powerlifting son, Nicco.
