From the pine forests of North Louisiana to the Gulf Coast’s working waterfronts, CPEX’s work spans the state. But our footprint wasn’t always this big. For our 20th anniversary, we’re sharing some of the people and projects that have brought us to where we are today.

Elizabeth “Boo” Thomas
CPEX Founder & President Emerita

What led to CPEX’s creation?

CPEX grew out of the realization that Louisiana lacked a shared understanding of what good planning could accomplish. After Plan Baton Rouge and then Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, it became clear that recovery couldn’t just be about rebuilding roads, houses, and drainage systems. It had to be about shaping a stronger, more resilient future. I dreamed of solutions that weren’t prompted by devastation. Regular people were hungry for knowledge, choices, and a voice in how their communities would grow. CPEX was created to meet that need.

What early challenges shaped the organization’s trajectory?

We were building an organization in the midst of disaster recovery, with a staff of four and no roadmap. Those challenges forced us to be collaborative, disciplined, and fearless. There were skepticism and resistance from established institutions and professionals, as well as intense pressure to move fast while getting it right. At the same time, we had to become a nonprofit, create sound governance structures, and earn the trust of communities and leaders across the state. But we had a crucial asset: the support of John G. Davies, former director of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF). John gave us a blueprint for forming a strong organization and opened doors with donors, leaders, and elected officials.

What values guided your leadership at CPEX?

Integrity guided every decision. It was important to determine whether something aligned with my beliefs before moving forward. Collaboration was also essential because no meaningful change happens in a vacuum. I believe in listening first to experienced leaders, taking accountability, and never worrying about who gets credit. Getting the work done the right way was what mattered most.

What inspired your commitment to CPEX’s mission?

I grew up in Abbeville and saw firsthand how community character can be lost or protected by the choices we make. Attending conferences and learning from the best planners illustrated what was possible when people are prioritized. Louisiana has a deep culture of gathering, connection, and joy, and our communities should reflect that. CPEX became a way to honor that spirit while building resilience.

What projects or initiatives best illustrate CPEX’s mission?

Louisiana Speaks remains the clearest example of our mission in action. It gave people choices and a voice at an unprecedented scale. When the legislature adopted the International Building Code (IBC) in 2007, structures built to the IBC were standing after Hurricane Ike hit in 2008. The Smart Growth Summit also embodies who we are. It brings citizens and professionals together to learn and imagine better outcomes. And our work in small towns shows that good planning isn’t just for big cities. Change is possible everywhere. 

How do you see CPEX’s role in shaping Louisiana’s future and responding to emerging challenges?

I see CPEX as a beacon of hope. We are a trusted, collaborative partner, especially at times when coordination feels most difficult. We will continue to open doors that feel slammed shut. And we will always take the high road and find a pathway for progress to ensure a better future for our people. If you focus on integrity and inclusion, even critics can become allies.

Kim Marousek’s Journey to CPEX
Kim is CPEX’s VP of Planning

What brought you to Louisiana?

I first came to Louisiana right after Hurricane Katrina. Watching the devastation from Washington state, I felt strongly that I needed to help. Within weeks, I joined a recovery planning team and arrived just after Thanksgiving 2005. Those first months made a deep impression—the people, the scale of the work ahead, and the sense of purpose. I met people who were dedicating every ounce of their energy and expertise to rebuilding, including the man who would later become my husband.

Why did you choose to stay?

When I returned to Washington, I realized I wasn’t finished with the work here. Every time I flew home during those early recovery months, the contrast between life in Washington and life in Louisiana was jarring. I knew I wanted to be part of the long‑term rebuilding effort. I moved back permanently in 2007 and have been here ever since.

How did you find your way to CPEX?

My path to CPEX was years in the making. I met Camille, who is now CPEX’s president and CEO, during Katrina recovery work and stayed connected through projects like Louisiana Speaks. While I spent many years working in St. John and St. Charles parishes, I always admired CPEX’s mission. When the opportunity to join the team came in 2022, it felt like a natural next step, like closing the loop on the work that first brought me here.

What role does Louisiana’s history and culture play in planning?

Louisiana’s deep generational ties to land shape how communities see change. That long history includes both cherished culture and difficult legacies, especially along the river. All of it makes planning more complex, but also more meaningful. People’s connection to place is strong here, and when planning honors that, it can create positive, lasting change.

What is your favorite thing about working at CPEX?

The easy answer is the people. But I also appreciate that CPEX is a place that always encourages its employees to look to the horizon for new opportunities to improve people’s lives. It’s never boring, and the quest is never complete.

Louisiana Speaks: CPEX’s Foundation
Read the full story behind Louisiana Speaks and its lasting influence on planning in our state

A Monumental Shift

In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana faced an unprecedented crisis, and an equally unprecedented opportunity to rethink the future. Louisiana Speaks emerged from this moment as the largest planning effort in state history, engaging more than 27,000 residents across Louisiana and beyond. Their input shaped a shared vision for recovery rooted in sustainability, smarter growth, and regional collaboration. For many Louisianans, the process itself became a powerful step toward healing, offering a way to imagine a future stronger than the storms that had taken so much.

A Blueprint in Action

Louisiana Speaks wasn’t just a plan. It became the foundation for sweeping policy changes and long‑term resilience strategies. The process helped catalyze the creation of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), set the stage for major flood‑protection investments like the Lake Borgne Surge Barrier, and informed local planning efforts from Lake Charles to the River Parishes. It also played a crucial role in securing federal support for rebuilding, bringing national attention to the need for stronger, safer, and smarter approaches to growth.

Where We Stand

Two decades later, gaps remain. While some progress has been made in resilient land‑use planning, other lingering unaddressed challenges leave us vulnerable to events like the 2016 floods. Leaders involved in the early work note that the biggest barrier today isn’t a lack of solutions but a lack of sustained willpower. Rural communities, in particular, still face significant challenges, from transportation access to rising environmental risks. The lesson from Louisiana Speaks remains clear: what’s missing is consistent, statewide commitment.

Wins Worth Celebrating

Despite uneven progress, Louisiana Speaks sparked lasting change. Stronger statewide building codes, improved emergency preparedness, and a clearer public understanding of how development patterns affect safety and quality of life all trace back to this effort. The plan also helped reshape state leadership priorities. Every governor since Katrina has taken resilience seriously. Perhaps most importantly, Louisiana Speaks laid the groundwork for CPEX itself, creating a statewide hub for planning excellence. That legacy continues today in advancements like the state’s 2022 establishment of a long‑range planning section within the Office of Planning and Budget.

The Path Forward

Twenty years later, the question persists: Did we listen? The answer is partly. Louisiana has grown stronger and safer in many ways, but the work remains unfinished. Louisiana Speaks is still relevant as climate impacts intensify and communities face compounding risks. Fulfilling that vision requires renewed coordination, long‑term investment, and the collective will to plan proactively rather than reactively. As CPEX marks its 20th anniversary, we remain committed to carrying this foundation forward, empowering communities, and advancing a future where Louisiana truly becomes stronger, safer, and smarter.

Jeana Gomez	Ruthie Losavio	Luka Hernandez
Director of Resilience & Adaptation Learn more about Jeana	Communications Manager Learn more about Ruthie	Design Intern Learn more about Luka

Whether you’re exploring specific openings or interested in joining our talented team, we welcome passionate professionals who share our commitment to advancing equity and building stronger communities in Louisiana.

Explore other opportunities at CPEX!

2025 Recycling Wrapped

Last year, our operations coordinator, Dot Bourgeois, tracked CPEX’s recycling and waste reduction metrics. Here are the results!