Lauren M. Lopez recognized early – before graduating as her high school’s valedictorian – that she possessed a special aptitude for numbers, and especially accounting. This realization motivated her to earn a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business management from South Louisiana Community College, where she was recognized with the Outstanding Graduate Award for her exemplary performance. She then quickly completed a technical diploma in accounting and business office administration at the Lafayette campus of Acadiana Technical College.
Today, Ms. Lopez prominently applies her professional prowess as chief financial officer at two companies: the Mid South Chemical Company and Mid South Disaster Solutions, both based in Ringgold, Louisiana. Her expertise in accounting, process development, and organizational management has been instrumental in the rapid growth and operational success of these firms in recent years.
At Mid South Disaster Solutions, for example, Ms. Lopez has been a key player since its founding in 2022. The company was initially comprised of a small team, including the project manager, owner, and Ms. Lopez. Under her financial leadership, the organization significantly expanded, employing additional staff, including an assistant to support Ms. Lopez’s many responsibilities. She has overseen strategic investments in equipment, including the purchase of tankers and other assets to ensure readiness during hurricanes and national disasters. She also has directed efforts to contract necessary labor and transportation resources while guiding the company’s initiative to position assets across multiple states for enhanced responsiveness.
Simultaneously, at the Mid South Chemical Company, a water treatment enterprise specializing in hauling potable water, Ms. Lopez has been integral in promoting the company’s offerings nationwide and ensuring that their services meet the highest safety standards. The company guarantees the safety of delivered water and educates clients about potential risks associated with stagnant pipes, such as Legionella contamination. To address this, Ms. Lopez has championed the distribution of point-of-use filters that provide complete safety for vulnerable populations, including individuals with critical illnesses and the elderly.
Prior to her executive roles, Ms. Lopez began her tenure at Mid South Chemical Company as an accountant in 2021, where she contributed to financial operations and process improvements that laid the groundwork for her advancement to chief financial officer. Beforehand, Ms. Lopez worked as an accountant with Prime Restaurant Development LLC. In this capacity, she managed complex financial records and supported business growth through diligent oversight of best practices. Her earlier experience included a stint as an accountant and sales professional at Nick Stelly Welding and Machine in Rayne, Louisiana, balancing dual responsibilities in finance and client relations, and further honing her skills in process development and team coordination. Ms. Lopez’s career began as an accountant for several years at Rotating Solutions. While there, she developed foundational expertise in accounting systems and internal controls.
Ms. Lopez credits her professional success to her drive and willingness to learn from mistakes, viewing each challenge as an opportunity for growth and discovery. She believes that continuous learning is essential to living life fully—a philosophy that has guided her throughout her career. Also civically engaged, Ms. Lopez is a donor and sponsor for Faith House, supporting battered women in need, and volunteers her time assisting local schools. A Lafayette, Louisiana, native, she is a devoted mother to her son, Lincoln, and enjoys personal interests such as deer hunting and freshwater fishing.
Looking ahead professionally, Ms. Lopez and her colleagues aspire for the Mid South Chemical Company to become an all-inclusive provider of safe water solutions for critically ill and elderly individuals across home health settings, hospitals, and nursing homes nationwide—ensuring access to vital resources during natural disasters. Ms. Lopez’s career has consistently demonstrated the same commitment to excellence, leadership, and public service.