Jan. 9, 2020 - Bill Hogan of Ruston was elected chair of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) and Jerri Smitko of Houma vice-chair during the Commission’s January meeting Thursday (Jan. 9) in Baton Rouge. The two Commissioners will serve in those positions through 2020.
Hogan, who served as vice-chair the previous year, is a longtime Louisiana resident and president and CEO of Century Next Bank. He was born in Nashville, Tenn., grew up in Fort Smith, Ark., and graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in finance. A member of Ducks Unlimited (DU) for 30 years, Hogan has served as state chairman of DU and is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. He also has been active in several organizations, including the Coastal Conservation Association.
Smitko is an attorney and the owner of Smitko Law, APLC, in Houma. She is a graduate of Nicholls State University and Tulane law school. Smitko was special legal counsel to Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government from 1992 to 1998, and the assistant parish attorney for the same body from 1988 to 1992. She has served on various boards throughout her career. Smitko is a member of the American Bar Association, Louisiana and Terrebonne Parish bar associations and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. She served in the Louisiana Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve until her honorable discharge in 1985.
