Day One – General Session
Click on each name for presentation and bio information.
Originally from Orange, Texas, 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, partner in King and Guillory, LLC, and owner of Signature Notary Services. He is Founder of the Eljay Foundation for Parkinson Awareness, and board member of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, Sisters Surviving Cancer, and president of the DownTown Lake Charles Crawfish Festival Association. Eligha is also a member of the Zeta Psi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
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, campaigns, and provided communication solutions to non-profit organizations, for profit business units, health care institutions, as well as government agencies.
Eligha’s work experience includes community and program development, project management, as well as 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 Nomica and they are the proud parents of three children, Matthew (daughter in law Karen), Martina, and Isabella, and beautiful granddaughter Mattalyn.
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser is an outspoken voice for all of Louisiana.
Billy Nungesser is the 54th Lieutenant Governor. Since taking office in 2016, he and his team have guided the state to record-breaking tourism numbers of 53 million visitors prior to the pandemic, cut wasteful spending, and revitalized the State Park system in which several are self-sustaining and profitable.
Under his leadership, the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism has worked non-stop to revive Louisiana’s 4th largest industry – hospitality industry – welcoming tens of millions of visitors annually to enjoy Louisiana’s variety of cultural experiences, history, music, celebrations and culinary excellence.
In October 2023, Lt. Governor Nungesser was re-elected to a third term and, for the second time, with more votes than any other elected official. He is the longest-serving Republican lieutenant governor in Louisiana’s history.
He truly is a Lieutenant Governor for ALL of Louisiana.
Since 2014, Susan Russell has served as the Executive Director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, a state program under the Office of the Lt. Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. 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 35 years. In addition to her work in litter prevention, she served in leadership roles at Special Olympics and Volunteers of America.
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 $7.9 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 57 affiliate organizations in their efforts to clean up and beautify Louisiana.
Susan also serves on the board of directors for the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Foundation. She is an alumnus of the 2024 Leadership Louisiana class.
Jay Kleberg is the Executive Director of the Trust, working to provide Texas-based, science-backed solutions to the Gulf’s most pressing challenges. The Gulf Trust partnered with several companies and Keep Texas Beautiful to launch a statewide, watershed-based litter cleanup in May 2025.
In October 2023, he and his wife became the first to complete a 370-mile hike of Texas’ seven barrier islands as part of a project called Chasing the Tide, which included a documentary series, book, and learning resources. The six-part series premiered across Texas and national PBS stations in October 2024 and is now streaming on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and other platforms. Jay also co-produced the feature-length film Deep in the Heart: A Texas Wildlife Story and was an Associate Producer of The River and the Wall documentary.
Before serving as the founding Executive Director of the Gulf Trust, Mr. Kleberg served eight years as Associate Director and Director of Land Conservation for Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. He has also provided strategy consulting services to the National Park Service, The Peregrine Fund, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Mr. Kleberg also cofounded an international ranch vacation company — Explore Ranches, spent seven years in the commercial real estate business on the U.S.-Mexico border, and helped start and manage a Brazilian Amazonian conservation organization and tourism operation.
Currently, he serves as a trustee for the Caesar Kleberg Foundation for Wildlife Conservation. He is also on the advisory board of Flatsworthy, an angler-led conservation group, UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, South Texas Charity Weekend, and Burn Pits 360, a veterans support and advocacy organization. Jay earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Williams College and his MBA from UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business. He and his wife live in Austin, Texas, with their three daughters.
Kathleen has led Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful since January 2019 and served as the organization’s only boat captain until she expanded the fleet and staff in 2023. Since the inaugural boat launch in 2019, Kathleen has collaborated with an incredibly active board, invested partners, and passionate volunteers to remove nearly 1 million lbs. of trash from the Tennessee River watershed. She also launched new infrastructure programs such as the largest network of electric litter skimmers on any river system in the world and art-wrapped cigarette receptacles that now total in more than 1,400 installed in all 7 states of the Tennessee River watershed. That includes Dollywood, which was the 1st theme park in the world to recycle the plastic from every cigarette butt the park collects through KTnRB’s program. Since 2019, KTnRB has received a dozen national and state awards including the Innovation Award from Keep America Beautiful and Nonprofit Recycler of the Year from the Tennessee Recycling Coalition.
