Senator Mark Abraham

Louisiana State Senator

mabraham@legis.la.gov

Mark T. Abraham has made substantial contributions to both his community through public service and his business career. With a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University, Mark's extensive involvement in various organizations showcases his commitment to public service. He has served as the President of the Lake Charles City Council, Lake Charles Port Authority, and remains a Board Member of the Casa Aleluya, a Guatemalan orphanage. Mark's entrepreneurial ventures include co-ownership of Gulf Island Shrimp and Seafood and Big Easy Foods. While he is currently the LA State Senator for District 25, Mark previously represented District 36 for a four-year term.

Kevin Ainsworth

Partner, Jones Walker

kainsworth@joneswalker.com

Sponsor

Kevin Ainsworth is the co-leader of Jones Walker’s Government Relations Practice Group, where his practice focuses on legislative advocacy and government relations. He assists companies and employers across Louisiana and the United States by developing and communicating legislative priorities and regulatory policies that promote increased economic employment and business growth. Kevin's areas of focus include issues relevant to energy, agriculture, insurance, e-commerce/internet, financial institutions, manufacturing, and other industries.

Anthony Appleton

Offshore Wind Director, Burns & McDonnell

aappleton@burnsmcd.com

With over 25 years of experience in the energy sector, I currently serve as Offshore Wind Director at Burns & McDonnell where I lead offshore wind initiatives. I’ve worked across conventional thermal power, gas and nuclear generation markets. Previously a consultant for Burns & McDonnell, I’ve spent the last 15 years leading organizations and teams in the Offshore Renewables and Interconnection global markets, working on over 35 offshore wind farms across the globe.

I have extensive international experience working at government, utility and developer level including working with British Government and Government Departments overseas. My specialties include managerial, commercial and business development with an outstanding track record of developing, implementing and delivering power and infrastructure strategy.

With the global energy sector on the cusp of a renewables revolution, our team supports offshore wind projects that will help provide efficient, sustainable energy for the years to come. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my wife, watching my son play 1st team rugby at Blaydon and listening to my daughter play music at various locations in the UK. I am also a STEM Ambassador.

Burns & McDonnell is a full-service engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting solutions firm with more than 7,500 engineers, architects, construction professionals, planners, estimators, economists, technicians and scientists, representing virtually all design disciplines. We plan, design, permit, construct and manage facilities all over the world, with one mission in mind: make our clients successful. Being 100 percent employee-owned, we are each personally dedicated to making every client project a success. It drives our teams to provide tailored solutions that solve some of our customers’ greatest challenges.

Gavin Black

Vice President & General Counsel, Moran Shipping Agencies, Inc.

gblack@moranshipping.com

Gavin R. Black serves as Vice President and Corporate Counsel for Moran Transportation Industries. He is a graduate of the Roger Williams School of Law and University of Rhode Island Marine Affairs Institute. Gavin is a member of the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Federal US District of Rhode Island Bar.

He is active in the maritime community with participation in the North Atlantic Ports Association, Maritime Law Association of the United States and is currently is serving as Port President of the Propeller Club of the United States, Narragansett Bay Chapter.

Gavin resides in Tiverton, RI with his wife Erin and sons Michael, Benjamin and Samuel.

Anthony Bodin

Senior Offshore Wind Developer, RWE Renewables

Anthony.Bodin@rwe.com

Sponsor

Anthony Bodin manages corporate attraction and lead generation initiatives for Greater New Orleans, Inc. As Director of Business Development, he is responsible for identifying new opportunities for Greater New Orleans by proactively marketing the region to domestic and international prospects. He works closely with regional partners on executing economic development projects across strategic industry sectors.

Prior to his role with GNO, Inc., Anthony served as Assistant Director for International Commerce for Louisiana Economic Development, the state agency for economic development. In this role, Anthony coordinated a network of global representatives and managed Louisiana’s international business development efforts. His responsibilities included uncovering new foreign investment projects with high job-growth potential for Louisiana and monitoring global economic trends.

Before moving to Louisiana, Anthony worked as a Research Analyst for the International Crisis Group’s Africa field office. As part of his advocacy role, he helped prepare policy briefs and regional situation reports with a particular focus on the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Anthony started his career with the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, D.C. where he specialized in 16th century Ottoman history and helped research and author publications on the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001.

Representative Ryan Bourriaque

Louisiana State Representative

rbourriaque@legis.la.gov

Ryan Bourriaque-State Representative District 47. Ryan holds three committee appointments that are certainly relevant to District 47: Vice-Chairman of Natural Resources, Ways & Means, and Agriculture. Ryan has also been chosen as a legislative appointment to the National Energy Council for energy-producing states and holds several legislative appointments including the following: House Executive Committee; House Leadership Committee; Executive Board for the Rural Caucus; the Legislative Select Committee on Disaster Recovery; and serves as an interim ad hoc member of House Commerce Committee for the remainder of this interim relative to the study of Louisiana’s international trade potential.

Ryan attained a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters in Agricultural Economics and Environmental Policy, both from Louisiana State University. He has held several Board of Director seats including the Chenier Plain Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority, the Louisiana Sea Grant Advisory Council, the Sowela Foundation Board, the Cameron Lions Club, Catholic Charities of Southwest Louisiana, and Vice-Chairman of the St. Eugene Catholic Church Pastoral Council. Ryan is married to Megan LaGrange Bourriaque, and has three daughters, Rylee (12) Remi (10) and Rorie (5).

