BATON ROUGE - Today, Governor John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions.

Gov. Edwards announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission
Committee on Parole
State Mineral and Energy Board
Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Authority
Louisiana Tax Commission
Central Louisiana Human Services District

“I appreciate the willingness of these citizens to serve our great state,” said Gov. Edwards. “I know the work of these boards and commissions is in capable hands and the people of Louisiana will benefit greatly. I look forward to working with these groups to put Louisiana first again.”

 

Gov. Edwards made the following appointments:

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission

Julie M. Hebert of Luling was reappointed to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. Ms. Hebert owns Coastal Permitting, an environmental consulting group located in Luling. Ms. Hebert serves as a coastal parish resident who is a representative of the commercial fisheries and fur industries, as required by statute.

Nathan D. Wall of Springfield was appointed to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. Mr. Wall is the CEO of Wall’s Gator Farm, Nathan Wall and Sons Alligator Consulting, Wall 2 Wall Alligator Farm, WG Alligator Farm, and Wall’s Gator Farm II, all located in Springfield. Mr. Wall is also the CEO of Pinnacle Alligator Farm located in Covington. Mr. Wall serves as a coastal parish resident who is a representative of the commercial fisheries and fur industries, as required by statute.

Committee on Parole

Pearl Wise, of Monroe, was appointed to the Committee on Parole. Prior to her retirement in January of this year, Ms. Wise was a Probation and Parole Officer with the Monroe District Office of the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections for over 20 years. Ms. Wise received her Masters degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisiana Monroe and is a veteran of the Louisiana National Guard.

State Mineral and Energy Board

J. Todd Hollenshead of Benton was appointed to the State Mineral and Energy Board. Mr. Hollenshead has over 27 years of experience managing oilfield, civil, and environmental projects. Mr. Hollenshead received his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Louisiana Tech University.

Mark A. Brown of Alexandria was appointed to the State Mineral and Energy Board. Mr. Brown is the President and CEO of Premier Rehab of Southwest Louisiana, LLC, in Lake Chargles/Lafayette, the President and CEO of Delivery Specialists of CENLA, Inc., in Alexandria, and the CFO of Smith and Harris Enterprises, Inc., in Alexandria. Mr. Brown received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana College in Pineville.

Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Authority

Melvin J. Rodrigue, Jr. of New Orleans was reappointed to the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Authority. Mr. Rodrigue is the President of Galatoire’s Restaurant, 33 Bar & Steak, and Galatoire’s Bistro. Mr. Rodrigue was nominated by the New Orleans Restaurant Association and will serve as President of the authority.

Steven L. Pettus of New Orleans was reappointed to the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Authority. Mr. Pettus is the Owner and Managing Partner of Dickie Brennan & Co. Mr. Pettus was nominated by the New Orleans Restaurant Association.

Robert Bray of Mandeville was reappointed to the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Authority. Mr. Bray is the General Manager of the New Orleans Marriot. Mr. Bray was nominated by the Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association.

Michael O. Smith of New Orleans was appointed to the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Authority. Mr. Smith is the general manager of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Mr. Smith will serve as one of two members who resides within the territorial limits of the Authority as required by statute.

Bonita A. Robertson of New Orleans was appointed to the Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Authority. Ms. Robertson is an attorney and site director for New Orleans Works within the Greater New Orleans Foundation. Ms. Robertson will serve as one of two members who resides within the territorial limits of the Authority as required by statute.

Louisiana Tax Commission

Lawrence Chehardy of Metairie has been appointed to the Louisiana Tax Commission. A former Jefferson Parish Assessor, Mr. Chehardy is an attorney in private practice at the Chehardy Sherman Williams Law Firm where he is a managing partner. Mr. Chehardy will serve as Chairman of the Commission and as the representative of the First Public Service Commission District.

Michael J. “Mike” Waguespack of Thibodaux has been appointed to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Recently retired, Mr. Waguespack served as Assumption Parish Sheriff for nearly 16 years. Mr. Waguespack is a Co-Founder of Assumption Mortgage Corporation and a certified public accountant with Waguespack, Gallagher & Barbera, LLC. Mr. Waguespack will serve as the representative of the Second Public Service Commission District.

Jimmie Thorns, Jr. of New Orleans has been appointed to the Louisiana Tax Commission. A Louisiana Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, Mr. Thorns is the owner and CEO of Thorns Consulting, Inc. Mr. Thorns will serve as the representative of the Third Public Service Commission District.

Harold J. “Joey” Vercher of Alexandria has been reappointed to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Mr. Vercher is a member/manager of Image One Realty, LLC and a member of V & V Builders LLC. He is a Licensed Residential Contractor and Licensed Louisiana Real Estate Broker. Mr. Vercher will serve as the representative of the Fourth Public Service Commission District.

Regina Lynch Wood of Monroe has been appointed to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Prior to retiring in October of 2015, Ms. Wood was a partner in Cohen & Lynch, LLC. Ms. Wood is a certified public accountant and will serve as the representative of the Fifth Public Service Commission District.

Central Louisiana Human Services District

Renata Pilatova, M.D., of Alexandria, was appointed to the Central Louisiana Human Services District. Dr. Pilatova will serve as representative of addictive disorders, developmental disabilities, mental health, or public health, as required by statute.

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