Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced the appointments of various positions.
First, Charles McDonald was appointed to the Correctional Facilities Corporation Board of Directors.
The Correctional Facilities Corporation Board of Directors serves to finance and acquire correctional facilities for lease to the state.
According to statute, the board consists of five at-large gubernatorial appointments, subject to Senate confirmation.
Charles McDonald, of Archibald, is the former Sheriff of Richland Parish. McDonald will be appointed to serve as an at-large member, as required by statute.
Governor Jindal also announced appointments to the Louisiana Sheriff's Executive Management Institute.
The Louisiana Sheriff's Executive Management Institute is responsible for promoting public peace by establishing training programs for sheriffs to provide management courses and skills to enhance the safety of the citizens of Louisiana and the enforcement of state laws.
According to statute, the institute is comprised of three gubernatorial appointees, the Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, and the Chairman of the Louisiana Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. The appointments made by the Governor are subject to Senate confirmation.
Appointments to the Louisiana Sheriff's Executive Management Institute:
Steve Prator, of Shreveport, is the Sheriff of Caddo Parish. Prator will be appointed to serve as a gubernatorial appointee, as required by statute.
Greg Champagne, of Luling, is the Sheriff of St. Charles Parish. Champagne will be appointed to serve as a gubernatorial appointee, as required by statute.
Newell Normand, of Metairie, is the Sheriff of Jefferson Parish. Normand will be appointed to serve as a gubernatorial appointee, as required by statute.
Finally, Governor Jindal announced the reappointment of Dr. David Fisher, Jr. to the Louisiana State Board of Optometry Examiners.
The Louisiana State Board of Examiners serves to promote, preserve, and protect the public health, safety, and welfare through the education and effective control and regulation of individuals who practice optometry.
According to statute, the board is comprised of five members who are licensed optometrists and have practiced optometry in Louisiana for seven years. Each member of the board is appointed by the governor from a list of three names submitted to him by the board. The board obtains these three names by conducting an annual meeting in which every member of the board has the right to attend, nominate and vote. Each member serves a five year term.
Dr. David Fisher, of Lafayette, is the Owner of Dr. David Fisher, Jr. & Associates. Fisher will be reappointed to serve as a member who was recommended by the Board of Optometry Examiners, as required by statute.
Bill Hidalgo has been appointed to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.
The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority serves to develop a comprehensive master plan regarding coastal protection and an annual plan regarding protecting, conserving, and restoring the coastal area through the construction and management of hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects and programs.
According to statute, the board is comprised of 20 members, including the secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality, the secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development, the secretary of the Department of Economic Development, the commissioner of administration, the commissioner of agriculture and forestry, the commissioner of insurance, the chair of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation, the director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, or their designees and the executive assistant to the governor for coastal activities. The remaining seven members are gubernatorial appointments selected from nominations submitted by levee districts located in whole or in part in the coastal zone, legislators who represent districts in whole or in part in the coastal zone, and parish governing authorities located in whole or in part in the coastal zone. Additionally, at least two appointees must reside in the area of the coastal zone located west of the Atchafalaya River and at least two appointees must reside in the area of the coastal zone located east of the Atchafalaya River.
Bill Hidalgo, of Morgan City, is the Owner of Halimar Shipyard, LLC and is also a registered professional civil engineer and land surveyor. Hidalgo will be appointed to serve as a gubernatorial appointee who resides in the area of the coastal zone located west of the Atchafalaya River, as required by statute.
Next, the Bunches Bend Protection District is responsible for repairing, improving, and maintaining the Wilson Point Levee System in the Bunches Bend Area.
According to statute, the district is comprised of six members as follows:
· Two at-large members appointed by the Governor;
· One appointed by the member of the Louisiana House of Representative whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district;
· One appointed by the member of the Louisiana State Senate whose district encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district; and,
· Two appointed by the public utilities which own land or property or possess servitudes within the district.
Appointments to the Bunches Bend Protection District:
Thomas "Tap" Parker, of Lake Providence, is a self-employed farmer. Parker will be appointed to serve as an at-large member appointed by the Governor, as required by statute.
Edward Patrick, Jr., of Lake Providence, is a self-employed farmer. Patrick will be appointed to serve as an at-large member appointed by the Governor, as required by statute.
Representative Karen St. Germain is appointed to the Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Commission.
The Louisiana Fire and Emergency Training Commission is responsible for advising and providing guidance to Louisiana State University relative to the conduct of training programs and performance of the university's functions.
According to statute, the commission is comprised of nine members as follows:
· The state fire marshal or his designee;
· The Louisiana State University- Baton Rouge Chancellor or his Designee;
· Two members selected by the Louisiana State Firemen's Association;
· Two members selected by the Louisiana State Fire Chief's Association;
· Two members selected by the Professional Firefighters' Association of Louisiana; and,
· One Louisiana citizen with knowledge and experience in the field of fire and emergency services appointed by the Governor.
Karen St. Germain, of Pierre Part, is a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. St. Germain will be appointed to serve as a Louisiana citizen with knowledge and experience in the field of fire and emergency services appointed by the Governor, as required by statute.