Day One – General Session
Click on each name for presentation and bio information.
A graduate of McNeese State University in Management and Marketing, Eligha is a Louisiana Statewide Notary Public and a Licensed Louisiana Funeral Director. He is Assistant Manager/Business Development Officer and FDIC (Funeral Director in Charge) of King’s Funeral Home of Lake Charles, a partner in King and Guillory, LLC, and owner of Signature Notary Services. He is the Founder of the Eljay Foundation for Parkinson’s Awareness and a board member of CHRISTUS Ochsner Southwestern Louisiana Foundation, Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Sisters Surviving Cancer, SWLA Law Center, and Community Liaison of Southwest Louisiana Credit Union. He is also president of the Downtown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival Association.
He has over twenty years of service in strategic business planning and organization marketing, public communication, and business management. He has coordinated and led many successful special events and campaigns and provided communication solutions to non-profit organizations, for-profit business units, healthcare institutions, and government agencies.
Eligha’s work experience includes community and program development, project management, and public and governmental relations on local, state, and national levels.
Eligha is a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church. He is married to his best friend Monica, and they are the proud parents of three children, Matthew, Martina, and Isabella.
Billy Nungesser is the 54th Lieutenant Governor of the state of Louisiana. He was elected in 2015 and took office in January 2016. In July 2019, he officially took over as Chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association. This professional association charts issues and work to be pursued by the second-highest ranking officials in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
Under his administration, Louisiana celebrated a third consecutive year of record-breaking visitation as Louisiana welcomed more than 51.3 million visitors, bringing in more than $18.8 billion to the state.
Billy left a career as a successful businessman to begin his political career following Hurricane Katrina. In 2005, Nungesser rode out Hurricane Katrina at his ranch in southern Plaquemines Parish. In response to his frustration over the government’s slow response following Hurricane Katrina, Billy decided to run for Plaquemines Parish President in 2006. He was re-elected in 2010 with over 70% of the vote.
On April 20, 2010, Plaquemines Parish became ground zero for the nation’s most significant environmental disaster. In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in the Gulf, Billy became the voice of Louisiana’s frustration.
During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the New York Times named him the “hardest working man in Louisiana,” and ABC named him Person of the Week during the same period. He continues to be the “hardest working man in Louisiana” on behalf of all of us.
Today Billy is second-in-command in the executive branch and Louisiana’s ambassador as Commissioner of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism. From natural disasters to promoting our great state…Billy Nungesser is a man for all of Louisiana.
Susan Russell has been Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful since 2014. Before leading the state office, she spent eight years as a local affiliate director for Keep Mandeville Beautiful.
Her experience in non-profit management, strategic development, program development and implementation, grant administration, event planning, communications, and marketing spans over 33 years. In addition to her work in litter prevention, she served in leadership roles at Special Olympics and Volunteers of America.
Susan serves on the executive committee for the Keep America Beautiful State Leaders Council as well as on the executive committee for Keep Louisiana Beautiful. She is part of the 2024 Leadership Louisiana class.
As Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Susan leads the only statewide organization focused on litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and beautification. She oversees a grants program that has awarded over $5.95 million to fund local projects; offers environmental education lessons targeting students in grades K-5; conducts training and professional development; and supports a network of 52 affiliate organizations in their efforts to clean up and beautify Louisiana.
Day One – Block One
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Turning Litter Data into Solutions
Ellie Mallon, Senior Operations Manager, Osprey Initiative
Ellie Mallon is originally from Carmel, Indiana but has spent the last 10 years studying and working in the beautiful Mobile, Alabama area. She graduated from Spring Hill College in 2018, where she received a B.S. in Biology. Ellie joined Osprey Initiative in March of 2019 and is their Senior Operations and Client Relationship Manager. She is also wrapping up her Degree of Master of Science in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture at Mississippi State University.
Dr. David Yarbrough, Dean of Community Service, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Presentation Description: It’s common knowledge that our lakes, rivers, and oceans are repositories of large amounts of litter. But where does it come from? I’ll share how we collect data on litter and how this can help reduce the trash that ends up in our waterways.
