About Us

Veneeth Iyengar

Executive Director

Veneeth is responsible for coordinating efforts among federal, state and local leaders to eliminate the digital divide in Louisiana by 2029. Previously, he was an Assistant Chief Administrative Officer for East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome. During his time, the parish saw the best year in history for economic development projects. His role included outreach to executives from leading tech, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies throughout the country and involvement in economic development deals--including the recent Amazon acquisition of Cortana Mall and the redevelopment of a 76,000 square-foot hospital building.

Veneeth was asked by Gov. John Bel Edwards to co-chair his Resilient Louisiana Healthcare Task Force, which included the CEOs of Ochsner, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. The task force recommended approaches to create an innovative healthcare economy given the challenges posed by the pandemic. Previous to his time as a public servant, Veneeth helped build the Venture Capital/Private Equity healthcare practice for Sage Growth Partners and worked in the Office of the Honorable Robert Mosbacher Jr., former CEO of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation under President George W. Bush.

Veneeth was named a 2018 Forty under 40 in Baton Rouge by the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, named a 2020 Leadership Louisiana Recipient by the Council for Better Louisiana, elected to the Board of the Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation in 2019 and appointed as a chairman for Innovation Catalyst, an evergreen investment fund in 2019.

He received his Master of Science in finance from Johns Hopkins University and his Bachelor of Science in economics from Purdue University. Veneeth grew up in Baton Rouge and attended Baton Rouge High School.

I am grateful to be given this awesome opportunity to partner with the people of Louisiana to solve the digital divide by 2029. ConnectLA is designed with a singular mission to be your resource in developing tactical, innovative and creative ways to address issues around access, affordability and literacy, and we will achieve our vision in partnership with the community.

Thomas Tyler Jr.

Deputy Director

Thomas has experience in technology strategy, cybersecurity concerns, economic development and public policy disciplines. Throughout the past 13 years, he has operated in a variety of roles supporting public and private entities. Most recently, he served as a consultant and adviser for one of the nation’s leading cybersecurity and technology advisory practices. Thomas' experience includes providing information security and technology strategy, consulting and training services to a variety of clients. He has also been responsible for developing growth strategies and leading training for a variety of industry groups and clients, including the Business Resource Network, the Society of Louisiana CPAs and the Louisiana Bankers Association.

Previously, Thomas led Louisiana Economic Development’s Digital Interactive Media and Software Development Incentive Program, administering and growing one of the nation’s strongest and most comprehensive incentive programs for this industry. He assisted companies and startups of all sizes to facilitate statewide investments into workforce development opportunities. Thomas is a Baton Rouge native and a graduate of LSU where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science.

As a lifelong resident of our great state, I understand the importance of enhancing the quality of life for every Louisianian. I know that the actions our office is taking will ensure that the future of Louisiana is bright for everyone.

Glen Howie Jr.

Senior Policy Analyst

Glen is a seasoned professional, bringing a unique set of professional experience, education and commitment to community with experience in both the private and public sectors. A community banker for nearly a decade, he brings practical experience and demonstrated expertise in team leadership, operational management, business development, community engagement and interpersonal communication. Glen previously served as an advisory board member of the Leadership Excel Program, a leadership development program in Acadia and Jefferson Davis parishes. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Rotary Club of Crowley, assisting in several impactful, community-based philanthropic efforts.

Most recently, Glen served in the administration of East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome where he worked on critical economic development efforts in the wake of the pandemic, including the launch of the Resilient Restart EBR Micro-grant Program. Glen earned both his undergraduate degree in finance and a master’s degree in public administration from LSU. Upon completion of his MPA program, he was selected as the recipient of the David B. Johnson Award for Academic Excellence, highlighting his academic achievement, critical analysis of public policy issues and commitment to improving public management.

Having family from some of the most rural parts of our state, namely Richland and Plaquemines parishes, I fully understand the digital divide. As a teenager, I can still remember having to go to a certain corner of a certain room in a certain section of my grandmother’s house in Start, La., to simply be able to send a text. The digital divide faced today by hundreds of thousands of Louisianians goes far beyond simply sending a text; it includes being able to complete a homework assignment, search for a job or schedule a telehealth visit. The work we are doing will affect lives for the better, and I’m honored to be a part of it.