Meet Our Team
Renee Amar
Renee Amar is the Executive Director for the Louisiana Motor Transport Association-the state’s premier voice for trucking. She is also executive director for LMTA’s Foundation, which focuses on education and research specific to the industry. She manages TruckPAC, the association’s political action committee and is the Program Director for the Louisiana Trucking Education and Research Council, a quasi governmental not for profit body. She serves on numerous boards representing the interests of the trucking industry.
Previously she served as the state director for the National Federation of Independent Business-the voice for small business, Small Business and Healthcare Policy Director and deputy of Political Action for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry-the state’s chamber of commerce, and Vice President for the Pelican Institute-the state’s free market think tank.
Amar founded a non-profit in 2020, Louisiana Women Lead, to recruit and train center-right women to run for office.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, pursued her master’s in social work from Louisiana State University and obtained her paralegal certificate from the Salt Lake Community College.
She resides in Baton Rouge with her husband Randy and their 3 dogs-2 Malinois’ and 1 lab-Reba, Marty & Winston. She has 3 grown children-Damon, Brandt & Chloe, and is an active member of St James Episcopal Church. She volunteers her time with her church and various animal welfare shelters in the area.
Lyia Higgs
Lyia joined the LMTA in August 2023. She has a bachelor's degree in mass communication, specializing in Public Relations from Southern University, and a master's in strategic communications. Lyia brings over three years of industry experience to her role.
As Communications Manager, Lyia plays a pivotal role in shaping the LMTA's strategic communications vision. She is behind the content and campaigns for our emails, websites, newsletters, social media, and events. Additionally, Lyia serves as the managing editor for Open Road, LMTA's flagship publication, and is responsible for curating the annual member directory. Beyond her professional life, Lyia finds joy in journaling and immersing herself in music.
Burton Comeaux
Burton has been with LMTA since March of 2021. After serving in the U.S. Army for six years, he left the service and entered the private sector. He entered the field of restaurant operations and was a district manager with ten locations in the Baton Rouge market. He left operations management and started in the bookkeeping field in 2007. An interesting fact about Burton is that at one time he carried a CDL and drove over the road for a bit, so he is no stranger to the trucking industry!
As Accounting Director, Burton maintains payroll, accounts payable and receivables for the association, as well as, the TruckPAC and Louisiana Household Goods Carriers’ Association. Burton also maintains all event and sponsorship invoicing for the organization.
In the past Burton was a competitive trap shooter and won the 1999 Louisiana State Trap “Class C” Singles Championship and was runner up in the handicap competition.
Support staff
gavin johnson
Communications Assistant
gavin@lmta.la | 225-928-5682
Social media manager for LMTA, LMTA Foundation & Tolls Are A Double Tax campaign. Communications Assistant for Lyia Higgs.