Blake Canfield

Executive Counsel, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

blake.canfield@la.gov

J. Blake Canfield is Executive Counsel for the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR). In this role Mr. Canfield manages LDNR’s Legal Division, is responsible for certain legislative matters involving LDNR, and advising the Secretary and staff of LDNR on
legal aspects of the administrative and operational functions of the Department, as well as matters concerning LDNR’s regulation of Louisiana’s abundant natural resources, including but not limited to regulation of activities which impact the state’s coastal resources, management of the State’s property for energy development, water resources, and promotion of energy conservation. Mr. Canfield is a graduate of LSU’s Paul M. Hebert Law Center. Blake is currently a member of the Louisiana Mineral Law Institute’s Advisory Council, is a member of the Legal Advisory Group for the Louisiana Climate Initiatives Task Force, is a past representative to the Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission, has previously served on the Expropriation Committee of the Louisiana State Law Institute, and more recently chaired the legislatively created Public Recreational Access Task Force.

Wystan Carswell

Technical Expert, Haley & Aldrich, Inc.

wcarswell@haleyaldrich.com

Preston Castille

Vice President, Louisiana Board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE)

President, Helix Community Schools

preston.castille@helixcommunityschools.org

Preston Castille practiced law with the Taylor Porter law firm for nearly 30 years. He was a partner and member of the Executive Committee. He retired from Taylor Porter and now has a small law firm. In 2009, the Louisiana Supreme Court appointed Mr. Castille Judge Pro Tempore to the Baton Rouge City Court, and he continued to serve as an Ad Hoc Judge for many years after he returned to the full-time practice of law. In 2011, he served as president of the Baton Rouge Bar Association.

Mr. Castille is vice president of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and president of Helix Community Schools (Helix). Helix operates Helix Aviation Academy, Helix Legal Academy and Helix Mentorship Academy in Baton Rouge. Helix plans to open Helix AI & Medical Academy and Helix Energy & Agriculture Academy in Opelousas in the near future.

Mr. Castille is chairman of the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX), a member of the Southern University System Foundation board of trustees, and a member of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation board of directors. Mr. Castille has been an adjunct law professor at Southern University Law Center for more than 20 years and currently teaches Education Law & Policy. He previously taught at the LSU Law School. He received a BS in Economics from Southern University and a JD from Tulane.

Ryan Cooper

Vice President of Business Development, Infrastructure Energy Alternatives

ryan.cooper@iea.net

Amanda Dasch

Vice President Offshore Power Americas, Shell Renewables and Energy Solutions

Amanda.Dasch@shell.com

Sponsor

Amanda joined Shell in 2006 as a production geologist based in Houston. From 2009 to 2015, she held production, development and exploration roles in Shell’s Shales and Deep-Water businesses, as well as roles in finance, business planning, and strategy. In 2016, Amanda assumed the role of Business Advisor to the Upstream Director based in The Hague before moving in 2017 to Brunei as the West Asset Manager for Brunei Shell Petroleum’s offshore oil and gas business. From August 2020, Amanda held the role of VP Strategy and Portfolio for Upstream based in The Hague and she has now transitioned into her current role as VP Offshore Power Americas and is based in the US.

Amanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Amherst College and a PhD in Biogeochemistry from University of Michigan. Prior to joining Shell, Amanda worked at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where she researched the ecological and environmental impacts of ancient climate change. Amanda is married to John and they have a son and a daughter. As a family, they enjoy hiking, camping, and traveling the world together

Representative Paula Davis

Louisiana State Representative

pdavis@legis.la.gov

Paula Davis was first elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 to serve a four-year term. Representative Davis currently serves as the first Chairwoman of the House Commerce Committee. Paula also currently serves as Chair of the Capital Region Legislative Delegation, is a member of the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus and the Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation.

Representative Davis was born and raised in Breaux Bridge, LA, and has been a resident of Baton Rouge for over 30 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from LSU. Representative Davis is an active member within the Baton Rouge non-profit community, currently serving on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum, the LSU Ogden Honors College Board, and The ARC of Baton Rouge. Representative Davis has been involved in Louisiana politics for over 20 years, having served as the Louisiana Deputy Commissioner of Insurance overseeing the Property and Casualty Insurance Division, and working in Association Management, Governmental and Public Relations. As a leader at the Capitol during her Freshman term in office, Representative Davis was recognized for her legislative efforts, including receipt of the Chamber Southwest Louisiana “LegisGator of the Year” Award, among others.

She continues to be recognized for her leadership in the Legislature, receiving Greater Baton Rouge Business Report’s 2021 Influential Women in Business Award. Outside of the Capitol, Paula is a licensed commercial real estate agent with Waters & Pettit, a commercial real estate firm in Louisiana and Mississippi. She and her husband, John Davis, have been married for 23 years and have one daughter, Hayden, a graduate of Auburn University.

Andrew Doss

Climate Policy Lead, Center for Planning Excellence

adoss@cpex.org

Andrew Doss is responsible for coordinating  CPEX’s PowerUp Louisiana initiative  to diversify Louisiana’s energy portfolio and help communities plan for renewable energy development. . A fourth-generation Louisianan, Andrew is an award-winning attorney and writer, governance innovator, and strategic convener. At a moment when the world faces tremendous change and uncertainty, Andrew endeavors to help Louisiana flourish into a global model of resilience. He recently served as the Director of the Governor’s Resilient Louisiana Commission. Before that he was the Director of Policy & Partnerships for Future Tide Partners, taught "International Challenges of the 21st Century" in the Yale Political Science Department, and served as an Assistant District Attorney in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes where he received the 2012 Victims and Citizens Against Crime's Outstanding Prosecutor Award. Andrew has degrees in Law (JD, Georgetown '08), Public International Law (LLM, Leiden '09), and Divinity (M.Div., Yale '17). He lives in New Orleans where he still eats his mom’s crawfish etouffee, writes plays, and dances hard with the 610 Stompers.

Senator Royce Duplessis

Louisiana State Senator

rduplessis@legis.la.gov

Senator Royce Duplessis serves as a member of the Louisiana State Senate for District 5, representing New Orleans and a portion of Jefferson Parish. He was elected in 2022 to fill a vacancy after serving four years in the Louisiana House of Representatives. While serving in the legislature, he has passed commonsense criminal justice reforms, championed legislation to expand access to affordable healthcare, prioritized efforts to allow for paid sick leave, worked to make housing more affordable, fought to enact a living wage, and more.

