Secretary Charlie Melancon of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), announced two key appointments today to the executive team that will assist him in directing agency activities on behalf of Governor John Bel Edwards.

 

Randell “Randy” S. Myers has been named Assistant Secretary of the Office of Wildlife. Myers, a 23 year veteran of LDWF, served most recently as Biologist Director of the Inland Fisheries Section.

Myers holds a B.S. in Wildlife Management from Louisiana State University, and a M.S. in Wetlands Ecology from Southeastern Louisiana University. He is the current Chairman of the False River and Lake Providence Watershed Councils, and is a member of the Atchafalaya Basin Research and Promotion Board.

In his new role, Myers will oversee the Wildlife Division which is charged with the enhancement and conservation of the habitat necessary to maintain the state’s species diversity and optimum distribution of wildlife populations, and to increase opportunities for the public to enjoy the Louisiana outdoors.

 

Patrick Banks has been named Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fisheries. Banks, a 15 year veteran of LDWF, served most recently as Biologist Director of the Marine Fisheries Section.

Banks holds a B.S. in Environmental Science from Mercer University and a M.S. in Zoology from Louisiana State University.  He is a member of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Oyster Technical Task Force and the Nature Conservancy’s Oyster Goals Science Advisory Team.

In his new role, Banks will oversee the Marine and Inland Fisheries Divisions which are charged with managing the state’s aquatic fish populations and habitats for the conservation and improvement of recreational and commercial fishing.

 

Bryan McClinton, LDWF's Undersecretary since 2013, will continue to serve in that position, overseeing the Office of Management and Finance which is responsible for fiscal and human resource management, information processing systems, licensing, procurement, and general administrative services.

McClinton previously served the state as a Budget Manager of the Louisiana Department of Corrections, and is a 10 year veteran of LDWF.  He holds a B.S. in Finance from Louisiana State University.

 

Joseph “Joey” Broussard, LDWF’s Colonel of the Enforcement Division since 2014, will continue to serve in that position overseeing the Enforcement Division which is responsible for compliance through the execution of enforcement laws, regulations and programs related to wildlife and fisheries use, conservation and management.

Colonel Broussard is a 25 year veteran of LDWF, and has previously served as LDWF Director of Training and LDWF Lt. Colonel overseeing field operations.  Broussard is a 1991 graduate of the LDWF Cadet Academy and has received several law enforcement awards throughout his years of service.

 

Cole Garrett, LDWF’s Legislative Liaison and Policy Attorney since 2010, will continue to serve in that position overseeing legislative, policy and legal matters for the Secretary.

Prior to his employment with LDWF, he served as a Clerk for the Honorable Guy Holdrige. Garrett holds a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.  He also holds a J.D. from Louisiana State University Law School.

 

Toby Gascon has been named Analytics Specialist to Secretary Melancon.  In his position, Gascon will oversee initiatives to improve efficiency and effectiveness of key processes within LDWF and across divisions and operating groups. He will be responsible for analyzing the effectiveness of programs and developing recommendations to improve or resolve substantive problems that affect agency services.

Gascon holds a B.A. in Government from Nicholls State University.  He is a former member of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission’s State Federal Coordinating Committee and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Advisory Committee on Menhaden.

 

Amy Cannizaro Burris has been named as Private Secretary to Secretary Melancon.  Mrs. Burris has held that position with LDWF since 2015, and will be responsible for administrative matters and scheduling for the Secretary.  Burris holds a B.S. in Marketing from Louisiana State University.

 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov or www.FishLA.org. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.