Friday Ellis

Friday Ellis is an entrepreneur, United States Marine Corps veteran, and Mayor of Monroe, Louisiana, who believes the strongest communities are not built by simply chasing opportunity. They are built by becoming places opportunity cannot ignore.

Following the attacks of September 11, Ellis answered the call to serve by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. After military service, he built a successful brick-and-mortar business and developed premium cigar brands that reached customers around the globe.

As Mayor, he has championed innovation, including Monroe’s first-of-its-kind partnership with AT&T to deliver citywide next-generation broadband. He has led investments in downtown revitalization, parks, public art, neighborhood revitalization, and infrastructure. He believes thriving communities are created through vision, disciplined execution, and regional collaboration.

Governor Jeff Landry appointed Ellis to the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council and as Louisiana’s Commissioner on the Southern Rail Commission. He serves as President of the Louisiana Conference of Mayors and is a graduate of Harvard Kennedy School’s Authentic Leadership Development Program. Ellis has also been invited to speak at the Heartland Summit and Harvard University’s Mayors’ Institute on City Design.