Notably, Senator Duplessis championed legislation to require universal perinatal mood disorder screening and to end solitary confinement for juveniles. In March of this year, Senator Duplessis was awarded the 2023 Calogero Champion of Justice Award for his commitment to youth justice, his partnership with Louisiana Center for Children's Rights at the state legislature, and his tireless efforts to make his community a better and more just place.

He is a graduate of St. Augustine High School and Howard University School of Law. Senator Duplessis has his own legal practice, the Duplessis Law Firm, and has had many successes primarily focusing on civil litigation. Senator Duplessis is married to Krystle Ferbos Duplessis, and they are the proud parents of one daughter, Reese. They reside in Central City. Royce Duplessis, State Senator - District 5

Senator Dawn Euer

Rhode Island State Senator

sen-euer@rilegislature.gov

Speaker

Dawn Euer is a Democrat representing Rhode Island's District 13 in the Senate. As a passionate activist, she played a key role in advocating for marriage equality before being elected to the Senate in 2017. Throughout her tenure, Euer has been a staunch advocate for environmental causes, economic justice, and women's rights. Notably, she led the historic Act on Climate, the most comprehensive climate legislation in Rhode Island's history. Euer has championed legislation on various issues, including safe abortion access, student loan rights, firearm regulations, and redistricting reform. Her dedication has earned her numerous awards and recognitions, including being named a USA TODAY Women of the Year honoree for Rhode Island. Euer is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and holds a J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law.

Kelsey Kornick Funes

Partner, Phelps Dunbar LLP

kelsey.funes@phelps.com

Kelsey Funes is a partner in Phelps’ Baton Rouge office and concentrates her practice on construction law. She represents owners and contractors in all phases of complex industrial and commercial construction projects and regularly counsels clients in the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts. Kelsey is also a mediator focusing on the resolution of construction disputes and serves as an arbitrator on the American Arbitration Association’s construction panel. She has been recognized as a Construction Law Trailblazer by the National Law Journaland leads the Dispute Resolution Division of the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law.

Kelsey regularly speaks at seminars and briefings on construction-related topics. She is also the author of a number of published works relating to Louisiana construction law, the use of electronic documents in Louisiana and Louisiana’s rules of professional conduct. Kelsey currently serves as practice coordinator of the firm’s Baton Rouge Litigation group.

Spring Gaines

Policy Associate, Center for Planning Excellence

sgaines@cpex.org

In her role as Policy Associate, Spring is assisting CPEX in developing and supporting policy initiatives designed to help Louisiana plan for a climate-resilient energy future that drives equity and economic opportunity in our state. A native of St. Bernard, LA, Spring obtained her B.S. in Marine Biology from Nicholls State University and earned her J.D. and LL.M. in Environmental Law from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Her professional and academic experiences have culminated in strong expertise in marine science, marine education, and environmental and animal policy. Spring has worked with organizations such as Center for Biological Diversity, Animal Legal Defense Fund, and American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Before joining CPEX, she served as a 2022 Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow. In her role as a Fellow, she worked in the office of Representative Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) as her Animal, Environment, and Clean Energy Legislative Assistant. In this capacity, she worked with developers, terminal operators, non-governmental groups, and federal and state legislators to advance offshore wind efforts in the Northeastern Atlantic, including introducing offshore wind related federal legislation in the House of Representatives.

Terrence Ginn

Principal Consultant, Ideal Strategies

terrence@idealstrategiesla.com

Terrence G. Ginn, PhD is a 20+ year veteran of state and local government, with experience in both the executive and legislative branches. Mr. Ginn most recently served as Deputy Commissioner of Finance & Administration at the Louisiana Board of Regents, where he oversaw the allocation of the state’s $1B budget appropriations to higher education institutions. Additionally, Mr. Ginn spearheaded the agency’s legislative efforts, which include a historic reinvestment in funding and several significant policy initiatives including Title IX, Dual Enrollment, Workforce Development, Consumer Rights, and technology infrastructure.

Representative Arthur Handy

Rhode Island State Senator

rep-handy@rilegislature.gov

Representative Arthur Handy (D) has been serving District 18 in Cranston since 2002. In January 2021, he was appointed Deputy Majority Leader and holds key positions in various committees, including the House Innovation, Internet and Technology Committee, the House Oversight Committee (where he chairs the Energy Subcommittee), the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Throughout his legislative career, Representative Handy has been a staunch advocate for same-sex marriage, environmental protections, and the rights of low-income individuals, minorities, and the disabled. He successfully sponsored the ResilientRI act, establishing the Climate Change Council, and has been instrumental in expanding Rhode Island's offshore wind capacity. He has received accolades such as Legislator of the Year from the Rhode Island Clean Water Association in 2021 and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island in 2017. Representative Handy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami (Fla.) and is a devoted husband and father.

Kate Hardesty

program administrator, Extension Educator, University of Rhode Island

keventurini@uri.edu

Speaker

Kate Hardesty has devoted her career to disseminating science-based research findings to help solve critical issues around our energy system, local food systems and land stewardship since she was hired as an Extension educator at the University of Rhode Island in 2005. For the past decade, Kate has administered the URI Energy Fellows Program, a unique partnership between industry and the University focused on providing experiential learning opportunities to students interested in clean energy careers. The program, established in 2008, pairs graduate and undergraduate students with clean energy businesses, government agencies, advocacy organizations and researchers to work on real-world problems, and also provides professional development and leadership training, networking opportunities, an introduction to inclusive science communication and summer industry training. Over 150 students have completed the program, with 80% now working full time in the clean energy sector as energy managers, project developers, educators, researchers, analysts and more. Kate has spoken of the importance of training the next generation of critically-thinking, interdisciplinary energy professionals through experiential learning at conferences in Seattle, Fort Collins, Knoxville, the District of Columbia, Boston and Providence. In addition to her work with the URI Energy Fellows Program, Kate led the development of URI’s Plugged into Energy Research lecture series, an effort to bring science-based energy research at URI to external stakeholders and foster a climate of cooperation among faculty and staff researchers, policymakers, businesses and organizations involved in decision making around energy policy in the region. She earned her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Master of Arts in Marine Affairs degrees from URI in 2006 and 2010, respectively. In her free time, she sings and plays guitar and oboe in a rock band, and enjoys hiking with her husband and dog Buddy in the woods.

