Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions.
State Licensing Board of Contractors
The purpose of the State Licensing Board of Contractors is the protection of the health, safety, and general welfare of citizens dealing with persons engaged in the contracting vocation, and affording citizens an effective and practical protection against incompetent, inexperienced, unlawful, and fraudulent acts of contractors with whom they contract. The Board also monitors construction projects to ensure compliance with the statutory and regulatory licensure requirements.
Kenneth W. Jones, of St. Francisville, was reappointed to the State Licensing Board of Contractors. Mr. Jones is a licensed architect and contractor and a managing member of Jones Design/Builders, LLC. As required by statute, he was nominated by the American Subcontractors Association of Louisiana.
Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System
The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System is responsible for supervising and managing the following universities: Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisiana at Monroe, and University of New Orleans.
Johnny C. McFerren, of Stonewall, was appointed to the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System. Mr. McFerren is the owner of McFerren Real Estate and a graduate of Northwestern State University. He will serve as a representative of the 4th Congressional District.
Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council
The primary function of the council is to review and adopt the state uniform construction code, provide training and education of code officials, and accept all requests for amendments of the code, except the Louisiana State Plumbing Code. Specifically, the council establishes the requirements and process for the certification and continuing education of code enforcement officers, code enforcement inspectors, third party providers and building officials and determines whether amendments to the state uniform construction code are justified.
Linden J. Raimer, of Covington, was appointed to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council. Mr. Raimer is a retired plumber, plumbing inspector, and building official.
Bholanath V. Dhume, of New Orleans, was reappointed to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council. Mr. Dhume is a licensed architect and certified building official.
Jamie T. Peers, of Ventress, was appointed to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council. Ms. Peers is a field coordinator with the Laborers’ Health and Safety Fund.
Benjamin P. “Ben” Gootee, of New Orleans, was appointed to the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council. Mr. Gootee is the president of Gootee Construction.
Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
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.
Craig C. LeBouef, of Opelousas, was reappointed to the board of directors for the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Mr. LeBouef is a certified public accountant and partner with Going, Sebastien, Fisher & LeBouef, LLP. As required by statute, he was nominated by the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.
Clinical Laboratory Personnel Committee
The Clinical Laboratory Personnel Committee serves to make recommendations to the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners regarding rules and regulations for the appropriate training and competency of clinical laboratory personnel who are engaged in the practice of clinical laboratory science in a clinical laboratory operated by a physician licensed by the board exclusively in connection with the diagnosis and treatment of his own patients.
Morteza Vaziri, of Natchitoches, was appointed to the Clinical Laboratory Personnel Committee. Mr. Vaziri is a licensed clinical laboratory scientist-generalist and the laboratory director at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. As required by statute, he was nominated by the Louisiana Hospital Association to serve as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist-Generalist in a supervisory or administrative capacity.
Kira T. Gatlin, of New Orleans, was appointed to the Clinical Laboratory Personnel Committee. Ms. Gatlin is a clinical laboratory scientist-technician at Ochsner Baptist Medical Center. As required by statute, she was nominated by the Clinical Laboratory Personnel Association.
Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District
The mission of the Capital Area Ground Water Conservation District is to provide for the efficient administration, conservation, orderly development, and supplementation of groundwater resources in the parishes of East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana. The board develops, promotes, and implements management strategies to provide for the conservation, preservation, protection, recharging, and prevention of waste of the groundwater resources over which it has jurisdictional authority.
Todd A. Talbot, of Baton Rouge, was appointed to the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District. Mr. Talbot is the Utilities Infrastructure Lead at ExxonMobil and will serve as its representative on the board.
Henry L. Davis, of Jackson, was appointed to the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District. Mr. Davis is retired. As required by statute, he was nominated by the governing authority of East Feliciana Parish and will serve as the parish’s representative on the board.
Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors
The Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors’ primary objective is to protect the safety, health, property, and welfare of the general public and to promote the vigorous growth of the real estate industry in the State of Louisiana. The Board evaluates the qualifications of applicants for licensure and grants licenses to those who qualify. It establishes rules and regulations to ensure the integrity and competence of licensees.