Prior to her current position, she served as communications specialist at the City of Knoxville for 15 years, serving under four mayors and specializing in parks and recreation as well as other public works departments. There, she worked with Living Lands & Waters to initiate the 2015 Tennessee River Tour, which eventually led to TVA and Keep Tennessee Beautiful forming Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful. She also served as the Let’s Move! Liaison for the City of Knoxville to the National League of Cities, collaborating with local government entities. This work led to Knoxville/Knox County ranking no. 1 in the nation among Let’s Move! Cities, Towns, & Counties initiative and the National League of Cities naming Kathleen the ‘2015 Most Dedicated Staff Member’ award recipient.
Kathleen has also worked in marketing / communications consultation on the side, most notably serving 2009-2012 as media liaison for Jenny Berggren, lead singer from the 90s pop sensation, Ace of Base. Kathleen currently serves on the National Recreation and Parks Association Magazine board and serves on the board for the East Tennessee Childhood Obesity Coalition. In 2022, she graduated from the Leadership Tennessee NEXT program.
Day One – Block One Breakout Sessions
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Increasing Litter Enforcement with Surveillance Cameras and State Parks Rangers
Speaker: Travis Huval – Enforcement Specialist, Keep Louisiana Beautiful
Travis Huval is a retired Lieutenant Colonel with La Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement division. He served 25 years of law enforcement experience with LDWF. In 2021 Huval was appointed to then Governor John Bel Edwards’ Litter Task Force. He also serves as a member of Keep Louisiana Beautifull’s advisory board. Since 2024, Huval has been a part of the Keep Louisiana Beautiful staff, working as Litter Enforcement Specialist.
Speaker: Captain Davis Madere – Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Speaker: Lieutenant Mason Spillman – Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Travis Huval, Davis Madere, and Mason Spillman will discuss and provide updates on what is being done to enforce the litter laws in Louisiana.
Think Outside the Bin: Unique Paths to More Recycling
Presentation Topic: Mardi Bar Wars
Speaker: Franziska Trautmann, CEO and Co-Founder, Glass Half Full
Franziska, a Carencro, Louisiana native, graduated in 2020 with her degree in chemical engineering from Tulane University. This gave her the skills necessary to help lead “ReCoast,” a research team backed by the National Science Foundation, conducting novel research on the use of recycled glass sand for coastal restoration. Their team has now completed five coastal restoration projects, restoring thousands of meters of coastline and counting. In her spare time, Franziska makes educational TikToks ranging from recycling to climate change to wastewater treatment. Her page has garnered over 300,000 followers and millions of views.
In this session, Fran will cover the background of Glass Half Full (how they started and what they do) and then dive into the origin of the Bar Wars idea, how it was executed, the success, and how it could be replicated in other areas
View Presentation Slides
Presentation Topic: Mobile Recycling Trailer
Speaker: Courtney Hornsby, Chief of Staff, City of West Monroe and KLB Foundation Chair
Courtney Hornsby currently serves as the Chief of Staff for West Monroe, Louisiana Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell. She has served in this role since Mayor Mitchell took office in July 2018.
In her role, Hornsby works with all city departments, helping facilitate projects and special events and public communications.
She currently serves as the Chairman of the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Foundation and has served on the board for many years. She is also an active member of Ouachita Green and Keep West Monroe Beautiful.
She previously served as the president of the West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce and before that, served the City of Natchitoches for approximately 12 years both as the affiliate director of Keep Natchitoches Beautiful and the Natchitoches Main Street Manager. During that time, she became a Nationally Certified Main Street Manager.
Hornsby earned a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism and a Master’s Degree in English, both from Northwestern State University. She is a graduate of Leadership Ouachita, Leadership Louisiana and Delta Leadership Institute.
She is married to the Rev. Shawn Hornsby, and they have three children – Peyton, Emily and Cooper.