Dr. David Yarbrough has been a professor of human development for over 30 years. He is the Dean of Community Service at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, as well as the head of department for Sociology, Anthropology, Human Development and Family Science. Dr. Yarbrough is the Executive Editor of the Journal of Service-Learning in Higher Education and has been studying community organization and effective community action for the past 34 years.
Transforming Waste for Resilient Waterways: Glass, Shells, and Trees
Hear about three innovative projects that take would-be waste items – glass, oyster shells, and Christmas trees – and repurpose them to benefit Louisiana’s waterways, ecological health, and coastal resiliency.
Alex Ward has been on the Glass Half Full team since 2021 and currently serves as the Operations Manager. His work includes overseeing the glass pickup programs; picking up glass from bars, restaurants, homes, and hotels and processing it in-house into sand and gravel. His work at GHF has also included coastal restoration projects from Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge to Pointe au Chien. He’s excited about expanding GHF’s reach throughout Louisiana through drop-off and pickup programs.
Darrah Fox Bach manages the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s Oyster Shell Recycling Program. Bach specializes in community-led environmental solutions.
Lynn Bryan is the Executive Director of Keep Bossier Beautiful (KBB) where she serves her community with a group of wonderful individuals in Bossier Parish. She is a graduate of Centenary College and has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 25 years. Together, the KBB team created the first program in the state to incorporate corrections in to recycling, created an Environmentally Aware student seminar for students grades 5-8 and perform a host of activities to end litter, enhance recycling and beautify the parish. Work is currently ongoing to launch an outdoor classroom. In her free time Lynn enjoys running and backyard beekeeping.
Moderator: Kat Fogg, Research
Project Manager, ReCoast
After receiving her B.S. from Florida State University, Kat Fogg moved to New Orleans to work in cultural resource management in 2006. She has been traversing the marshlands of Louisiana as an environmental scientist to collect and analyze hydrological, vegetative, and elevation data since 2013. Kat is applying her field experience to bolster the recycle to restore model through project research, implementation, and community outreach as the Project Manager for ReCoast team at Tulane University.
Roots of Change: The Power of Organic Land Management: This session explores practical approaches for transitioning away from synthetic pesticides, creating resilient campus environments that benefit both communities and local wildlife. Join us to explore how your campus or community can become a living laboratory of biodiversity and ecological stewardship. Essential for university administrators, grounds managers, sustainability coordinators, and anyone passionate about creating vibrant, pesticide-free campus ecosystems.
Aliza McHugh, Senior Advisor of Strategic Partnerships
Aliza is a graduate of UC Berkeley with a degree in Human Geography and Society & Environment. She serves as a core member for the Re:Wild Your Campus team in helping with strategy, development, and overall guidance. She has worked for environmental non-profits such as Global Green and Environmental Grantmakers Association and after graduating served as an Americorps member for a youth development non-profit in San Francisco. Aliza is currently the Senior Advisor of Strategic Partnerships for Re:Wild Your Campus, hoping to bridge university campaigns and related national and local groups to enhance student advocacy.
Senior Strategy Advisor, Re:wild Your Campus
Bridget is a UC Berkeley graduate with a degree in Molecular Environmental Biology and minors in Human Rights & Forestry. She is Re:wild Your Campus’ Senior Strategy Advisor and was a co-founder of the original campaign on Berkeley’s campus in 2017. Bridget has spent the last 4 years in Louisiana, doing prison re-entry work in Natchitoches before moving to Baton Rouge to work on an ACT Team and doing housing for people with severe mental illness.
Conducting a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event
Learn the ins and outs of organizing and executing a successful household hazardous waste collection event in your community. From determining a location to working with vendors, and managing crowd-flow, hear key insights from two successful parish representatives.
