Ravenel Mixon, who has served as the parish’s 911 director for 11 years, is Louisiana’s Director of the Year.
She received the award at an April 27-29 symposium in Bossier City hosted by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials and the National Emergency Number Association.
Mixon said the award means everything to her because she was nominated by her own team.
“Their voices matter most,” Mixon said. “To be recognized by them tells me that I am leading in a way that is making a real impact.”
Mixon has dedicated more than 21 years to public safety communications. She was a certified training officer, shift supervisor, shift manager and quality assurance manager before taking her role as 911 director.
“Over the years, I worked my way up through the ranks, beginning as a communications specialist and gaining experience in every position within the 911 center,” Mixon said. “That journey has given me a deep understanding of both the work and the people behind it. Investing in people and helping them grow has always been at the core of who I am.”
Mixon was raised in Hahnville and Killona, and she is a product of St. Charles Parish public schools. She has five children and one grandchild, and she has been married to her husband, Shawn, for 15 years.
A career in law enforcement was not what Mixon expected 21 years ago. She grew up in environments where police were not always viewed positively, but a close friend encouraged her to consider it.
“I quickly fell in love with the work, and it has never felt like just a job,” Mixon said. “I found purpose. I discovered the impact of being a steady, reassuring voice during someone’s worst moment and the value of helping people navigate crisis with clarity and calm.”
For Mixon, the work of a 911 center is rooted in human connection during some of the most critical moments in people’s lives.
“We are often the first point of contact in an emergency, and that responsibility carries significant weight,” she said. “Because of that, leading a team that serves the public at their most vulnerable is both an honor and a responsibility.”
She said she wants residents to know that behind every call is a highly trained, deeply committed professional whose sole priority is their safety.
“Every call represents a promise that someone will answer, listen and act with urgency and care,” she said. “This work is not just a job; it is a calling and a critical part of public safety.”
Mixon oversees the 24/7 communications center and focuses on people, performance and culture.
“I firmly believe that when you invest in people, excellence follows,” she said. “That means creating an environment where individuals are supported, challenged, and equipped to grow.”
Winning the award felt like confirmation that she was on the right path, Mixon said.
“As a mother and a wife who values family deeply, there have been times when the demands of this role required difficult choices,” she said. “Those moments are never easy, but this recognition is a reminder that the sacrifices mattered and they were worth it.”
