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

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is responsible for developing and administering the state's traffic safety program by cooperating with the federal government and other entities for the purpose of highway safety; preparing highway safety plans; studying, evaluating, and preparing statistics regarding motor vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths; and obtaining federal funds for use within the state for highway safety purposes.

Jeffery M. Elder, M.D. of Metairie has been appointed to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission. Elder is a clinical associate professor of medicine in the section of emergency medicine at LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. He will serve at-large.

Southern Rail Commission

The Southern Rail Commission engages and informs public and private rail interests to support and influence Southeast rail initiatives; promote the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and goods; enhance economic development along rail corridors; provide transportation choices; and facilitate emergency evacuation routes.

Walter J. “Walt” Leger III of New Orleans has been reappointed to the Southern Rail Commission. Leger is an attorney at Leger and Shaw and will serve at-large.

Mayor Adrian D. Perkins of Shreveport has been reappointed to the Southern Rail Commission. Perkins is the mayor of Shreveport and will serve at-large.

John M. Spain of Baton Rouge has been reappointed to the Southern Rail Commission. Spain is the executive vice president of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation and will serve at-large.

Louisiana Gaming Control Board

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board regulates all gaming activities under its jurisdiction in a manner which instills public confidence and trust that gaming activities are conducted honestly and free from criminal and corruptive elements; to insure the integrity of individual gaming activities by the regulation of persons, practices, associations and activities within the gaming industry.

Ronald J. Sholes of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Sholes is a retired district court judge and of counsel with Adams and Reese. He was nominated by Xavier University and will represent the 2nd Congressional District.

Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of Lake Charles

The Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of Lake Charles help to protect all of these by safely navigating crude oil, gasoline, liquefied natural gas, chemicals, aggregate, bulk agricultural, and bulk pet-coke through the ship channel to our ports.

Andrew D. Gossoo of Lake Charles has been appointed to the Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of Lake Charles. Gossoo will serve until the revocation of the appointment or commission.

Corey G. Taylor of Sulphur has been appointed to the Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of Lake Charles. Taylor will serve until the revocation of the appointment or commission.

St. Bernard Harbor, Port, and Terminal District

The St. Bernard Harbor, Port, and Terminal District’s mission is to create jobs and provide economic development having a positive impact on St. Bernard Parish and its citizens.

Walter J. Cure IV of Violet has been appointed to the St. Bernard Harbor, Port and Terminal District. Cure is the vice president of EBI and was nominated by the majority of the legislative delegation from St. Bernard Parish.

Jeanne E. Ferrer of Metairie has been appointed to the St. Bernard Harbor, Port and Terminal District. Ferrer is a pilot with the Crescent River Port Pilot Association and was nominated by the majority of the legislative delegation from St. Bernard Parish.

Board of Louisiana River Pilot Review and Oversight

The Board of Louisiana River Pilot Review and Oversight provides oversight of pilots for the Associated Branch Pilots for the Port of New Orleans, the River Port Pilots for the Port of New Orleans, the New Orleans Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Association, and the Associated Branch Pilots of the Port of Lake Charles.

Roy J. Quezaire Jr. of Donaldsonville has been appointed to the Board of Louisiana River Pilot Review and Oversight. Quezaire is the deputy director of the Port of South Louisiana and will represent the Louisiana Ports Association.

Louisiana State Racing Commission

The Louisiana State Racing Commission reviews, regulates, governs and supervises all forms of horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering in the State of Louisiana.

Peter J. Hamilton III of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana State Racing Commission. Hamilton is an attorney and will represent Orleans Parish.

Louisiana Drug Control and Violent Crime Policy Board

The Louisiana Drug Control and Violent Crime Policy Board’s mission is to review the needs of the state and local governments to make recommendations of funding to the LA Commission on Law Enforcement to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control drug trafficking, drug related crime, and violent crime.

Sheriff Mark V. Herford of DeRidder has been appointed to the Louisiana Drug Control and Violent Crime Policy Board. Herford is the sheriff of Beauregard Parish and will represent the western portion of Louisiana.

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.

Jonathan V. Foret of Houma has been appointed to the Louisiana State Arts Council. Foret was nominated by the partnership for the arts and will represent the 1st Congressional District and the 3rd Planning District.

Red River, Atchafalaya, and Bayou Boeuf Levee District

The mission of the Red River, Atchafalaya, and Bayou Boeuf Levee District is to protect and provide maintenance for the levees in St. Landry, Avoyelles, and Rapides Parishes.

Christopher K. Dauzat of Marksville has been appointed to the Red River, Atchafalaya, and Bayou Boeuf Levee District. Dauzat is a farmer and will represent Avoyelles Parish.

State Board of Commerce and Industry

Governed by board members representing major economic groups and gubernatorial appointees, LED’s Board of Commerce & Industry meets bimonthly and advises on applications for tax incentive programs, including Enterprise Zone, Industrial Tax Exemption, Quality Jobs and Restoration Tax Abatement.

Sandra L. McQuain of Alexandria has been appointed to the State Board of Commerce and Industry. McQuain is the executive director of the England Economic and Industrial Development District.