JOHN F. K. BELTON

Owner and Vice President of The Belton Companies. In addition to his responsibilities as President, John leads The Vested Group, LLC real estate investments, and serves as the managing partner for Belton & Belton, Attorneys at Law. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Southern University Law Center and his undergraduate degree from McNeese State University.

He has a wealth of administrative experience in both the public and private sectors. From 1999 to 2005, he served on the Southern University Board of Supervisors. In 2001, he was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Board and re-elected to a second term by a unanimous vote of his peers for the year, 2002.

In his leadership post as Chairman, he managed and supervised the largest and only Historically Black University System in the nation, consisting of five (5) academic campuses, over 15,000 students, $160 million dollar annual budget, and approximately 2,800 employees. As a member of the Board of Directors for First National Bank, he is responsible for the financial management of assets in excess of $200 million dollars. As a member of the Board of Directors for Lincoln Health System Foundation, he is responsible for the financial management of assets in excess of $26 million dollars. He also serves as the Chairman of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum Commission, and has served as an Adjunct Professor at Grambling State University.

JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY BELTON
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
THIRD JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Mr. Belton is a career prosecutor who has dedicated 23 years to serving his community as a courtroom advocate. On November 4, 2014, he was elected as the first African-American District Attorney for The Third Judicial District which includes Lincoln and Union Parishes.

He received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Southern University Law Center in 1990 and his undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Arts) in 1986 from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

He is a member of the United States 5th Circuit Court of appeals, Western, Middle and Eastern Federal District Courts, Louisiana Bar Association, Federal Bar Association, Lincoln Bar Association, and the Louis Martinet Society.

He is an experienced courtroom litigator in both the criminal and civil courts. He conducts legal seminars and advises law enforcement officers on criminal proceedings and procedure.

He has a wealth of administrative experience in both the public and private sectors. From 1999 to 2005, he served on the Southern University Board of Supervisors. In 2001, he was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Board and re-elected to a second term by a unanimous vote of his peers for the year, 2002. In his leadership post as Chairman, he managed and supervised the largest and only Historically Black University System in the nation, consisting of five (5) academic campuses, over 15,000 students, $160 million dollar annual budget, and approximately 2,800 employees. As a member of the Board of Directors for First National Bank, he governs the management of assets in excess of $200 million dollars. As a member of the Board of Directors for Lincoln Health System Foundation, he governs the management of assets in excess of $26 million dollars. He and his wife, Alana, own and operate The Belton Companies which holdings include real estate, restaurants, and legal services.

He is associated with numerous community and civic groups (past and/or present): Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce, Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club of North Central Louisiana, Boy Scouts of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Methodist Children’s Home, North Louisiana Legal Aid Council, United Way of Northeast Louisiana, Jaycees of America, Domestic Abuse Resistant Team (DART), and Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL). He also serves as the Chairman of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum Commission, and has served as an Adjunct Professor at Grambling State University. He is a lifetime member of the Grambling University National Alumni Association.

As a result of his exemplary leadership, community service and invaluable contributions, he has received the commendations of numerous organizations. On August 1, 2001, he was graced with one of Southern University Law Center’s highest honors, the Southern University Law Center Distinguished Alumni Award. And in 2013, He received the Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce Calvin Wilkerson Award for his exceptional contributions to the community. The Ruston–‐Lincoln Chamber of Commerce presented Belton with the Hospitality Award for the Eddie G. Robinson Museum in 2011. Belton also received the Ruston Peach Tourism Service Award, the Magnolia State Peace Officers Association Award for Commitment & Contributions, and the Ruston Jaycees’ Outstanding and Unselfish Service Award.