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

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.

Joseph R. Biggio, M.D., of Metairie, was appointed to the Commission on Perinatal Care and Prevention of Infant Mortality. Biggio is a perinatologist and the Associate System Chair for Women’s Services at Ochsner Health System. He will serve as a perinatologist on the commission.

 

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.

Jeffrey C. “Jeff” Kershaw, of Port Allen, was reappointed to the West Baton Rouge Parish Board of Election Supervisors. Kershaw is the Director of Maintenance of the West Baton Rouge Parish School Board. Additionally, he is a veteran of the United States Army.

 

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.

Susan Denise Gardner, of Clinton, was appointed to the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Commission. Gardner is a certified financial examiner and market conduct manager and the former Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

 

Louisiana Economic Development Corporation
The board of directors is responsible for governing the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the single review board for all financial assistance loans, incentives or inducements, customized workforce training, investment programs, and any related appropriations, grants, or joint ventures administered by the Department of Economic Development, excluding those financial incentive programs administered by the state Board of Commerce and Industry or programs only authorized by the Secretary, the Governor, and/or the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget.

Sue S. Durand, of Washington, was appointed to the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation. Durand is the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Washington State Bank. As required by statute, she was nominated by the Louisiana Bankers Association.

Calcote H. “Cal” Simpson, of Baton Rouge, was reappointed to the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation. Simpson is the Branch Manager of Blue Bell Creameries. As required by statute, he was nominated by the Louisiana Retailers Association.

 

Louisiana Sentencing Commission
The Louisiana Sentencing Commission serves to develop felony sentencing guidelines that ensure similarly situated offenders are treated similarly and that the penalties imposed are proportionate to the crime committed. Additionally, an examination of the statues and policies related to sentencing is done to relate those provisions and other laws to the use of correctional programming designed to facilitate offender re-entry.

Robert Stephen Tew, of Monroe, was appointed to the Louisiana Sentencing Commission. Tew is the District Attorney of the 4th Judicial District and will serve as a district attorney on the commission.

 

Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission
The Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission is responsible for constructing, maintaining, repairing, and operating the dual span bridge-Expressway and requisite approaches, and the Causeway Bridge across Lake Pontchartrain connecting Jefferson and St. Tammany Parishes 

Timothy P. Coulon, of Metairie, was appointed to the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission. Coulon is the President of Coulon Consultants. As required by statute, he was nominated by a legislator representing Jefferson Parish and will serve as a member from Jefferson Parish.

 

Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners and Examiners (Calcasieu)
The Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners and Examiners (Calcasieu) oversees the Lake Charles Pilots.

Walter Dwayne Chatoney, of Lake Charles, was appointed to the Board of River Port Pilot Commissioners and Examiners (Calcasieu). Chatoney is the President of Sunshine Navigation Group. He will serve as a representative of business.

 

Louisiana Gaming Control Board
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has all regulatory authority, control, and jurisdiction, including investigation, licensing, and enforcement, and all power incidental or necessary to such regulatory authority, control, and jurisdiction over all aspects of gaming activities and operations within the state.

Elton M. Lagasse, of River Ridge, was appointed to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Lagasse is a former Jefferson Parish Councilman and a veteran of the United States Army National Guard. He will serve as a representative of the 1st Congressional District.