Speaker: Christopher Cooper, Louisiana Community Forests by Baton Rouge Green
Christopher grew up on a small forested, organic subsistence farm in Bush, Louisiana, where he learned to appreciate ecological and agricultural sustainability. That passion took him to Louisiana State University to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Plant and Soil Science, which sparked Cooper’s interest in arboriculture and urban forestry. Today, he aspires to fill the urban environment with food-producing landscapes that are not only ecologically rich in diversity but also aesthetically engaging.
Christopher is an International Society of Arboriculture-certified arborist and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ).
Presentation:
Baton Rouge Green’s local tree advocacy and management around the Capital City has been the core of its mission for nearly four decades. However, with one of our newest programs, Louisiana Community Forests, we have stepped into the role of statewide outreach and grant programming to build capacity around Urban & Community Forestry for groups and communities big and small. Whether local or across the state, partnership has always been key for building successful canopies for all.
Speaker: Lauren Jones, Executive Director, Shreveport Green
As Executive Director of Shreveport Green, LJ has spent over a decade fostering environmental resilience through community-driven projects. She is passionate about developing programs that deepen the connection between people and nature while addressing inequities in food systems, agriculture, and the environment—always with a focus on partnership and cross-sector collaboration. Her notable achievements include hosting ShreveCorps, one of the nation’s longest-running AmeriCorps programs; co-founding the Louisiana Small Scale Agriculture Coalition (LSSAC), a statewide network supporting small farmers; establishing North Louisiana’s largest urban farm; and operating the state’s longest-standing Mobile Market program. LJ also serves on several boards and advisory committees, including Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (LA SARE), the Louisiana Community Forestry Advisory Committee (LCFAC), ReForm Shreveport, and the Rotary Club of Downtown Shreveport. Shreveport Green is a proud affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Louisiana Beautiful, maintaining President’s Circle status for nearly 30 years.
Speaker: Barry Landry, Director of Communications, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Barry Landry started with the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism in 2016 and currently serves as the Director of Communications. Before moving over to DCRT, he spent six years as the Director of Public Affairs and Press Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Education where he was instrumental in helping create the Louisiana Believes branding. Prior to his public service, Barry worked nearly 20 years in television news, serving in every role from producer and reporter to Assistant News Director, garnering numerous awards along the way.
Speaker: Lesley Melancon, Press Secretary, Office of the Lieutenant Governor
Lesley Melancon, Press Secretary for the Louisiana Lieutenant Governor, is a communications professional with more than 15 years of experience in public relations and media relations. In her role, she leads press strategy, develops messaging, and provides media training to ensure leaders deliver clear, confident communication. She has secured coverage and guided interviews with outlets including CNN, The Weather Channel, and FOX News, helping public officials and organizations build trust and connect with audiences. Previously, Lesley held communications roles with Tulane University and WWL-TV in New Orleans, where she focused on strategic outreach, brand management, and media engagement. Known for blending insider media insight with practical, real-world tactics, Lesley is passionate about helping leaders share their stories in ways that resonate. She holds a master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of New Orleans and bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology from Louisiana State University.
Day One – Lunch Program
Click on the speaker for a presentation description and bio information.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Neil Aspinwall, Chancellor, SOWELA Technical Community College
Dr. Neil Aspinwall began his career in the field of education in 1986 as a classroom teacher at Glynn Academy High School in Brunswick, Georgia. In 1995, he became the Director of Adult Education at Okefenokee Technical College in Waycross, Georgia. In 1997, he became the Director of Instruction at Okefenokee Tech and then in 1999, the Vice President of Economic Development. In 2007, Dr. Aspinwall became the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services within the University System of Georgia at Waycross College. Dr. Aspinwall was appointed Chancellor of SOWELA Technical Community College in April of 2012.