Tim Brown, Director of Environmental Services, St. Tammany Parish
Tim Brown is the Director of the St. Tammany Department of Environmental Services in Mandeville, Louisiana where he is responsible for Keep St. Tammany Beautiful, litter abatement, and managing the Parish’s residential on-site sewage treatment system inspection programs. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science in 1994. After graduation, he accepted a position with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) in the Water Enforcement Section. His four years with the LDEQ were followed by four years with a private consulting firm where he performed a multitude of tasks including environmental site assessments, site remediations, risk-based closures, and underground storage tank closures. In 2002, he accepted a position with St. Tammany Parish Government as the Environmental Services Engineer, and in subsequent years, became the Assistant Director and now Director of the Department of Environmental Services. From 2010 to 2021 he managed and directed Tammany Utilities and the provision of sewer and water services to approximately 45,000 St. Tammany residents.
Aaron Breaux, MS4 Permit Manager, East Baton Rouge Parish
Aaron Breaux has a background in Environmental Compliance and Occupational Safety. He is the MS4 Permit Manager responsible for ensuring the City/Parish meets and maintains its compliance goals stet forth by the LPDES Permit through LDEQ.
Day One – Lunch Program
Click on the speaker for a presentation description and bio information.
Keynote Speaker: Jay Dardenne, Former Louisiana Commissioner of Administration, “Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi”
Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi is a lively and colorful look at what makes Louisiana unlike any other place in the nation… music, history, culture, sports and politics have resulted in our state having a disproportionate impact on America based on our relatively small population.
In 2023, Jay Dardenne completed a 35-year career in public service. He served for eight years as Louisiana’s Commissioner of Administration, the State’s chief administrative, financial and operating officer. He was elected statewide four times, twice as Secretary of State and twice as Lieutenant Governor. He served 15 years as a State Senator and three years as a Baton Rouge Metro Councilman. He created, wrote and hosted the Emmy-nominated film, “Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi … or Anyplace Else,” a four-hour documentary for Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and authored the coffee table book that accompanies the show. He has received numerous leadership awards and is a member of six Halls of Fame, including the ISU Hall of Distinction and the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.
Day One – Block Two
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Integrating Native Plants Into Your Beautification Project: Louisiana is home to over 2,000 native plants, valued not only for their beauty but also for their essential ecological functions, such as supporting wildlife, managing water, and preventing erosion. This presentation will explore which native plants are best for beautification projects, offering insights and examples from public native landscape initiatives.
Tammany Baumgarten, Owner & Operator, BaumGardens
Tammany Baumgarten is a practicing Horticulturist and Owner/Operator of BaumGardens Landscape and Design in New Orleans. She is a Master Gardener with the LSU AgCenter, the founding President of the Native Plant Initiative of Greater New Orleans and still serves as thePast President for the Louisiana Native Plant Society. Her passion as a landscape designer, contractor and community educator is to increase the ecological functionality of built landscapes by incorporating native plants and other essential components of good habitat to gardens and green spaces while actively helping others to do so as well.
KLB Marketing and Programs Designed to Benefit Your Community: KLB staff will walk you through the many offerings that are ready to be put to good use in your community.
Jessie Chappuis, Programs & Events Manager, KLB
Jessie Chappuis is the Programs and Events Manager at Keep Louisiana Beautiful. With a BFA from Louisiana State University and an MA in Arts Administration from the University of New Orleans, Jessie brings extensive experience with community-building projects and a deep-rooted passion for local culture. A resident of New Orleans and a lifelong Louisianian, Jessie is driven by a love for her home state and a commitment to preserving its environment and supporting its people.
Melissa Kenyon, Marketing & Communications Director, KLB
Melissa Kenyon, a communications professional of fifteen years, serves as Communications and Marketing Director for Keep Louisiana Beautiful, a state program that promotes best practices for litter prevention and reduction, recycling, waste reduction, sustainability, and beautification. Previous to her role at Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Melissa held non-profit marketing roles at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans, The Bishop’s School in La Jolla, and the Colorado Neurological Institute in Denver. Melissa holds a master’s in communication management and public relations from the University of Colorado Denver and a bachelor’s in communication from the University of Colorado Boulder. She is an active member of the Junior League of New Orleans.
