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

Louisiana Public Defender Board

In pursuit of equal justice, the Louisiana Public Defender Board advocates for clients, supports practitioners and protects the public by continually improving the services guaranteed by the constitutional right to counsel. Through its commitment to performance standards, ethical excellence, data-driven practices and client-centered advocacy, the Louisiana Public Defender Board oversees the delivery of high quality legal services affecting adults, children and families, and supports community well-being across Louisiana.

Patrick J. Fanning of Gretna has been reappointed to the Louisiana Public Defender Board. Fanning is a criminal defense attorney with the Law Office of Patrick J. Fanning. He will represent the 5th Appellate Court District.

Task Force to Study Health Care Outcomes

The Task Force to Study Health Care Outcomes will complete an in depth review of Louisiana’s critical shortage of care and access to health care providers, particularly in the area of primary care medicine, placing particular emphasis on the role that physician assistants play to assist with the shortage of health care providers. The Task Force will report their findings andrecommendations to the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare.

Dr. Lester W. Johnson of Rayville has been appointed to the Task Force to Study Health Care Outcomes. Dr. Johnson is the vice chancellor of academic affairs with Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport-Monroe Medical Center. He will serve at-large.

Julie A. Nevers of Opelousas has been appointed to the Task Force to Study Health Care Outcomes. Nevers is the director of clinical integration for St. Tammany Health System. She will serve at-large.

Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board

The Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board provides for the licensure, certification and registration of individuals practicing ABA in the state of Louisiana.

Renee G. Cole of Baton Rouge has been reappointed to the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board. Cole is the executive director of Behavioral Integration Group. She will serve as a behavior analyst nominated by the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association.

Daniela I. Riofrio of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana Behavior Analyst Board. Riofrio is clinical director for the Children’s Autism Center. She will serve as a behavior analyst nominated by the Louisiana Behavior Analysis Association. 

Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners

The mission of the LSBPNE is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public by providing reasonable assurance that persons who practice practical nursing are competent, ethical practitioners with the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities appropriate to the title and role of the licensed practical nurse.

Dr. Matthew A. McQueen of Metairie has been reappointed to the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. Dr. McQueen is a family physician practicing with the Ochsner Center for Primary Care and Wellness. He will represent the Louisiana State Medical Society.

Louisiana State Interagency Coordinating Council for Earlysteps

The Louisiana State Interagency Coordinating Council for EarlySteps serves to advise and assist the Lead Agency in the performance of its responsibilities, particularly in regard to: (a) identification of the sources of fiscal and other support for early intervention services; (b) assignment of financial responsibility to the appropriate agency; and, (c) promotion of interagency agreements. The board also advises and assists the Lead Agency in the preparation of applications, the transition of infants and toddlers to preschool or other appropriate services at age three, and the preparation and submission of an annual report to the Governor and to appropriate federal authorities on the Status of EarlySteps.

Susannah F. Boudreaux of Denham Springs has been appointed to the Louisiana State Interagency Coordinating Council for EarlySteps. Boudreaux is a program manager for the Bureau of Family Health. She will serve as a representative of the Louisiana Department of Health.

Louisiana D.A.R.E. Advisory Board

The Louisiana D.A.R.E. Advisory Board is charged with developing, promoting, monitoring, andevaluating the DARE program throughout the state. The board serves as an advisory body to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice in this respect.

Sergeant Phyllis A. Tyler-Beverly of Opelousas has been appointed to the Louisiana D.A.R.E. Advisory Board. Sgt. Tyler-Beverly serves the City of Opelousas Police Department. She will serve as the president of the Louisiana D.A.R.E Officers’ Association.

Uniform Electronic Local Return and Remittance Advisory Committee

The Uniform Electronic Return and Remittance Advisory Committee provides advice and makes enforceable recommendations with regard to the design, implementation, and operation of the existing sales and use tax system, providing taxpayers with a simple, efficient, and cost-effective means of transmitting accurate sales and use tax returns and remittances to political subdivisions of the state.

Gary Dressler of Metairie has been appointed to the Uniform Electronic Local Return andRemittance Advisory Committee. Dressler is associate tax director of Postlethwaite & Netterville. He will represent the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.

Louisiana Statewide Independent Living Council

The Louisiana Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was established by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to support the efforts of our citizens with disabilities to live independently in the community of their choice. SILC works to maximize the leadership, empowerment, independence and productivity of individuals with disabilities, facilitating integration and full inclusion into the mainstream of American society.  SILC is composed of twenty-two members appointed by the governor. It is required that the majority of SILC members are individuals with disabilities and provide statewide representation. 

Sharon L. Hennessey of Baton Rouge has been reappointed to the Louisiana Statewide Independent Living Council. Hennessey is executive director at People First. She will represent private industry.

Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Advisory Board

The Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Advisory Board provides services in a flexible, individualized manner to Louisiana citizens with traumatic head or traumatic spinal cord injuries. The board administers a program which enables individuals to return to a reasonable level of functioning and independent living in their communities.

Yvette D. Pacaccio of Covington has been appointed to the Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Advisory Board. Pacaccio is senior vice president and business banking group sales executive for Capitol One. She will serve as a family member of a survivor of a traumatic head injury.