SOWELA has been ranked the #1 Community College in Louisiana for the past 7 years by Wallethub and Niche. The institution has been transformed into a comprehensive community college with Workforce Development at its core. SOWELA offers over 30 programs and 60+ industry-based credentials (IBCs). These programs are designed to provide dynamic instruction and practical learning opportunities that prepare students to enter the workforce or seamlessly transfer to a four-year institution. With a main campus in Lake Charles and satellite campuses in Jennings, Oakdale, and Leesville, the institution has become a critical component for economic growth in the SWLA region. SOWELA just celebrated its 87th anniversary; and over the last 13 years, with investments of over $65M in the physical campus and an additional $40M in hurricane repairs, the College stands ready to meet the training and educational needs of the citizens of SW Louisiana for many years to come.
Dr. Aspinwall holds a bachelor’s degree in education with a major in Technology Education, Masters and Specialist degrees in education with a major in School Administration and Supervision, and a Doctorate degree in education with a major in Educational Administration all from Georgia Southern University. He also holds a certificate as a Certified Economic Developer Trainer (CEDT) from the Georgia State Board of Technical and Adult Education and a Certified Workforce Developer (CWD) from the Louisiana Community & Technical College System.
Day One – Block Two Breakout Sessions
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Speaker: Susan Russell, Executive Director, Keep Louisiana Beautiful
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.
Presentation Description:
In this session, learn what best practices, policies and ordinances local governments should include when developing a comprehensive litter abatement and beautification plan. We will cover everything from enforcement, prevention tactics, and litter removal to tree ordinances.
Presentation: Bringing Love the Boot to the Classroom
Speaker: Michelle Jenkins, Economic Development Coordinator, St. John the Baptist Parish
Presentation Description:
During Love the Boot Week, St. John the Baptist Parish engaged K–8 students with hands-on environmental education activities designed to inspire early awareness and action. Students participated in classroom reading sessions and recycling lessons, deepening their understanding of sustainability. Partnering with a local “Green Team,” the parish supported the creation of a student-led video on recycling, giving young people a platform to share their voices and ideas. The effort also promoted the Team Up to Clean Up event, reinforcing the importance of community involvement and empowering students to take pride in protecting their environment.
Presentation: Environmental Education through Poster Art
Speaker: Bess Foret, Environmental Quality Manager, Lafayette Consolidated Government
Bess Foret is the Environmental Quality Manager for the Lafayette Consolidated Government. She oversees all areas of the Division including the curbside solid waste and recycling programs, household Hazardous Waste Day, the yard waste composting facility, LDEQ, USACOE, and EPA regulations, along with many other responsibilities shared with the entire Environmental Quality staff.
Bess has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental and Sustainable Resources from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has been employed by the Lafayette Consolidated Government in the Environmental Quality Division since 2002. Prior to becoming Manager in 2016, Bess was the Regulatory Compliance Supervisor and developed the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System plan into a nationally recognized stormwater quality program.
She is currently the Executive Director of Keep Lafayette Beautiful and is passionate about litter and beautification programs. She has also served as President of the Bayou Vermilion Preservation Association, a non- profit that creates awareness about conserving, protecting and enjoying the Bayou Vermilion Watershed.
Bess enjoys partnering with private and public sectors to work together to improve and protect our cherished natural resources so all of our community can enjoy them.
KLB Grant Resources to Fund Projects
Speaker: Jan Windhorst, Grants Director, Keep Louisiana Beautiful
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.
In this session, Jan will provide an inside look at Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s grants program, offering guidance on how to craft successful applications and effectively manage awarded funds.
Connect and Communicate with Social Media
Speaker: Scot Pilie, Social Media Specialist, Pontchartrain Conservancy
Speaker: Melissa Kenyon, Marketing and Communications Director, Keep Louisiana Beautiful
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.
Day One – Block Three Breakout Sessions
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Join us in the Premiere Ballroom to share ideas and make connections around central conference topics. Topic areas to be announced.