Landon Hester

Communications Manager, Center for Planning Excellence

Lhester@cpex.org

Landon joined CPEX in 2021 as the Communications Manager to lead in creating and distributing multimedia content that elevates CPEX’s values and expertise and advances its mission. He firmly believes that effective communication can lead to meaningful change. Before starting with CPEX, Landon served as the Communications Coordinator for the Baton Rouge Bar Association. He has a background in non-profit communications and earned a master’s degree in Strategic Communications and a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Louisiana State University. Landon currently serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of the Animals Alliance and the Baton Rouge Gallery.

Maryanne Jefferson

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Membership, Business Network of Offshore Wind

maryanne@offshorewindus.org

Maryanne Jefferson is the vice president of Strategic Partnerships and Membership at the Business Network. In this role, she spearheads the Network’s strategic partnerships vital to the growth of the offshore wind industry and its supply chain. She also oversees the Network’s membership team, managing outreach, customer service, and member support. Maryanne has been with the Network since 2019, originally as the Network’s Director of Membership and Finance Management, where she oversaw all membership programs, benefits, and member engagement.

Before the Network, Maryanne worked for former Massachusetts state senator Richard Ross. During her tenure there, she supported political campaigns and provided managing support as a legislative aide in the House of Representatives and was promoted to Chief of Staff in the Senate. Maryanne then worked at Ørsted as the executive assistant to the president. During her time at Ørsted, she gained essential skills and knowledge of the offshore wind industry that set the groundwork for her future at the Network.

Maryanne has a keen interest in genealogy. When she isn’t looking for distant relatives, she is making quilts for her family to enjoy. She also doesn’t let the beautiful views of Massachusetts go to waste, spending time outdoors kayaking. As long as Maryanne is with her family, she is happy.

Chris Kearns

Acting Energy Commissioner, Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources

christopher.kearns@energy.ri.gov

Speaker

Experienced Energy (Solar, Natural Gas, Offshore Wind, Energy Efficiency, Energy Security) Administrator with a demonstrated history of working in state government and private sector. Skilled in government affairs and implementing energy programs and policies.

T. Bradley Keith

Director, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program

tbrad@btnep.org

T. Bradley Keith was named director of the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) in 2021, capping a private and public sector career spanning three decades in journalism, public policy, corporate communications and governmental and public affairs. A former award-winning newspaper reporter, Keith earned a degree in journalism at LSU in Baton Rouge where he served as editor of The Daily Reveille. Keith worked for the Louisiana State Treasurer’s office and Lt. Governor’s Office before moving to direct corporate communications in Louisiana and Mississippi for a Medicare Peer Review Organization. In 2001 he joined the staff of United States Senator Mary Landrieu and served as her state director for 15 years. During that tenure, Keith coordinated the Senator’s disaster recovery efforts in the state following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike and the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Keith was part of the legislative team that crafted the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) and the RESTORE Act that brought billions of dollars for coastal restoration to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. As an independent public affairs consultant, Keith represented energy, transportation, coastal, and academic entities and led numerous successful statewide policy initiatives.

Duncan Kopp

Ports and Maritime Regional Lead, Jacobs

duncan.kopp@jacobs.com

Speaker | Sponsor

Duncan serves as Jacobs' Ports & Maritime Regional Lead for the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest United States as well as Canada. He is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 15 years of experience in the planning and development of transportation-related infrastructure, focusing on ports and waterfronts globally.

As a trusted partner to public and private sector clients, he has prepared port-wide master plans, terminal layouts, and operating plans; provided technical due diligence advisory services; led technical components for concession bids; developed numerous successful grant applications; and managed engineering and construction projects around the world.

Representative Tanner Magee

Louisiana State Representative

tmagee@legis.la.gov

Tanner D. Magee (Republican) was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2015 representing District 53 which includes the parishes of Lafourche and Terrebonne. He was elected to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore of the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2020. Providing cutting-edge legal strategies in South Louisiana, Magee is an attorney at the law firm Landry Magee in Houma. He has also served as the president of the Terrebonne Bar Association. He is a graduate of Louisiana State University, where he obtained his Masters in Public Administration and a Juris Doctorate. Prior to his law degree, Magee worked as a project manager at the South Central Planning and Development Commission, assisting in the development of the Seafood Recovery Program following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
In the Legislature, Magee serves on a number of committees. He also serves as ex-officio on all standing committees of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He is a member of the Louisiana Judicial College, Judicial Compensation Commission, and Chairman of the Louisiana Commission on Justice System Funding. Magee has previously served as a member of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, as well as, a member of the House Committees on Natural Resources, Environment, Civil Law, Health and Welfare, and Judiciary.

In 2006, Magee was one of the youngest members of Leadership Terrebonne and continued throughout the years to be recognized for his leadership skills including: 2018 “Fusion Five Award” which was given for his display of leadership and ability to effect positive change by the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance, 2018 “Legislator of the Year” by the Louisiana Hospital Association, and 2019 “Russell B. Long Service Award” given by the Louisiana Support Enforcement Association. Magee was also selected as a Scholar to the Aspen-Rodel Fellowship Leadership Program for 2019. Tanner Magee is a native of Terrebonne Parish and lives in Houma with his wife Kristen and their triplet daughters.