Measuring University Sustainability with AASHE STARS
Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, & Rating System (STARS), is a program the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Learn how to apply for a STARS ranking, hear recommended assessment methods, and discuss on how this applies to the advancement of sustainability in Louisiana higher ed institutions.
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Jonathan Brown, Sustainability Coordinator, University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Jonathan is the Sustainability Coordinator for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His role requires him to engage with student groups and campus departments to provide sustainability education and resources, manage hazardous waste collection and disposal, coordinate plastic bag and film recycling and the campus Zero Waste campaign. He is the chair of Keep UL Lafayette Beautiful, a university affiliate of Keep Louisiana Beautiful. He is also co-chair of the University Sustainability Coalition.
Jonathan has worked in higher education since Fall 2017. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Louisiana State University and a Master of Arts degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Northwestern State University of Louisiana.
Recycling at Your Litter Cleanup and How to Take Love the Boot Week Efforts to the Next Level
Your litter cleanups are making a difference! Join this conversation to explore opportunities to amplify the impact of your cleanup efforts, whether through engaging community partners or keeping litter out of the landfill by recycling what you pick up.
Susan Russell has been Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful since 2014. Before leading the state office, she spent eight years as a local affiliate director for Keep Mandeville Beautiful.
Her experience in non-profit management, strategic development, program development and implementation, grant administration, event planning, communications, and marketing spans over 33 years. In addition to her work in litter prevention, she served in leadership roles at Special Olympics and Volunteers of America.
Susan serves on the executive committee for the Keep America Beautiful State Leaders Council as well as on the executive committee for Keep Louisiana Beautiful. She is part of the 2024 Leadership Louisiana class.
As Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Susan leads the only statewide organization focused on litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and beautification. She oversees a grants program that has awarded over $5.95 million to fund local projects; offers environmental education lessons targeting students in grades K-5; conducts training and professional development; and supports a network of 52 affiliate organizations in their efforts to clean up and beautify Louisiana.
Don Bates, Owner/Founder, Osprey Initiative
Don Bates is the owner/founder of Osprey Initiative, LLC, and the inventor of the Litter Gitter. A graduate of Millsaps College, he has over 25 years of experience in the environmental consulting business. Born in Hammond, Louisiana, he grew up in the swamps around Manchac, Louisiana. He has spent most of his life in and around waterways and has a passion for maintaining and improving our natural resources. He feels that the best legacy he can leave to future generations is access to wild places unmarred by human impacts.
Day One – Block Three
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Louisiana’s Outdoor Events Geaux Green to Reduce Waste
Fairs, festivals, and parades are a beloved piece of Louisiana culture, but they can also generate large amounts of litter and waste. Hear from a panel of event leaders on strategies to “geaux green.”
Abbie Acosta, Conservation Director, Moncus Park
Abbie Judice Acosta is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana and a passionate land steward at Moncus Park. She is an ISA Certified Arborist and received a Master of Forestry from the University of Georgia. She specializes in urban forestry – the planning, management, and care of trees within the places we live, work, and play. Abbie also has earned a graduate diploma in Social Responsibility and Sustainability from the University of St. Michaels at the University of Toronto. She enjoys solving problems creatively, improving the spaces around her, and digging in the dirt.
Maurianna Robichaux, Board President, Festival International De Louisiane
As the Recycling Coordinator for Festival International de Louisiane, Mauri is dedicated to ensuring sustainability and minimizing waste. With a background in environmental fields and a passion for green initiatives, Mauri oversees all recycling operations, from waste separation to outreach and education. She works closely with vendors, volunteers, and attendees to promote effective recycling practices and reduce the festival’s environmental footprint. Mauri’s commitment to eco-friendly solutions and innovative waste management strategies helps make Festival International a leader in environmental stewardship. Her expertise not only enhances the festival experience but also fosters a culture of sustainability within the community.