Michael C. Roberts, of Monroe, was appointed to the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors. Mr. Roberts is a licensed home inspector and the owner of Home Sweet Home Inspection Service. As required by statute, he was nominated by the Louisiana Home Builders Association and will serve as a representative of the 5th Congressional District.
Fluoridation Advisory Board
The Fluoridation Advisory Board assists public water systems with obtaining funding to implement water fluoridation, assists the director of the state Oral Health Program with the educating of the general public, and advises the state Fluoridation Program.
Richard W. Ballard, DDS, of Mandeville, was reappointed to the Fluoridation Advisory Board. Dr. Ballard is an orthodontist and the owner of a private practice of orthodontics. As required by statute, he was recommended by the Louisiana Dental Association and will serve as the representative of the Louisiana Department of Health Administrative Region I.
Jeremy D. Brown, DDS, of Shreveport, was appointed to the Fluoridation Advisory Board. Dr. Brown is a dentist and the owner of Airline Family Dentistry. As required by statute, he was recommended by the Louisiana Dental Association and will serve as the representative of the Louisiana Department of Health Administrative Region VII.
Patrick “Pat” Credeur Jr., of Carencro, was reappointed to the Fluoridation Advisory Board. Mr. Credeur is the executive director of the Louisiana Rural Water Association and will serve as its representative on the board.
Suzanne K. Farrar, R.D.H., of Gretna, was reappointed to the Fluoridation Advisory Board. Ms. Farrar is a registered dental hygienist and associate professor and director of clinical staff and patient services with LSU School of Dentistry. As required by statute, she was recommended by the Louisiana Dental Association to serve as a representative of dental hygienists on the board.
Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors
The Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors regulates embalmer/funeral directors, funeral directors, funeral establishments, crematories, and retort operators. It also handles consumer complaints. In addition, the board prescribes requirements for funeral homes and crematories engaged in the care and disposition of dead human remains.
Mallery Callahan, of Covington, was appointed to the Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Rev. Callahan is the senior pastor of Greater Starlight Baptist Church. He will serve as a representative of elderly consumers on the board.
Edward L. Muhleisen, of Luling, was reappointed to the Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Mr. Muhleisen is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and the manager of L.A. Muhleisen & Son Funeral Home. He will serve as a representative of District D, of which St. Charles Parish is a part.
Duplain W. “Pete” Rhodes III, of New Orleans, was appointed to the Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Mr. Rhodes is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and the owner and president of D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home. He will serve as a representative of District A, of which Orleans Parish is a part.
Drug Policy Board
The Drug Policy Board is responsible for identifying, examining, selecting, or developing, and recommending or implementing drug control policies to more effectively combat illegal drug and alcohol abuse. The board evaluates how anti-drug monies are used in implementing related programs. It also identifies and evaluates the effectiveness of public awareness and drug prevention programs.
Joseph M. Kanter, M.D., of New Orleans, is the medical director of the City of New Orleans’ Health Department and an emergency room physician at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Dr. Kanter will serve as a physician representing the field of substance abuse treatment or substance abuse prevention.
Charles H. “Buddy” Schilling II, of Lafayette, is the vice president of Schilling Distributing Company, LLC, and a veteran of the United States Navy. He will serve as a representative of the alcohol industry.
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.
Olivia S. Regard, of Lafayette, was appointed to the Louisiana State Arts Council. Ms. Regard is an attorney with Babineaux, Poche, Anthony & Slavich and a member of the board of directors for the Acadiana Center for the Arts. As required by statute, she was nominated by the Partnership for the Arts and will serve as a representative of the 3rd Congressional District and 4th Planning District.
Clifford “Kip” Holloway, of Haughton, was appointed to the Louisiana State Arts Council. Mr. Holloway is the business manager at Asbury United Methodist Church and the former executive director of Red River Revel. As required by statute, he was nominated by the Partnership for the Arts and will serve as a representative of the 4th Congressional District and 7th Planning District.