Camille Manning-Broome

President & CEO, Center for Planning Excellence

camille@cpex.org

Camille Manning-Broome is the President and CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence, an innovative nonprofit that delivers visionary plans, model land use tools, and policy guidance to the state of Louisiana and its local governments. Camille’s leadership on issues around climate adaptation, climate-induced migration, people-first infrastructure, and resident-led community planning has contributed to the transformation of cities, towns and parishes throughout Louisiana, and her expertise is sought out by peers across the globe. She has been instrumental in developing a whole-of-government framework for integrating climate data and risk management into state decision making. Her collaborations with international partners have placed Louisiana in the center of the conversation around climate change issues, promoting a bold, inclusive, and sustainable vision for the future while ensuring Louisiana maintains its unique strengths. Through her work, Camille prioritizes resilience, equity, and preservation of cultural and social ties for all residents, with emphasis on populations facing challenges associated with historical disinvestment, land loss, and changing climate conditions.

Camille’s prior career experience includes work in nonprofit, private, and government sectors. After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, she was among the first planners on the ground, working across 36 parishes to develop the Louisiana Speaks regional plan. She served as Assistant Deputy of Operations for FEMA’s Long-Term Community Recovery group and was later recruited to the Shaw Group, a multi-national engineering firm, where she co-authored Louisiana’s first Coastal Master Plan. She has attended Congressional delegation trips to the Netherlands, Japan, and the UK to study water and disaster management. She most recently was part of the Governor of Louisiana’s delegation participating in the U.N. Conference of the Parties 26 in Scotland.

Camille serves on the Board of Directors for Smart Growth America, Center for Planning Excellence, Helix Aviation Academy, and Helix Legal Academy and is an appointed Commissioner of the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District. She has been published in a number of scientific journals and national publications, adding to the body of work at the intersection of climate resilience and adaptation planning. Camille has a B.A. in Art History and a M.S. in Environmental Sciences from the College of the Coast and Environment at Louisiana State University.

James Martin

CEO, Gulf Wind Technology

James.Martin@gulfwindtechnology.com

James Martin is a passionate leader specializing in advanced design, manufacturing technology & innovation strategies for large-rotor wind turbines. He holds proven expertise in curating high performing engineering teams, as well as delivering complex & broad spectrum programs to renewable energy businesses.

Jennifer McCann

Director, University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center

jmccann@uri.edu

Speaker

Jennifer McCann is the Director of U.S. Coastal Programs at the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center at the Graduate School of Oceanography and Director of Extension Programs for the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program. McCann leads research and provides technical support to build the capacity of coastal management practitioners internationally. Winner of the 2017 Peter Benchley Ocean Award and a 2017 Graduate of Leadership Rhode Island, McCann also served as URI’s lead for developing and facilitating the Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan (Ocean SAMP), the first formally adopted Ocean Spatial Plan in the U.S. McCann has also played a leadership role in the development and implementation of plans for the siting of land-based renewable energy and a comprehensive management and marketing approach for Rhode Island’s shellfish resources. McCann led the national effort to develop monitoring protocols and modeling tools for improved management of offshore renewable energy and developing indicators to determine the impacts of offshore renewable energy on recreation and tourism. Jennifer was a winner of the Department of Interior’s Partners in Conservation Awards (2014) as well as the Outstanding Outreach Achievement Award from the Northeast Regional Sea Grant Consortium (2013).

Stephanie McClellan

Executive Director, TurnForward

stephanie@turnforward.org

Speaker

Stephanie McClellan is the Executive Director of Turn Forward, an independent national nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing an ambitious vision for American offshore wind power that meets todays' climate, economic, equity and environmental challenges. Stephanie is a nearly 15 year veteran of U.S. offshore wind, having held leadership roles in offshore wind across philanthropy-funded initiatives, industry and state government. She is the founder and former director of the Special Initiative Offshore Win, which under her leadership played an instrumental role in initiating the policy pipeline for offshore wind on the East coast. She has played a substantial role in founding and creating offshore wind advocacy coalitions and organizations across the country.

Kate McKeever

Head of Government Affairs, RWE Renewables

kate.mckeever@rwe.com

SPONSOR

Kate McKeever is Vice President of Government Relations for Offshore at RWE Renewables where she is responsible for offshore wind public policy in the U.S. Kate joined RWE after working for three years as the Director of Regulatory and Institutional Affairs at Enel North America.

Kate previously worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for 17 years, where she last held the position of General Counsel in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) in the Baker-Polito Administration. Prior to EEA, McKeever was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick as a Commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to lead the state utility regulatory authority. During her time at DPU, Kate also held roles as the Chief of Staff and Hearing Officer. Additionally, she worked as an assistant district attorney in Suffolk County, and served as a legislative aide for the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

Kate earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Temple University and received her Juris Doctorate from Suffolk University Law School. Kate currently sits on the Board of Directors for ACE-NY, NYOWA, and RENEW Northeast. She also recently completed her Board term with the Energy Storage Association.

Lacy McManus

Executive Director of Future Energy, Greater New Orleans, Inc.

lmcmanus@gnoinc.org

SPEAKER

Lacy McManus is the Executive Director of Future Energy at Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.) where she advances a diverse coalition of higher education, community college, non-profit and industry partners spearheading the clean energy evolution across South Louisiana. Lacy has re-joined the GNO, Inc. team after nearly three years with Amazon Web Services’ (AWS). Prior to joining AWS, Lacy served as the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at GNO, Inc. where she oversaw a portfolio of workforce, education and environmental programs that enhanced the economic competitiveness of the GNO region. Her work in Louisiana was launched at the Center for Planning Excellence (CPEX) where she was Strategic Initiatives Manager. Lacy holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Georgia, a MA in Global Communications from the American University of Paris, and a MBA from Tulane University. She and her husband Bryan are proud New Orleans residents, raising their three daughters and rescue dog Uptown.