Zoe Sullivan, Director of Development, Friends of Bayou St. John
Zoe Sullivan is a seasoned development professional with over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, both domestically and internationally. She currently serves as the Development Director for Friends of Bayou St. John, an organization dedicated to the ecological preservation and sustainability of Bayou St. John, best known for its annual Bayou Boogaloo Music Festival. Zoe is also completing her doctoral dissertation in Political Science at Tulane University, where her research focuses on climate immobility and ethical community engagement in the Gulf South. Her work blends a passion for environmental advocacy with a deep understanding of political dynamics, aiming to foster community engagement and sustainable practices in her region. With a strong commitment to social and ecological justice, Zoe continues to drive meaningful change through her professional and academic endeavors.
Moderator: Brett Davis, Director, Grounds Krewe
Brett Davis is the Founding Director of Grounds Krewe, a New Orleans-based non-profit with a mission to lower the waste impact of the city’s many festivals and special events. His organization has a specific focus on transitioning the world’s largest free and unsponsored celebration, Mardi Gras, away from its overuse of imported, disposable, plastic parade “throws” that are often neglected and create millions of pounds of unnecessary trash in his community’s streets, storm drains and landfills. In addition to 6 years of implementing parade recycling initiatives, Grounds Krewe designs, manufactures, and sells affordable, eco-friendly parade throws to promote Louisiana products and people through the Sustainable Throw Catalog.
Microplastics in Our Waterways and the Impact of Plastic Litter
Microplastics appear to be ubiquitous in freshwater and aquatic systems where they can enter food webs via ingestion. This presentation will summarize the sources, pathways, fates and impacts of microplastics and the linkages of terrestrial plastic pollution to these tiny contaminants.
Dr. Mark Benfield, Professor, LSU Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences
Mark Benfield is a Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences at LSU. His research focuses on microplastic and microplastic pollution as well as zooplankton and deep-sea ecology. He received his B.Sc. from the University of Toronto, M.Sc. from the University of Kwazulu-Natal, and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. His postdoctoral training was at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He currently directs the newly-created Litter Institute at LSU. He resides in Baton Rouge with his two teenage sons.
Day Two – General Session
Click on each name for presentation and bio information.
Presentations by Louisiana State Departments
Hear updates from state department leaders about the important work being done at the state level to remove roadside litter and address waste tires.
LA Dept. of Transportation and Development, Secretary Joe Donahue
Terrence “Joe” Donahue Jr. was appointed Secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) by Governor Jeff Landry on January 5, 2024. A native of Baton Rouge, Secretary Donahue earned both his undergraduate and juris doctorate degrees from Louisiana State University. Secretary Donahue’s legal career spans over a decade, throughout which he founded and led the Donahue Law Firm in the practice of property, personal injury, civil rights, construction law, and mass torts. No stranger to public service, Secretary Donahue served as a Department attorney from 2018-2022 where he was responsible for litigation and negotiation on property matters as well as serving as the Department’s Innovative Procurement attorney, a role in which he was responsible for procurement and administration of contracts for alternative delivery projects. Upon leaving DOTD, Secretary Donahue served as Assistant Attorney General where he oversaw operation of Louisiana’s Occupational Licensing Review Program, provided litigation support for the Civil Division and continued to aide Louisiana’s transportation efforts, providing technical and legal support for matters involving DOTD.
LA Dept. of Environmental Quality, April Baiamonte, Executive Management Advisor
April Baiamonte is an employee of LDEQ and has worked in the environmental industry for over 25 years. She is the Executive Management Advisor for the agency where she uses her vast knowledge of regulations to complete special projects. She has held many positions within the agency including management and technical roles. She has been actively involved at regional and national levels as an advocate for the agency and environmental issues. April received a bachelor degree in chemistry from Southeastern Louisiana University and is a native of Tangipahoa parish.
LA Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries, Colonel Stephen A. Clark, Superintendent of Wildlife & Fisheries Law Enforcement
Day Two – Block Four
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Main Street Beautification and Revitalization
“Cities and towns across the state have come to see that a prosperous, sustainable community is only as healthy as its core.” Join this session to learn how to care for your community’s main street, and the powerful ripple effects it may have.
