Phyllis Coleman Mouton was born and raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. She attended elementary school at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School and is a graduate of Paul Breaux High School. After graduating from ULL with a B.S. in Computer Science and Management, Phyllis became the first African American employed as a Computer Analyst for Martin Marietta Aerospace in Orlando, Florida. In 1972, she and her husband opened Circle M Supply Company Inc., an oil field drilling supply firm; she was leading in a nontraditional industry at 27 years old.
At the age of 35 years old, she became the first African American and first woman President of the Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. Two years later, at the age of 37, she became the first African American woman Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Labor. She was the only woman and African American to participate in international economic development trips with regional Governors and the State of Louisiana.
Phyllis earned an Executive MBA from LSU and completed all requirements at Southern University in Public Policy.
In 1997, Phyllis joined Baton Rouge Community College and served as Vice President of Workfore and Economic Development until her retirement in 2017. She was named Distinguished Retiree. She was the first African American woman President of Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, the fourth largest club in the world with 500+ members, and the first African American to serve as interim CEO of Capital Area United Way.
Phyllis has served in leadership for so many Boards and Commissions. She belongs to Women United, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, Emeritus Board member of Southern Mutual Help Association, Moncus Park and PASA, and Founder and President of Women of Wisdom (WOW).
Phyllis is married to Lyle Mouton, Sr. and they have three children: Lyle, Jr, Lynn and Leah and seven grandchildren: Alexis, Kayla, Cameron, Keegan, Cole, Khloe and Kaden.
Her favorite motto is:
"Never forget where you have come from, BUT never allow where you have come from to keep you from where you are going."