Senator Patrick McMath

Louisiana State Senator

pmcmath@legis.la.gov

Senator Patrick McMath serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, Highway, and Public Works. With a focus on infrastructure improvements, tax reform, flooding mitigation, and public safety, McMath is committed to leaving a stronger Louisiana for future generations. In addition to his work in the Senate, he is an active volunteer in his community, serving on several local organization boards.
McMath holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Louisiana State University and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. He is also a proud husband to his wife Jayne and father to his four children.

Chris Meyer

President & CEO, Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF)

cmeyer@braf.org

A Louisiana native and father of two boys, Chris is the President and CEO of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation whose mission is to enhance opportunity and the quality of life in South Louisiana by leveraging collective resources across the state. Previously, Chris served as the Founder and CEO of New Schools for Baton Rouge, a nonprofit organization that delivers on the promise of excellent education for all children. Under Chris’ leadership, the organization raised and deployed more than $80 million dollars to support the launch of dozens of new schools serving more than ten thousand students and spurred more than $150 million in new school facility investments.

Chris’ passion for education transformation began with Teach for America in New Orleans as a teacher and basketball coach at John McDonogh High School. After Hurricane Katrina, Chris led over 200 students who had evacuated to a rural parish to achieve significant academic gains. Following his time in the classroom, Chris continued his pursuit of public service at all levels of government from The White House to the Louisiana Department of Education, where as chief of staff he pioneered efforts to turn around underperforming schools and shaped the legislative and regulatory framework to enable school transformation and charter school expansion.

Chris received his undergraduate degree, Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude from Tulane University, a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University, and an MBA from The Wharton School. He was selected as a member of the 2008-2009 White House Fellowship class, where he served as Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
To schedule a meeting with Chris, contact Emmy Comeaux at ecomeaux@braf.org.

Mike Milledge

Director of Offshore Wind, Infrastructure Energy Alternatives

mike.milledge@iea.net

Mandi Mitchell

President & CEO, Lafayette Economic Development Authority

mandi@lafayette.org

In November of 2021, Mandi D. Mitchell was selected to serve as President and CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA). In her role at LEDA, Mandi leads the organization's efforts to attract and retain jobs in Lafayette Parish and to foster a business climate that is conducive to private investment and development and entrepreneurship. A Lafayette, Louisiana native, Mandi received her B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and her M.B.A. from the University of New Orleans. She also is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and has earned the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council.
Before joining LEDA, Mandi served as Assistant Secretary at Louisiana Economic Development (LED) where she oversaw the Small Business, State Economic Competitiveness, and Community Competitiveness teams and directly led LED’s legislative efforts. Prior to her appointment as assistant secretary in 2015, she served as LED’s Director of Governmental Affairs and Federal Programs and as Director of Governmental Affairs. Before joining LED, Mitchell was an independent business owner and consultant, providing governmental affairs, legislative lobbying, business development, and community relations consulting services. She served as the regional manager of external affairs at AT&T (formerly BellSouth Telecommunications) from 2004 to 2009 and worked in the field of electrical engineering from 1998 through 2004 at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and BellSouth Telecommunications.

Jenny Netherton

Louisiana Program Manager, Southeastern Wind Coalition

jennyn@sewind.org

Jenny joined the Southeastern Wind Coalition in July 2022. She graduated from Tulane University Law School with a Certificate in Environmental Law in 2013. Jenny is originally from Shreveport, LA and received a BA in English from Centenary College of Louisiana. Prior to joining SEWC, Jenny practiced environmental law focused on public water contamination.

As Louisiana Program Manager, Jenny spearheads the SEWC’s role in Louisiana. Jenny’s work includes engaging and educating stakeholders, tracking legislation and policy initiatives, and convening with other NGOs to advance the wind industry in the state.
Jenny is a Board Member of The Green Project in New Orleans, dedicated to diverting waste from landfills and recycling salvaged materials. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Glass Half Full NOLA. Jenny lives in New Orleans, LA.

Frederick B. Palmer

Regional Manager – Southeast U.S., Shell Renewables and Energy Solutions

Fred.Palmer@shell.com

Sponsor

Fred Palmer is Shell’s Corporate & Government Relations Regional Manager for the Southeast U.S. (AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA). In this role, he and his team are responsible for representing all Shell businesses and interests before governors, legislators, local communities, and other key stakeholders as well as working closely with industry trade associations and allied business groups.

He served as Chairman of the Louisiana Mid Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) and currently is a member of LMOGA’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He also serves as a Board Member for the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) and is also Shell’s representative to the Committee of 100 (C100) – a statewide economic development policy organization. Prior to his current role, Fred was based in Houston as part of Shell’s Unconventionals business leadership team and responsible for Communications support for the America’s onshore oil and natural gas exploration, development and producing operations. Palmer joined Shell in 2002 providing external affairs support for the company’s onshore U.S. exploration and production business in Michigan, South Texas and Wyoming. From 2005 to 2010 he served as Communications Manager for Shell’s Gulf of Mexico Deepwater business based in New Orleans, LA.

Palmer was graduated from Salem (Mass.) State University with a degree in political science and held positions of increasing responsibility in the Corporate Communications Division of Texaco Inc. before joining Shell. Fred is married to GailAnne, they have three children, seven grandchildren and lives in Baton Rouge, LA.

Brant Patnode

Senior Vice President - Services, Infrastructure Energy Alternatives

brant.patnode@iea.net

Jim Pettigrew

Director, Offshore Energy Safety Board & Energy Transition Lead, Gulf Research Program, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

JPettigrew@nas.edu

Jim Pettigrew, a retired Navy Captain, is the Director of the Offshore Energy Safety Board of the National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program (GRP). The mission of his team is to develop programs and research that help identify and mitigate systemic risk in Offshore Energy production and transportation. Additionally, he also leads the GRP’s efforts supporting the offshore Energy Transition. Prior to joining the GRP, Jim was the Principal Investigator and Director of Operations for the original Ocean Energy Safety Institute (OESI), which provided a forum for dialogue, shared learning and cooperative research among academia, government, industry and other non-governmental organizations, and training opportunities for the federal workforce. Ultimately, developing opportunities to increase safer and environmentally responsible offshore energy operations.