Greener Grounds Spotlight: Rethinking Festival Waste in Tangipahoa Parish
Speaker: Ginger Tastet, Keep Tangipahoa Beautiful
Ginger Tastet is a dedicated public servant and community leader with over 22 years of service to Tangipahoa Parish Government, where she currently serves as the Litter Coordinator. In this role, she passionately promotes environmental awareness and civic responsibility throughout the parish. One of Ginger’s standout initiatives is Roxsey’s Toolbox, a litter education program she teaches to 4th-grade students, inspiring the next generation to care for their environment through hands-on learning and community pride. Ginger is an active member of Keep Tangipahoa Beautiful, where she contributes to broader beautification and environmental sustainability efforts. She is also leading a new recycling initiative aimed at reducing waste at local fairs and festivals, helping to promote greener community events. Beyond her environmental work, Ginger serves as the President of the St. Helena Catholic Daughters, where she provides spiritual leadership, fosters community service, and uplifts the mission of faith-based sisterhood. Her life and work reflect a deep commitment to service, stewardship, and strengthening her community through education, faith, and environmental action.
Presentation Description: Discover how local fairs and festivals can go green without losing the fun. “Trash to Treasure: Rethinking Waste at Festivals” explores practical, community-driven strategies for reducing waste through recycling, reusing, and composting. Learn how event organizers, vendors, and attendees can work together to minimize environmental impact, turn waste into resources, and create more sustainable celebrations. From smart bin setups to creative reuse ideas, this presentation offers tools and inspiration to transform how we think about “trash” at public events.
Shreveport Cleans Up “Block by Block”
In this panel discussion, hear from the key players in Shreveport’s Block by Block neighborhood revitalization program. Working closely with community members, the initiative aims to target blight and encourage property restoration rather than demolition.
Moderator: Lauren Jones, Executive Director, Shreveport Green
Speaker: Tom Arceneaux, Mayor, City of Shreveport
Mayor Tom Arceneaux was elected as Shreveport’s 57th mayor in December 2022 and began his term in January 2023. Since then, he has been committed to restoring trust in city government and working alongside residents to strengthen neighborhoods. His signature initiative, Block by Block, embodies this vision. The program brings city departments, volunteers, and community partners together to tackle blight, clean up streets, remove litter, and revitalize neighborhoods one block at a time. What began as a grassroots approach to addressing quality-of-life issues has grown into a citywide movement, inspiring civic pride and active citizen engagement.
Beyond Block by Block, his administration has moved forward with long-awaited public safety investments, including new Shreveport Police Department substations and a modern headquarters, as well as key infrastructure upgrades to streets, drainage, and water systems. His focus on economic growth has also helped attract new business investments and create opportunities for residents.
Before becoming mayor, Arceneaux practiced law in Louisiana for more than four decades and previously served on the Shreveport City Council, including as Council Chairman. He has also given years of service to organizations such as United Way of Northwest Louisiana, the Highland Restoration Association, Shreveport Little Theatre, Holy Angels Residential Facility, and the Rotary Club of Shreveport.
He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in the Highland neighborhood. They are proud parents of three grown children and grandparents to eight.
Speaker: Karen Barnes, Vice President of Destination Development at Visit Shreveport Bossier
Karen M. Barnes is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana. She graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches Louisiana, with a degree in Office Administration/Business Administration. The knowledge gained through her education provided her with valuable skills that she applied in both the private and public sectors, particularly in the areas of contract compliance and workforce development for more than 20 years.
Barnes possesses extensive expertise in business development and has received over 290 hours of professional training in areas such as contract compliance, capacity building, economic development, goal setting, good faith efforts, the Fair Housing Act, legal updates, and large project management. Her work has consistently ensured procurement opportunities for small businesses across the Northwest Louisiana community.
Currently, Barnes serves as the Vice President of Destination Development at Visit Shreveport-Bossier. In this role, she connects and engages civic leaders to focus on actionable initiatives aligned with the Shreveport-Bossier Destination Master Plan. Her responsibilities include enhancing strategic planning, product development, and community engagement; promoting sustainability and responsible tourism practices; and fostering new business development partnerships to help build a stronger Northwest Louisiana community.
Barnes’ community involvement includes serving as a Volunteer Louisiana Board Member and Vice Chair, a Small Business Advisory Council Member with the State of Louisiana, and active roles with United Way of Northwest Louisiana, Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier, Membership Chair for the Norwela Council of the Boy Scouts of America and currently serves on the Boards of Directors for both the Shreveport Symphony and Shreveport Common.