Ray Scriber, Director, Louisiana Main Street
Ray Scriber is the Director of Louisiana Main Street. He began work with Louisiana Main Street as the staff architect in 2003 and then became state director in 2007. Currently the Louisiana Main Street network is comprised of 36 organizations. Thirty-one of these are small town Main Street programs and 5 are urban Main Street programs in New Orleans. He also oversees the Certified Local Government program for the State of Louisiana working with 53 local governments and their historic district commissions.
His primary professional experience prior to joining Main Street was in the banking and insurance industries and with Desmond-Cuddeback Architects. He holds a Master of Architecture degree with a concentration in historic preservation from Louisiana State University, a Master of Business Administration degree from Centenary College and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.
Charlene Beckett, Manager, Abbeville Main Street
Charlene Broussard Beckett was born and raised in the small community of Meaux, Louisiana and has resided in Abbeville for the last 45 years. She is married with three children and 6 grandchildren. She attended Mt. Carmel High School in Abbeville, Louisiana and St, Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Her work history has been in retail, banking and insurance. In 1996, Charlene accepted the position of Main Street Manager for the City of Abbeville. She has served in that post for the last 28 years. Her tenure with the city has seen her through three mayoral administrations and a steady yet fluid landscape of city council members.
As Main Street Manager, and in conjunction with other associations and groups, she has initiated and participated in many popular community activities and programs. In 2006, Keep Abbeville Beautiful was created. Charlene manages a diverse group of volunteers as she works to promote and implement the Main Street program’s concepts and goals and to improve the quality of life for our residents. “It’s all in a day’s work,” says Charlene.
KLB Grants Program: Supporting Your Community
What makes a strong grant application? What projects are being funded? Is my organization eligible? Get all of your questions answered by KLB’s own Grants Manager in this session.
Jan Windhorst, Grants Manager, KLB
Jan Windhorst serves as the Grants Manager for Keep Louisiana Beautiful. Along with a Master’s in Journalism in Public Relations from LSU, she has over 35 years of experience in marketing and relationship management having served as a product manager, franchise marketing director, and marketing consultant. She has also served as an adjunct professor, teaching media production and communications courses at Loyola University and marketing courses at Tulane University.
Changing the Behaviors of the Next Generation through Litter Education
Dr. Vanessa van Heerden, Engagement Specialist, Louisiana Sea Grant
Presentation Description: Consider Litter is a school-based litter stewardship initiative with Louisiana Sea Grant and Pontchartrain Conservancy. Schools clean up their campus each month and then categorize and quantify the litter. They analyze the data to create an action plan for their campus to reduce litter accumulating into the watershed.
Bio:
Dr. Vanessa van Heerden is the engagement specialist at Louisiana Sea Grant and leads the Sea Grant portion of the Consider Litter project. She has extensive background in studying marine and land-based litter, conducting field and lab research across the United States and in the Cook Islands, a chain of remote atolls in the South Pacific. She has given over 25 conference presentations and invited lectures on various topics related to environmental and coastal sciences, including the impacts of marine debris and litter prevention.
Fran Harvey, Managing Director, Global Geospatial Institute
Presentation Description: Tag and Bag! Let AI help with identifying litter. No app download, no login, simply take a picture of the litter you collect, AI and GGI will do the rest.
The Global Geospatial Institute (GGI) is dedicated to enhancing K-12 education by integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into classroom learning. Since 2019, GGI has expanded its mission to address Louisiana’s litter problem through innovative projects focused on litter collection and awareness.
By utilizing in-house GIS technology, GGI empowers students, their families and community volunteers to engage with their local environment. Through data collection and tracking, students learn the impact of litter on their communities, fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship. GGI’s initiatives not only educate students but also encourage families to adopt sustainable practices, ultimately working towards a cleaner, healthier Louisiana.