Jill C. Hackney, of Baton Rouge, was appointed to the Louisiana State Arts Council. Ms. Hackney is a painter. As required by statute, she was nominated by the Partnership for the Arts and will serve as a representative of the 6th Congressional District and 2nd Planning District.
Adam T. Holland, of Oak Grove, was appointed to the Louisiana State Arts Council. Mayor Holland is the mayor of the Town of Oak Grove and the owner of Holland Entertainment, LLC, which operates the Historic Fiske Theatre in Oak Grove. As required by statute, he was nominated by Lieutenant Governor and will serve as a representative of the 5th Congressional District and 8th Planning District.
Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District
The board of commissioners for the Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District maintains the levees and drainage ditches within the Parish of Natchitoches.
Kenneth K. “Karlton” Methvin, of Natchitoches, was reappointed to the Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District. Mr. Methvin is a self-employed farmer. As required by statute, he was nominated by a legislator representing Natchitoches Parish.
Doris D. Rogé, of Cloutierville, was reappointed to the Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District. Ms. Rogé is a retired educator. As required by statute, she was nominated by a legislator representing Natchitoches Parish.
Terry G. Sklar, of Natchitoches, was reappointed to the Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District. Mr. Sklar is the president of SFC Contract Services Inc. As required by statute, he was nominated by a legislator representing Natchitoches Parish.
Rayburn L. Smith, of Natchitoches, was reappointed to the Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District. Mr. Smith is the manager of Smith Cattle Company. As required by statute, he was nominated by a legislator representing Natchitoches Parish.
Mark C. Swafford Sr., of Natchitoches, was reappointed to the Natchitoches Levee and Drainage District. Mr. Swafford is retired. As required by statute, he was nominated by a legislator representing Natchitoches Parish.
Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board
The Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board is the state government agency that administers and regulates the real estate appraiser licensing and certification program. The board enforces the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Law and the Rules and Regulations of the Board and monitors the mode and method by which real estate appraisals are conducted in this state.
Rebecca A. Rothschild, of St. Francisville, was appointed to the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. Ms. Rothschild is a licensed general appraiser and the owner of RRL Real Estate Appraisal, LLC. She will serve as a representative of the state at-large.
Robert E. McKinnon Jr., of Shreveport, was appointed to the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. Mr. McKinnon is a licensed residential appraiser and chief appraiser at EppraisalNetwork.com. He is also the owner of Robert McKinnon Appraisal Services. He will serve as a representative of a Louisiana licensed appraisal management company and a representative of the 4th Congressional District.
Margaret K. Young, of New Orleans, was appointed to the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. Ms. Young is a licensed general appraiser and the owner of Young Appraisal Services. She will serve as a representative of the 2nd Congressional District.
Terry L. Myers, of Iowa, was appointed to the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. Ms. Myers is a licensed residential appraiser and the owner of Terry Myers Appraisal Services, LLC. She will serve as a representative of the 3rd Congressional District.
Kara A. Platt, of Monroe, was appointed to the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. Ms. Platt is a licensed general appraiser and the appraisal manager at Origin Bank. She will serve as a representative of the 5th Congressional District.
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 Council 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.
Marc F. Garnier, of Plaquemine, was appointed to the Louisiana State Interagency Coordinating Council for EarlySteps. Mr. Garnier is the manager of community development with Aetna Better Health of Louisiana.
Louisiana Archaeological Survey and Antiquities Commission
The Louisiana Archaeological Survey and Antiquities Commission promotes the goals and objectives of the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism and advises the department and its Secretary on matters relating to antiquities, archaeology, and other cultural resources. The Commission also approves permits for excavations on state lands.
Mark A. Rees, Ph.D., of Lafayette, was reappointed to the Louisiana Archaeological Survey and Antiquities Commission. Dr. Rees is a registered professional anthropologist and professor at the University of Louisiana Lafayette.
Michael L. Tarpley, of Pollack, was reappointed to the Louisiana Archaeological Survey and Antiquities Commission. Mr. Pollack is the tribal historic preservation officer for the Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana and a veteran of the United States Army.