Speaker: Terrence Green, Director of Property Standards, City of Shreveport
Day Two – General Session
Click on each name for presentation and bio information.
Update from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Speaker: Dr. Amanda Vincent, Assistant Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Dr. Amanda Vincent earned a bachelor’s of science degree (BS) and a master’s of science (MS) degree in biology from Southeastern Louisiana University; earned a masters of business administration (MBA) degree in project management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette; and a doctor of philosophy degree (PhD) in coastal sciences from The University of Southern Mississippi. She has worked at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) since 2007. Dr. Vincent has held positions at LDEQ in programs for water quality standards and assessment, water permitting, and natural resource damage assessments. Since 2024, Dr. Vincent has served as the Assistant Secretary for LDEQ’s Office of Environmental Services, where she oversees permitting for LDEQ.
New Paths Forward: Opportunities for Repurposing Waste Tires
Speaker: Stratton Kirton, Vice President of Government Relations, Liberty Tire Recycling
Tire recycling is one of America’s most successful recycling stories with almost 80% of tires either being recycled or finding a beneficial reuse. But if tire recycling has been so successful, why do so many tires still end up being dumped or stockpiled? In this presentation, Stratton will discuss the history of tire recycling and how we can leverage the public and private sectors to produce better outcomes for our communities.
Stratton Kirton is the vice president of government affairs at Liberty Tire Recycling, the leading tire recycling company in North America. Previously, he was a partner at a strategic communications firm, where he advised clients on sustainability issues. He also worked on Capitol Hill in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House before joining the private sector. He serves on the board of the non-profit Rural Investment to Protect Our Environment, as well as chairing the Synthetic Turf Council’s Sustainability Committee, and working with the Tire Recycling Foundation.
Speaker: Stephen Cobb, Chief of Land Division, Alabama Department of Environmental Management
Mr. Cobb is a licensed Professional Engineer and a Certified Public Manager with more than 37 years of waste and cleanup program experience. Mr. Cobb has been with ADEM since 1987. During his ADEM career, he has worked in progressively challenging roles in the Department’s RCRA, CERCLA, Voluntary Cleanup, and Brownfields programs.
Mr. Cobb has also actively participated in various EPA-State workgroups and in national forums with DOD on various hazardous waste management and cleanup issues since the early 1990’s, and has served in numerous leadership roles with the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials.
Currently, Mr. Cobb is the Chief of the of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s Land Division. In this position, Mr. Cobb provides executive management and leadership of ADEM’s waste and remediation related regulatory programs, including hazardous waste (RCRA), hazardous substances cleanup (CERCLA), groundwater, petroleum storage tanks (UST), solid waste, scrap tires, recycling, beneficial use, drycleaner, brownfield’s and voluntary cleanup
Speaker: Glenn Ledet, Secretary, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
An accomplished leader with 20 years of expertise, Glenn Ledet, Jr. has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors building public infrastructure across the Gulf Coast. Most recently, Mr. Ledet spent the last 1.5 years serving as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, leading the agency’s implementation of State’s $50 billion Coastal Master Plan.
No stranger to public service, Mr. Ledet also spent additional time at CPRA as the Assistant Administrator of the Operations Division, managing the implementation of large-scale flood protection infrastructure projects.
Mr. Ledet also has an extensive engineering and business background serving for over 13 years in the engineering industry, including multiple years in management positions with a nationally renowned engineering, planning, and construction management firms, where he led strategic growth, business development, and operations efforts. In those capacities Mr. Ledet, had the opportunity to work for various Departments of Transportation across the Southeast US including LA DOTD.
Mr. Ledet has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Environmental Engineering from Louisiana State University, and is a licensed Civil Engineer in multiple state’s in the gulf coast.