Throughout his three decades in the Navy, Jim specialized in operational meteorology and oceanography, surface warfare and information warfare; managing and mitigating risk at all levels of operations. He had the privilege and honor of serving as the Commanding Officer for the Navy’s global atmospheric and ocean modeling supercomputing center in Monterey, CA. And he was the Commanding Officer for the Navy’s only forward-deployed operational oceanography support center in Yokosuka, Japan. He served twice in the Pentagon. Jim received his MS in Physical Oceanography and Meteorology from the Naval Postgraduate School, and received his BS in Ocean Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Sloane Perras

Vice President, Foss Offshore Wind

sperras@fossoffshorewind.com

Speaker

Executive who develops and executes strategies to implement the organization's vision, mission, strategy, safety focus, values and customer service culture. Promotes a continuous improvement culture at all levels of the organization. Provides leadership in the strategic development of profitable business expansion opportunities. engages in compliance oversight and makes recommendations for improvement. Assimilates public policy issues that are critical to the wellbeing of the company and its people. Promotes corporate social responsibility in building disaster resilience for employees, their families, our customers and communities we serve.

Senator Mike Reese

Louisiana State Senator

mreese@legis.la.gov

Vicky Roberts

Director of Business Development, Infrastructure Energy Alternatives

vicky.roberts@iea.net

Franco Repetto

Vice President of Commercial Operations, Infrastructure Energy Alternatives

franco.repetto@iea.net

Sam Salustro

Vice President of Strategic Communications, Business Network for Offshore Wind

sam@offshorewindus.org

Speaker

Sam Salustro is the Network’s director of Coalitions and Partnerships in Maryland. He joined the organization in 2020 and leads the Network’s operations in its founding state. He put his education and experience to work helping Maryland businesses grow in the offshore wind supply chain.

Sam has spent more than a decade working as a political campaign operative within state governments. He started his career in Iowa as a campaign manager on a state legislative race and found a passion for politics. His career took him to Virginia, New Mexico, New Jersey, and then Illinois for President Obama’s reelection campaign. In 2014, he joined Governor Martin O’Malley’s administration and his presidential campaign as research director. He worked as an expert in political research before transitioning into a statewide coalition and communications director role on a winning gubernatorial campaign in Illinois.

Sam has an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago with concentrations in economics, finance, and strategic relations and earned a B.A. from Boston University, double majoring in History and International Relations.

When not in the office, you can find Sam at Camden Yards or cheering on the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Sam works on his other passions during the baseball offseason – cooking and hiking.   

Richert Self

Executive Director, Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District

rlself@portlc.com

A native of Lake Charles, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from McNeese State University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of New Orleans and is a Certified Public Accountant. His professional certifications also include Professional Port Manager from the American Association of Port Authorities. Richert began his career in public accounting. In 1999 he joined Global Industries, Ltd as the Corporate Accounting Manager. In 2003, he joined the Lake Charles Harbor & Terminal District and served as the Director of Administration and Finance. In August of 2017, he began serving as Deputy Executive Director and became Executive Director in June of 2020.

Richert is actively involved with the American Association of Port Authorities and formerly served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee. He is also actively involved with the Gulf Ports Association of the Americas and formerly served as the Vice President of the Gulf Seaports Marine Terminal Conference. Richert is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants, the Government Finance Officers Association and the Louisiana Government Finance Officers Association.

In 2008, Richert was a member of Leadership Louisiana, a nationally recognized-program with a focus of enhancing the capacity of emerging and current Louisiana leaders to effectively address key public issues. He was also on the Port Resiliency Expert Committee that developed the Port Resiliency Index through the National Sea Grant College Program in 2015. In 2016, Richert appointed to the Louisiana Board of International Commerce by Governor John Bel Edwards. The Louisiana Board of International Commerce serves as the authority on behalf of the state to advance the state’s international commerce economic sector.

Mayor Brett Smiley

Mayor, City of Providence, Rhode Island

mayor@providenceri.gov

Speaker

Brett Smiley, the 39th Mayor of Providence, is dedicated to enhancing the city's quality of life through improvements in education, public safety, and city services. With a belief in Providence's potential as a world-class city, Smiley aims to make it the best-run city in America by focusing on its vibrant neighborhoods, diverse culinary scene, thriving arts and culture, and talented residents.

Having served as the Chief Operating Officer for the City of Providence, Chief of Staff to former Governor Gina Raimondo, and Rhode Island's Director of Administration, Mayor Smiley brings more than a decade of public service experience. He has successfully tackled significant challenges, such as expanding early education programs, providing free community college to high school graduates, and leading the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. His expertise and innovative ideas benefit Providence's businesses and community.

In addition to his public service, Mayor Smiley has been actively involved in various nonprofit organizations and community groups, including Planned Parenthood, Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI), Rhode Island Housing, Rhode Island Communities for Addiction Recovery Efforts (RICARES), and the national Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. Mayor Smiley holds a finance degree and an M.B.A. from DePaul University. He resides on Hope Street with his husband, Jim DeRentis, and both share a passion for running and a deep affection for Providence.

Alexandra St. Pé

Senior Developer & GoM Project Lead, RWE Renewables

alexandra.st.pe@rwe.com

SPONSOR | Speaker

Alexandra St. Pé is a Louisiana native and has more than 10 years’ experience working at the intersection of science and business in the wind energy industry. Alexandra is a wind resource scientist specializing in complex project leadership and coalition building to push innovation boundaries and develop the next generation of offshore wind farms in the United States.