Bio: Fran Harvey is a GIS Professional and has been working with the commercial form of GIS for over 30 years in disaster recovery and air quality applying GIS to help solve problems. She is actively engaged in how to apply GIS knowledge as part of one’s career path with two GIS courses and Industry Based Certificates (IBC). Teacher PD workshops for educators are important to developing our K-12 track. Through our Industry Partners we work on community projects such as Lafayette Litter Project, EBR Bus Bench Survey, Clean Pelican Map It Clean!, and more.
Fran served as a state leader for a national ArcGIS Online School Competition. Recently, one of our middle school contestants was the national winner. For 6 consecutive years we have held International GIS Day for hundreds of youth to learn GIS!
Presentation Description: Litter prevention begins with education. Learn about KLB’s initiatives targeting the next generation of Louisiana’s environmental stewards.
Bio: Susan Russell has been Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful since 2014. Before leading the state office, she spent eight years as a local affiliate director for Keep Mandeville Beautiful.
Her experience in non-profit management, strategic development, program development and implementation, grant administration, event planning, communications, and marketing spans over 33 years. In addition to her work in litter prevention, she served in leadership roles at Special Olympics and Volunteers of America.
Susan serves on the executive committee for the Keep America Beautiful State Leaders Council as well as on the executive committee for Keep Louisiana Beautiful. She is part of the 2024 Leadership Louisiana class.
As Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Susan leads the only statewide organization focused on litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling, and beautification. She oversees a grants program that has awarded over $5.95 million to fund local projects; offers environmental education lessons targeting students in grades K-5; conducts training and professional development; and supports a network of 52 affiliate organizations in their efforts to clean up and beautify Louisiana.
Leaders Against Litter: Highlights of Parish Litter Abatement Success
Tangipahoa and Livingston are some of our most successful parishes in litter prevention. Parish Presidents share their insights.
Robby Miller, President, Tangipahoa Parish
Serving as Tangipahoa Parish President since January 2016, Robby Miller has been a local business owner and community activist for over 35 years. His campaign promised to make Tangipahoa Parish the best in the state, across the region, and beyond. Robby has surrounded himself with an expert team of parish government employees focused on fulfilling that task.
Robby is currently serving as 2nd Vice President on the Executive Board of the Police Jury Association, having first been elected to the Board in 2020. He also serves as President of the Parish Presidents of Louisiana, 2nd Vice Chair of the Regional Planning Commission, serves as Vice-Chair of the Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry, is a member of NACo’s Telecommunications and Technology Steering Committee, and is an active voice on the state’s Connect LA Broadband Initiative.
A lifelong entrepreneur, Robby has brought his business skills to Parish Government. Miller and his team have focused on fulfilling his goal of streamlining Parish Government by increasing communication between parish agencies to deliver faster, better service for our customers.
Randy Delatte, President, Livingston Parish
Randy Delatte is a lifelong resident of Livingston Parish, raised on a strawberry farm in Maurepas. A 1972 Maurepas High School graduate, Randy’s deep connection to Lake Maurepas and local waterways shaped his dedication to protecting South Louisiana’s ecosystem. Randy’s public service began in 1992 when he was elected to the Livingston Parish Police Jury, serving as president for three years. He later played a key role in drafting the home rule charter and chaired the first parish council. As a licensed general contractor, Randy founded R&D Construction Services, building schools, businesses, and churches across Louisiana. His expertise led him to serve as Livingston Parish’s Building Official, Planning Director, and Public Works Director. In 2019, he returned to public service, driven by his commitment to address parish drainage issues. Randy and his wife DeeDee have five children, nine grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
Day Two – Block Five
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Growing the KLB Affiliate Network: Get Plugged In
Whether you are an established Affiliate or a newcomer passionate about clean and beautiful communities, learn how to become more connected to a vibrant statewide network committed to keeping Louisiana beautiful!
Cabell Mouton, Community Engagement and Affiliate Services Director, KLB
Cabell Mouton is a passionate advocate for a cleaner and more beautiful Louisiana. As Community Engagement and Affiliate Services Director for Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB), the state’s leading anti-litter organization, she empowers communities, nonprofits, schools, and partners to make a real difference.