Day Two – Block Four Breakout Sessions
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Working Together: Engaging Local Businesses for Community Impact
Speaker: Chris Breaux, Founder, Westbank Quality of Life, Keep Westbank Beautiful
As a lifelong resident of the Jefferson Parish Westbank, Chris Breaux has been volunteering in his community since the age of 13. His mission has always been developing others into making a meaningful impact to their communities personally, professionally, and across generations.
Experiencing successes has inspired Chris to assist by developing tailored strategies that integrate his connection and relationships with like-hearted individuals in his community, all within an experience marked by trust and personal connection. He listens, cares and has wholeheartedly dedicated himself to helping others achieve their unique definition of success.
As an advocate in our community, Chris served as president/board member/volunteer of many organizations including Westbank Business & Industry Association, West Jefferson Medical Center Foundation, Optimist Club, Lions Club, Rotary Club, Kiwanas Club, Knights of Columbus, Louisiana Kids, Civil Air Patrol, Jaycees, and volunteered in governmental committees. He founded the Westbank Quality of Life initiative to preserve the integrity of our community. These initiatives have led to the formation of the Keep Westbank Beautiful Affiliate.
Professionally, Chris assists others in Wealth Management and operates his Edward Jones Branch Office in Marrero, Louisiana
Chris and his wife Sheila enjoy spending time with family, especially their grandchildren. His fondest memories are growing up humble and working at the age of 9 years old learning the value of hard work and dedication. This work ethic is his basis of his pledge to do his level best to work improving his community.
Presentation: Getting Creative with Waste Tires to Raise Funds
Speaker: Stuart Hodnett, Director of the Northeast Region of Rural Development for the Govenor’s Office, Director of Keep West Monroe Beautiful
How to Launch a Mural Project and Beautify your Community
Speaker: Caroline Cassagne, Executive Director, Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, Louisiana Office of Cultural Development
Caroline is the Executive Director of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. She previously served as Assistant Director, where she ran the grants programs and managed marketing and communications. In her current role, she manages partnerships and fosters connections with community stakeholders to promote the heritage area and create authentic experiences.
Before joining ANHA, Caroline served on the lead development team at Louisiana Economic Development, promoting Louisiana’s culture and economy to out-of-state companies looking to relocate. Caroline holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She is also a 2023 graduate of the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy program through the Louisiana Travel Association.
Speaker: Francesca Vega, Director, Civic Design and Cultural Districts, Louisiana Division of the Arts
Francesca Vega is a cultural strategist and creative placemaking activator based in Baton Rouge. As Director of Civic Design & Cultural Districts with the Louisiana Division of the Arts, an agency of the Office of Cultural Development, she works with over 127 communities statewide to support arts-driven revitalization and place-based storytelling. Before joining the Division, Francesca held positions in cultural institutions and nonprofit organizations. Her experience is largely in project and data management; fundraising; community outreach; and program development. In her current role, she focuses on establishing and maintaining relationships among communities, stakeholders, and governmental bodies while promoting the benefits of tapping into the state’s cultural economy. Her approach blends data with creativity while centering local voices. Francesca holds two master’s degrees – one in art history and the other in public administration – from Texas Tech University’s School of Art and Department of Political Science.
Presentation Description: 2-D public art is a powerful tool for community engagement, creative placemaking, and beautification. This session will walk participants through the step-by-step process of creating a mural project in any community, from idea to implementation. Whether you are part of a local nonprofit, a municipal office, or a grassroots coalition, this session will offer practical guidance and real-world examples of successful, community-led mural projects supported by the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development.
Presenters Caroline Cassagne, Executive Director of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, and Francesca Vega, Director of Civic Design & Cultural Districts, will share key insights into public mobilization, funding, navigating permissions, and the selection process. Participants will leave with a customizable project template and actionable steps for developing their own mural initiative that reflects local culture and fosters civic pride.
Keeping Waste Out of the Landfill during Campus Move-Out Days
Presentation Description:
Presentation featuring the importance of partnerships in stemming waste during campus move-out initiatives. Our goal is to share these move-out initiatives with audiences beyond higher education, to illuminate this work for broader awareness, and to potentially plant seeds for future partnerships among institutions and community organizations.