Louisiana Folklife Commission
The Louisiana Folklife Commission advises the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism’s Office of Cultural Development on policy, objectives, and budgeting needs in the identification, preservation, and presentation of Louisiana folk cultural resources.
Karen T. Leathem, of New Orleans, was reappointed to the Louisiana Folklife Commission. Ms. Leathem is the museum historian for the Louisiana State Museum. She will serve as the State Museum’s representative on the commission.
Uniform Electronic Local Return and Remittance Advisory Committee
The Uniform Electronic Local Return and Remittance Advisory Committee serves to provide 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 from a central site in the quickest manner possible.
Andrew C. Kolb, of Baton Rouge, was appointed to the Uniform Electronic Local Return and Remittance Advisory Committee. Mr. Kolb is an attorney with Baker Donelson.
Crime Victims Reparations Board
The Crime Victims Reparations Board assists victims of violence and their families with the emotional, physical, and financial aftermath of crime. The Louisiana Crime Victims Reparations Fund helps innocent victims and their families when they have no other means of paying for the financial cost of crime. The fund is administered by the Crime Victims Reparations Board under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement.
Carla M. Shorty, of New Orleans, was appointed to the Crime Victims Reparations Board. Ms. Shorty is a registered nurse and clinical resource coordinator with Amedisys Home Care. She will serve as an at-large member on the board.
Lisa K. Kiper, of Winnsboro, was appointed to the Crime Victims Reparations Board. Ms. Kiper is the community development coordinator at Winnsboro State Bank. She will serve as a representative of the 5th Congressional District.
Board of Ethics
The Board of Ethics is responsible for administering and enforcing provisions of the Code of Governmental Ethics, the Election Integrity Act, the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act, and the Lobbyist Disclosure Act.
John M. Meinert, Ph.D., of Baton Rouge, was appointed to the Board of Ethics. Dr. Meinert is an assistant professor of theology at Our Lady of the Lake College. Dr. Meinert earned his Ph.D. in Moral Theology and Ethics from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He will serve as an at-large representative on the board.
Bayou D’Arbonne Lake Watershed District
The board of commissioners of the Bayou D’Arbonne Lake Watershed District serves to promote the conservation of soil and water and the development of natural resources and wealth of the district for sanitary, agricultural, and recreational purposes.
Jacob D. Halley, of Farmerville, was appointed to the Bayou D’Arbonne Lake Watershed District. Mr. Halley is a disaster recovery specialist with Witt O’Briens. He will serve as a representative of Union Parish.
Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration, and Conservation
The mission of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration, and Conservation is to assist the State of Louisiana in the development and implementation of a holistic engineering plan to achieve a sustainable coastal ecosystem, encompassing the entirety of Louisiana’s fragile coast.
Rudy C. Sparks, of Patterson, was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration, and Conservation. Mr. Sparks is the vice president of Williams, Inc., and will serve as a representative of coastal landowners.
Ralph O. Brennan, of New Orleans, was reappointed to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation. Mr. Brennan is the president of the Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group and will serve as a representative of business and industry on the commission.
Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Board
The Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Board provides funds for non-profit and public agencies throughout the state for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Gloria B. Moultrie, of New Orleans, was appointed to the Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Board. Ms. Moultrie is the vice chancellor for community outreach and university development at Southern University at New Orleans. She will serve as a representative of the university community.
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.
Marc A. Napoleon, of New Orleans, was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Board of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Rev. Napoleon is the pastor of Nazareth Baptist Church and a youth care worker at Boys Town. He will serve as a representative of private nonprofit organizations with a special focus on preserving and strengthening families, parent groups, youth development, delinquency prevention, or neglected children.
Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority
The Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority has the power to provide financial assistance to the Louisiana agricultural community. It has financed, constructed, and owns most of the office buildings and supporting facilities utilized by the Department of Agriculture.
Richard L. Muller Sr., of Covington, was reappointed to the Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority. Mr. Muller is an attorney and the owner of the Muller Law Group, LLC. As required by statute, he was nominated by the President of the Louisiana State Senate.