Since joining KLB in 2017, Cabell has spearheaded efforts to provide education, training, resources, and programs to the Louisiana Affiliate Network. Her dedication has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative spirit and driving positive change across the state. Her unwavering commitment to community engagement and her ability to forge meaningful partnerships are driving positive change and shaping a cleaner, more beautiful Louisiana. Cabell also serves on the Advisory Council of AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.)
Prior to KLB, Cabell honed her skills in leadership and strategic planning during her time at the Louisiana Press Association, where she navigated complex public policy landscapes and spearheaded innovative initiatives to boost advertising revenue and audience engagement. She has also served as an educator at the Maritime Museum Louisiana, and as Sales and Marketing Manager for the Times-Picayune, demonstrating her versatility and expertise in diverse fields.
Cabell’s commitment to community building is deeply rooted. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and a minor in Sociology from Louisiana State University, she is equipped to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse audiences. Married with two daughters, she resides in Madisonville, LA, where her passion for a cleaner environment extends beyond her professional life.
How Advanced Recycling Supports a Circular Economy
This session will unveil new technology to support recycling plastic through advanced recycling. Learn what types of plastic can be recycled through advanced processes and hear about the need for community and government support to make a circular economy possible.
Jennifer Purpera, Baton Rouge Project Development Lead, ExxonMobil
Jennifer received a BS degree in Civil Engineering from Cornell University in 1997. She received her MBA from Louisiana State University in 2001.
She began her career with ExxonMobil at the Baton Rouge facility in 1997 as a project engineer. She worked several roles in Operations. She then led a large investment at the Baton Rouge Chemical Plant installing a new unit. In 2009, Jennifer transferred to Fuels Marketing in Fairfax, VA, as a Global Strategic Planner. In 2011, she became the Europe, Africa, ME Regional Sales Manager for Commercial Aviation based in Brussels, BE.
She returned to the US in 2013 as the Global Marketing Manager for Chemical Intermediates business. In 2014, Jennifer returned to Baton Rouge as the Technical Manager for Baton Rouge Plastics Plant. She transitioned to the Capital Planning role at the Baton Rouge Complex. As the corporation has merged to Product Solutions, her role supporting capital investment has broadened to support all facilities in Baton Rouge area.
EPA Recycling Funding Opportunities
The EPA has announced the next round of Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) and Recycling Education and Outreach (REO) grants. There will be $117 million available in new funding opportunities for cities, towns, counties, and parishes along with all Tribal nations.
Sean Stanton, Project Officer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
I have worked for the Environmental Protection Agency for the past 2 years where I’ve been a Project Officer awarding and overseeing several grants projects both in the Water and the Land Chemicals and Redevelopment Departments. Before my time at the EPA, I worked for several years at the City of Fort Worth spending time in both the Solid Waste and Environmental departments working on the implementation of waste reduction and minimization strategies, underground storage tank and Title 5 inspections, and Community Development Block Grant awards. I was previously a Recycling Coordinator for a large multi campus community college where I had the opportunity to lead all of the recycling and waste minimization efforts. I’ve also worked for the City of Salt Lake in their Solid Waste department working on recycling education and outreach efforts during my time there. I have a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Brigham Young University.
Initiatives to Preserve Our Sportsman’s Paradise: Recycling at State Parks and Litter Enforcement Cameras
This session will highlight State Parks’ recycling initiatives, conservation programs, and rebuilding efforts, along with Wildlife and Fisheries’ new litter enforcement cameras. It will cover camera installation, monitoring tips, and the impact of these efforts on preserving the state’s natural beauty.
Lt. Lance DeVillier
Lt. David Lance DeVillier has been with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division since 2006. He is assigned to the Lafayette Office, where he supervises Agents across four parishes. The Division’s mission, which DeVillier is passionate about, is to protect the natural resources of the state of Louisiana for current and future generations to enjoy.
