Emily Andrews - Special Counsel to Governor Jeff Landry

Emily Andrews serves as Special Counsel to Governor Jeff Landry. Before joining the Governor’s office, she served as a Deputy Director in the Civil Division of the Department of Justice, where she oversaw statewide legal opinions, specialized in constitutional litigation, and supervised representation for more than 60 boards and commissions. She has also served as General Counsel to several key state entities, including the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Juris Doctor from LSU. Her lifelong connection to Louisiana’s outdoors continues to guide her commitment to protecting the state’s wildlife, natural resources, and outdoor traditions.

Brandon Burris is the Assistant Secretary for the Office of State Parks within the department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism. Mr. Burris serves as a direct appointment for Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. Mr. Burris is responsible for the oversight of Louisiana’s vast State Parks system and numerous State Historic Sites. Prior to his appointment as Assistant Secretary, Mr. Burris served as Deputy Assistant Secretary within the Office of State Parks. 

Mr. Burris has also served as Executive Management Officer for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and as Deputy Director of Community Programs within the Office the Governor of Louisiana.

Assistant Secretary Burris is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University and a native of Monroe, La.

Mr. Breaux began work with the LDAF / Office of Soil & Water Conservation in January 1994 as a Soil Scientist and Coastal Revegetation Project Manager working with coastal Soil & Water Conservation Districts. In 1996 he began administering the statewide Soil & Water Conservation District Program and overseeing the Coastal Vegetative Planting program, the Agriculture Solid Waste Management Program, Agricultural Nonpoint Source Management Program, Agricultural and Marshland Prescribed Burning Program, Louisiana Master Farmer Certifications and served 23 years as the State Coordinator for the Louisiana Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) Program. He became the LDAF/OSWC Assistant Commissioner and SWCC Executive Director in July 2020.    

 Breaux was born in Creole, LA, was raised in southwest LA’s rice, cattle and crawfish production region and graduated from Bell City High School and McNeese State University (B.S. Dept. of Agriculture – Wildlife Management) 

Jerry Lang - Assistant Secretary for the Office of Environmental Compliance - LDEQ

Jerry Lang serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Environmental Compliance at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), a position he assumed in March 2024. He oversees statewide compliance, surveillance, enforcement, radiation control, and emergency response operations, ensuring the effective implementation of Louisiana’s environmental laws and the protection of public health and natural resources.

Mr. Lang joined LDEQ in 2014, beginning in the Water Surveys Section before moving to Emergency Response and later serving as Administrator of the Emergency & Radiological Services Division. He has led numerous complex, multi-agency environmental responses and works closely with EPA, LDH, LDWF, LDAF, GOHSEP, and local partners on major regulatory and emergency initiatives.

Before joining LDEQ, Mr. Lang worked as a research associate at LSU, supervised research and development in the private sector, and served as a fisheries biologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Renewable Natural Resources from Louisiana State University.

A lifelong outdoors enthusiast, he enjoys fishing the barrier islands of Louisiana—reflecting his enduring commitment to the state’s natural resources and environmental stewardship.

State Senator Bob Hensgens serves District 26 comprised of Vermilion parish and portions of Acadia, Lafayette and St. Landry parishes as well. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Natural Resources and also a committee member on Senate Health and Welfare, Senate Retirement, Senate Environmental Quality and the Select Committee on Coastal Restoration and Flood Protection. He was first elected to the legislature as Representative through a special election on April 30, 2011. He was elected to the Senate in November, 2018. He served as Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Health and Welfare. He also served on the committees of Appropriations, Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture, and Rural Development and Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. He is a member of the Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation. Senator Hensgens graduated from Vermilion Catholic High School and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He built his own successful health care management business. He is a former Mayor of the Town of Gueydan where he and his wife Nancy reside and are active members of St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church

Taylor Theriot serves as the executive staff officer for the Office of State Parks within the Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism. Mrs. Theriot is responsible for assisting in policy implementation for programs under the discretion of the assistant secretary.

Taylor is a graduate of Louisiana State University’s Manship School of Mass Communication and a native of New Orleans, La.

A lifelong resident of Louisiana and native of Monroe, LA. He first joined Delta Waterfowl as a member of the organization in 2006, later joining their local chapter as a volunteer with the Northeast Louisiana Chapter in 2012 and became a full-time employee with Delta in 2022. Prior to working for Delta Waterfowl, Justin served as Vice President at a local bank with more than 15 years of banking experience. A life-long duck hunter and conservationist who grew up primarily hunting on public lands and refuges in North Louisiana and South Arkansas: he enjoys hunting, training Labrador retrievers, and golf. A graduate of the University of Louisiana Monroe and the Graduate School of Banking at LSU.