Alexandra currently serves as the Project Director for Gulf of Mexico Offshore Wind Development at RWE Renewables. Prior to this role, Alexandra served as the Technical Innovation Wind Portfolio Manager for North America at E.ON Climate & Renewables, where she was responsible for developing pioneering R&D projects that delivered tangible value in the form of increased safety, revenue, and efficiency. Previously, Alexandra served as a Senior Wind Analyst for global wind project development at E.ON Climate & Renewables, and she worked at the Sustainable Energy Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Sustainable Energy Division. At UNECE, she led the development of a report with UNECE member states on best practice guidelines to overcome technical, structural, and social roadblocks to global renewable energy uptake. This report was presented at the annual UNECE Committee on Sustainable Energy meeting.

Alexandra is a published author on wind energy science and earned her PhD in environmental systems with a specialization in offshore wind resource assessment, lidar technology, and science-informed policy at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).  In her free time, Alexandra enjoys gardening, interior designing, cooking, and spending quality time with her family, especially her soon-to-be one year old son, Georgie.

Harry Vorhoff

Deputy Director of Coastal Activities, Louisiana Governor's Office

harry.vorhoff@la.gov

Harry Vorhoff is the Deputy Director of Coastal Activities in the Office of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards. In addition to serving as executive counsel to the chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Board, Harry manages the office’s effort to coordinate and focus the functions of state agencies as they relate to integrated coastal protection and climate change mitigation. In this role, Harry represents the governor on the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board, the Louisiana Oyster Task Force, and the U.S. Hypoxia Task Force. He also serves as a designee and the chair of the Governor’s Climate Initiatives Task Force and State of Louisiana’s primary point of contact for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Gulf of Mexico Renewable Energy Task Force. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Harry served as the Environmental Section Chief and Assistant Attorney General for the Louisiana Department of Justice, where he represented the State of Louisiana and its agencies in a wide variety of matters ranging from environmental, oil and gas, wildlife and fisheries, interstate river compacts, coastal, and appellate law. Harry earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and earned a J.D. from Tulane University Law School.

Chris Waterson

General Manager, Waterson Terminal Services, LLC

chwaterson@watersonllc.com

Speaker

Chris Waterson has been involved in the Blue Economy for his entire professional career, starting with Waterson Stevedoring in 2003 as an equipment and facilities maintenance tech, supporting stevedoring activities at ProvPort while also attending Bentley College. After graduating in May of 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing, Chris started full time for the newly formed Waterson Terminal Services as Assistant Operations manager. Now, as General Manager, Chris is responsible for all day-to-day activities at the ProvPort facility, as well as heading up WTS’s marketing and business development program. During his time with WTS, Chris has been directly responsible for
the efficient loading/unloading of millions of tons of bulk and break-bulk cargo, as well as attracting new tenants to the port, such as McInnis Cement, Deepwater Wind, GE Renewables, Grimaldi/ACL, Orsted and WIND Cable Services. Chris has also expanded WTS’s operation to the Ports of Davisville and New Bedford with a focus on servicing new vehicle OEMs and the emerging US Offshore Wind industry, and is actively involved in the development of new port infrastructure, including the South Quay Marine Terminal in East Providence, RI.

Placing a priority on responsible growth, Chris has developed WTS’s sustainability program through partnership with Green Marine, an industry-backed environmental certification program, including active participation in the EPA’s Port/Community Working Group and the Providence Resilience Partnership. Chris earned his MBA from Bryant University, graduating in May of 2017 with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. He is also a board member of the Propeller Club of Narragansett Bay, a business network dedicated to the promotion of the maritime industry and a member of the State of Rhode Island Transportation Advisory Committee.

Mayor Roslyn White

Mayor, City of Abbeville, Louisiana

mayor@cityofabbeville.net

Mayor Roslyn White is from the central gulf coast and has made her home in the Historic City of Abbeville, Louisiana. Her diverse background is rooted in oil and gas and maritime industry. Mayor White recognizes the unique opportunity that energy diversification presents in building a more resilient coastal community.

Macey Williams

Special Initiatives Coordinator, Center for Planning Excellence

mwilliams@cpex.org

As CPEX’s Special Initiatives Coordinator, Macey is responsible for assisting and supporting CPEX-led initiatives, projects, events, and outreach activities. Macey brings interests in holistic approaches to health and sustainable living, as well as community development and engagement to CPEX’s multidisciplinary skill set. Macey graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a focus on Italian language and culture. During her time away from work, she enjoys volunteering, aerial arts, yoga, and rollerskate-induced falls.

Ted Williams

President, Senesco Marine, LLC

twilliams@senescomarine.com

Edward Yeilding

Technical Assistant, Commissioner Devante Lewis District 13, Louisiana Public Service Commission

edward.yeilding@la.gov

Representative Jerome "Zee" Zeringue

Louisiana State Representative

jzeringue@legis.la.gov

Jerome Zeringue or “Zee” as he is known to his friends, grew up hunting and fishing along the coastal marshes of south Louisiana. That love of the outdoors also lead him into a career, after earning a BS in Zoology and a Masters of Fisheries Science, both from LSU, Zee began his career as a fisheries biologist for LSU Sea Grant.

A few years later, The Nature Conservancy hired Zee to serve as their Coastal Resources Director and lead the effort that ultimately helped establishment the Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge. Zee later became the Director of the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District (TLCD) working to develop coastal resiliency and protection projects for the region. After ten years with TLCD, Zee was hired by the Governor’s office to serve as Director of Policy and Programs for the Governor’s Office of Coastal Activities. He later served as the Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the agency responsible for implementation of Louisiana’s Coastal Master Plan. In addition, Zee served on Governor Bobby Jindal’s Cabinet, as the Governor’s Executive Assistant for Coastal Activities and Chair of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

Zee left that position to run for state office and he is currently serving as the State Representative for House District #52. His committee assignments include Appropriations, Chairman, Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget, Chairman, Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay, Legislative Budgetary Control Council, State Bond Commission, House Select Leadership Committee and Joint Select Committee on Louisiana Economic Recovery. He also is currently serving as a Principle for Progressive Coastal Consultants.