Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions.

Louisiana State Arts Council
The Louisiana State Arts Council receives applications for matching federal funds available from the National Endowment for the Arts and such other funds made available to the council and make recommendations thereon. The Council reviews and approves or rejects said grant applications from other governmental units, community arts councils, and other private, nonprofit, and tax-exempt groups. Additionally, the Council advises departmental officers on the design and execution of an annual state plan consistent with the goals and policies of the department as provided by federal and state law, rules, and regulations, and submits the plan to the National Endowment for the Arts.

Audrey Joy Pace, of Lake Charles, was appointed to the Louisiana State Arts Council. Pace is the Artistic and Executive Director of the Itinerant Theatre. As required by statute, she was nominated by the Arts and Humanities Council of SWLA.

 

Parish Boards of Election Supervisors
The purpose of the board in each parish is to oversee and supervise all elections within the parish to ensure the safety and accuracy of the democratic process. The Board of Election Supervisors oversees the preparation and conducting of each election in the parish. Each parish’s board is composed of the parish’s registrar of voters, the parish’s clerk of court, the chairman of the parish executive committee of each recognized political party, and one member appointed by the governor.

James P. Mitchell Sr., of St. James, was reappointed to the St. James Parish Board of Election Supervisors. Mitchell is a maintenance manager with the St. James School System.

Randell A. Fletcher, of Colfax, was appointed to the Grant Parish Board of Election Supervisors. Fletcher is a retired Assessor for the Grant Parish Assessor’s Office.

 

Capital Area Human Services District
The Capital Area Human Services District directs the operation and management of community-based programs and services relative to public health, mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services for the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.

Mary Laverne Aguillard, of Ventress, was reappointed to the Capital Area Human Services District. Aguillard is a registered nurse and office manager. As required by statute, she was nominated by the Pointe Coupee governing authority.

 

Louisiana Board of International Commerce
The Louisiana Board of International Commerce serves as the authority on behalf of the state to advance the state’s international commerce economic sector.

Brandy D. Christian, of New Orleans, was appointed to the Louisiana Board of International Commerce. Christian is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Port of New Orleans. As required by statute, she was nominated by the Port of New Orleans to serve as a representative of international ports.

 

Louisiana Commission for the Deaf
The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf serves to promote, coordinate, and facilitate accessibility of all public and private services to persons who are Deaf, Deaf/Blind, or have hearing loss or speech impairment. The Commission provides advocacy and serves as the statewide resource center on issues relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, telecommunication relay services, and other issues and services pertaining to deafness or speech impairment.

Christopher J. Gorder, of Bossier City, was appointed to the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. Gorder is a job coach with Pride Industries.

Melisa C. “Lisa” Potter, of Baton Rouge, was appointed to the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf. Potter is a former educator at Louisiana School for the Deaf.

 

Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Commission
The Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is a nonprofit organization created to provide insurance products for residential and commercial property applicants who are in good faith entitled, but unable, to procure insurance through the voluntary insurance marketplace.

Eric S. Berger, of Metairie, was appointed to the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Commission. Berger is the Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs at the Gray Insurance Co. As required by statute, he was nominated by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America

 

Early Identification of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Infants Advisory Council
The Early Identification of Deaf or Hard of Hearing  Infants Advisory Council advises the Office of Public Health on various aspects of the development and implementation of the Early Identification of Hearing Impairment in Infants Law, which includes making recommendations on risk factors for hearing loss, program standards and quality assurance, program integration with community resources, materials for distribution, and program implementation and follow-up.

Jason N. “Jay” Isch, of Scott, was appointed to the Early Identification of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Infants Advisory Council. Isch is the Advocate and Interpreting Coordinator with Deaf Focus.

 

Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality
The Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality is responsible for researching and reviewing all state laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and procedures that impact perinatal care and, where appropriate, making recommendations to the legislature and secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals. In addition, the commission is responsible for providing a plan that the state can adopt to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies, sick infants, and infant mortalities.

Steven B. Spedale, M.D., of Baton Rouge, was appointed to the Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality. Spedale is a Neonatologist and the President of Baton Rouge Neonatal Associates. He will serve as a neonatologist on the board.

 

Louisiana Developmental Disabilities Council
The Louisiana Developmental Disability Council’s mission is to lead and promote advocacy, capacity building, and systemic change to improve the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Charles M. “Mike” Billings, of Baton Rouge, is a Program Specialist with Transportation Security Administration. He will serve as a parent of a child with developmental disabilities.

Lillian DeJean, of Lafayette, is an active advocate for people with developmental disabilities. She will serve as an individual with developmental disabilities.

Susan M. Meyers, of New Orleans, is the Director of Policy and Community Engagement at the Advocacy Center of Louisiana. She will serve as the representative of the Louisiana Advocacy Center.

 

Governor's Advisory Board of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
The Governor's Advisory Board of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention serves to encourage and assist the state, units of local government, and private non-profit agencies in the comprehensive improvement of the juvenile justice system in the State of Louisiana. The Board assists in the establishment of juvenile justice policy by providing advice and counsel to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, the Louisiana Legislature, and the Governor of Louisiana on ways and means to facilitate greater juvenile justice system effectiveness.

Randy M. Aguillard, of Baton Rouge, is a Captain and Commander for the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office. He is a member of the La. DARE Officers Association and the La. Association of Crisis Negotiators.

Marcella A. Elliott, of Alexandria, is a Program Supervisor at Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home/Methodist Foster Care.

Darrell L. Renfro, PhD, of Kenner, is a Psychologist and Licensed Professional Counselor and the owner of Renfro and Associates, LLC.

James L. Williams, of Tallulah, is a retired investigator and Adolescent Diversion Director for the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. He is also a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Kenneth R. Tramble, of Monroe, is the Program Coordinator of the Deputies Making a Change Mentor Program. He is also a veteran of the US Army.