The focus will be on identifying what goods can be donated and finding partners to help facilitate collection and distribution. Spotlights on a few receiving organizations to be provided along with data about quantities of goods diverted and example partnership models.
Speakers:
Jordan Stewart AIA, LEED AP
Jordan Stewart is currently director of Tulane University’s Office of Sustainability. She has over ten years of experience as a practicing architect in the Bay Area and has been a LEED Accredited Professional since 2004. She worked with Tulane’s Taylor Center for Social Innovation and Design Thinking with an eye on applying design thinking approaches to sustainability challenges. She is past chair of the USGBC Louisiana Chapter and led its statewide Green Schools Challenge for k-12 schools before joining Tulane’s Office of Sustainability in 2019.
- Helena Robinson, Xavier University
Helena is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in education and higher education operations, dedicated to advancing sustainability initiatives. Leveraging an MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and an MBA, she strategically develops and implements programs that cultivate climate champions and optimize facility operations. Since 2019, as Director of Sustainability and Quality Control, she has been instrumental in driving Xavier University’s environmental stewardship through strategic planning, grant writing, and the formalization of sustainability programming. Her expertise encompasses waste reduction, urban forestry, climate action campaigns, and the promotion of clean energy infrastructure. Helena’s commitment to continuous improvement is evident in her certifications as a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor, Climate Wayfinding Facilitator, One Point Five Fellow, and GNOF Emerging Leader.
Dr. Aimée K. Thomas, Loyola University
Dr. Aimée K. Thomas is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Loyola University New Orleans. Her research integrates natural history with ecology and conservation biology to establish biodiversity baselines, recognize environmental patterns, and assess ecosystem health. She focuses primarily on local and tropical spider communities while also exploring broader environmental issues through interdisciplinary collaborations.
Dr. Thomas actively incorporates her international research experiences into her teaching and mentoring, engaging students in hands-on, high-impact practices such as course-based research, service learning, and community partnerships. Her students have earned national recognition for their work on campus sustainability and urban ecology.
Her recent scholarship includes peer-reviewed publications on urban biodiversity, naturalist education, and environmental justice. Notable works include “Beyond Green Facades: Measuring the Ecology of Vertical Gardens in Quito, Ecuador” (2024) and “Naturalists’ Technology Use Supports Education” (2024). Several current projects highlight her commitment to advancing research at the intersection of ecology, education, and environmental justice.
Dr. Thomas has presented her work at national and international conferences, including the Eco-Pedagogy: What Undergraduates Need Now Conference (Rice University, 2022) and the National Association of Biology Teachers Conference (Anaheim, 2024), where her student collaborators received national awards for their research in environmental stewardship and campus ecology.
Volunteer Recruitment, Management, and Retention
Speaker: Judd Jeansonne, Executive Director, Volunteer Louisiana
Judd Jeansonne serves as the Executive Director of Volunteer Louisiana in the Office of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser where he helps strengthen communities through volunteerism and national service. His work includes overseeing AmeriCorps grants, building volunteer disaster resilience, and promoting a culture of service throughout Louisiana. Prior to joining Volunteer Louisiana in 2014, Judd spent 12 years as AmeriCorps Program Director at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where he supervised over 400 AmeriCorps members.
Judd is a former KLB Advisory Board member and serves currently as national Board Chair for America’s Service Commissions, the membership association representing and promoting the 52 governor-led state and territorial service commissions across the United States. There he helps build bipartisan support for AmeriCorps and was recently awarded the 2025 Stoneman Brown Advocate of the Year Award from Voices from National Service.
Day Two – Lunch Program
Click on each session topic for a presentation description and bio information.
Keynote Speaker: Jennifer Lawson, President and CEO of Keep America Beautiful
Jenny Lawson joined Keep America Beautiful as its President and CEO in May of 2022. Prior to joining KAB Jenny served as Chief Civic Innovation Officer at Points of Light. Her career has focused on social impact and tri-sector partnerships that elevate volunteering and civic engagement. Prior to POL, Jenny held leadership roles at C2ES and The Nature Conservancy.
