Mayor Friday Ellis is a United States Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and two-term Mayor of Monroe, Louisiana, whose leadership is rooted in service, innovation, economic opportunity, and a commitment to building stronger communities.

Born in rural Rayville, Louisiana, Ellis made Monroe his home, where he met his wife, Ashley. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps. After completing his military service, Ellis pursued his entrepreneurial ambitions, founding Governors Cigar and Pipe and developing his own premium cigar brands, Governor and First Lady, which reached customers around the world.

His experience as a business owner shaped his approach to public service, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, strategic investment, collaboration, and creating opportunities for businesses and families to thrive.
Since taking office in 2020, Mayor Ellis has focused on positioning Monroe for long-term economic growth through infrastructure modernization, public safety, neighborhood revitalization, workforce development, and quality-of-life investments. His administration has advanced significant investments in streets, drainage, parks, recreation, and downtown revitalization while championing innovative public-private partnerships, including a landmark $27 million partnership with AT&T to expand high-speed fiber connectivity throughout Monroe.

Under his leadership, Monroe has experienced substantial reductions in violent crime, expanded investment in community infrastructure, and strengthened its position as a regional center for economic development. His administration has emphasized the importance of preparing communities for growth by investing not only in infrastructure and business development but also in the people and neighborhoods that make a city thrive.

Recognizing that regional collaboration is essential to long-term prosperity, Mayor Ellis has taken on an expanding role in state and regional leadership. Governor Jeff Landry appointed him to the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council and as a Louisiana Commissioner on the Southern Rail Commission. In October 2026, Ellis was elected to the Southern Rail Commission’s Executive Committee, strengthening Northeast Louisiana’s representation in efforts to expand passenger rail connectivity and regional economic opportunity. He also serves as President of the Louisiana Conference of Mayors.

Mayor Ellis has participated in executive leadership and professional development programs at Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Graduate School of Design, as well as programs through Leadership Louisiana, the Delta Leadership Institute, and Smart Growth America. His leadership has earned recognition from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, and other organizations.

A frequent speaker on municipal innovation, economic development, and community leadership, Mayor Ellis has participated in state, regional, and national forums, including the Heartland Summit, Groundswell Conference, Future Louisiana Conference, and Louisiana Smart Growth Summit. He has also served as a guest speaker at Harvard University’s Mayors’ Institute on City Design and is scheduled to participate as a panelist at the National League of Cities City Summit in Nashville, Tennessee.

Mayor Ellis and his wife, Ashley, a longtime educator and former member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, have three children: Friday III, Asher, and Aurie.

Guided by the belief that leadership is stewardship, Mayor Ellis remains committed to preparing Monroe for the opportunities of tomorrow while improving the quality of life for the people he serves.

Leadership, Service & Professional Distinctions
Government Appointments & Professional Service

• Executive Committee Member, Southern Rail Commission — Elected October 2026. Elected by fellow commissioners to serve in regional leadership, supporting passenger rail expansion, transportation connectivity, and economic development across the South.
• Commissioner, Southern Rail Commission. Appointed by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to represent Louisiana in regional passenger rail and transportation initiatives.
• Member, Louisiana Workforce Investment Council. Appointed by Governor Jeff Landry to support statewide workforce development strategies, employer engagement, and economic competitiveness.
• President, Louisiana Conference of Mayors. Providing leadership and advocacy for municipalities across Louisiana.
• Louisiana Legislative Task Force on Economic Recovery — 2020.Served on the task force charged with developing policy, legislative, and regulatory recommendations to support Louisiana’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Executive Education & Leadership Development

• Harvard Graduate School of Design — Mayors’ Institute on City Design, 2023. Participant in the national leadership program focused on urban design, community development, and the role of mayors in shaping the built environment.
• Harvard Kennedy School — Authentic Leadership Executive Education, 2022. Executive leadership development focused on personal leadership, organizational effectiveness, and public service.
• Smart Growth America — Champions Institute, 2023. Leadership development focused on community planning, economic opportunity, and sustainable growth.
• Delta Leadership Institute — Graduate, 2022. Regional leadership development focused on economic and community advancement across the Mississippi Delta.
• Leadership Louisiana — Graduate, 2019. Statewide leadership program connecting professionals and civic leaders from across Louisiana.

Awards & Professional Recognition

• Leadership Award — Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, 2022.Recognition for leadership in historic preservation and community revitalization.
• Free Enterprise Champion — Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), 2019. Recognition for supporting entrepreneurship, business development, and free enterprise.
• Vanguard Award. Recognition for efforts to advance women’s empowerment and inclusion in Northeast Louisiana.
• Top 20 Under 40 — Monroe Professional Leadership Recognition.Recognition for professional achievement and community involvement.

National & Regional Speaking Engagements

• National League of Cities City Summit | Nashville, Tennessee. Invited panelist for the Small Cities Council meeting, discussing economic growth, community development, and opportunities facing small cities. (Upcoming — November 2026)
• Harvard University — Mayors’ Institute on City Design. Guest speaker addressing municipal leadership, community design, and strategies for strengthening cities.
• Groundswell Conference | Decatur, Alabama. Featured speaker addressing community leadership, economic development, and community growth.
• Future Louisiana Conference | Lake Charles, Louisiana. Speaker discussing Louisiana’s future and economic opportunities.
• Louisiana Smart Growth Summit | Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Panelist for Rural Growth and Opportunity.
• Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association Conference | Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Invited session leader discussing economic development and community growth.
• Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) | Lake Charles, Louisiana. Speaker at a legislative-focused event.
• Heartland Summit | Bentonville, Arkansas. Invited panelist discussing community leadership, regional collaboration, and economic opportunity.

Leadership Philosophy
“The strongest communities are not built by simply chasing opportunity. They are built by becoming places opportunity cannot ignore.”
— Mayor Friday Ellis