January 04, 2013

Members to Take Oath of Office at Jan. 11 Meeting

BATON ROUGE - While many people celebrated the coming of 2013 with toasts and fireworks, the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31 ushered in significant changes for the University of Louisiana System.  Seven of the 16-member Board of Supervisors' terms expired, an eighth member resigned, and Sandra Woodley officially became the new UL System President. Just three days later Governor Bobby Jindal announced the reappointment of three members and appointment of five new members to the Board. 

"The New Year is all about new beginnings, so I believe the timing is appropriate.  My first days on the job have certainly been exciting," said President Woodley.  "I look forward to working with our new and returning Board Members to ensure 2013 is a great year for the UL System and its nine universities."

"We are thankful for the swift, decisive action of Governor Jindal in making appointments to the Board.  Combining new appointments with reappointments will allow for a good mix of experienced membership and new ideas and energy," said Board Chair Wayne Parker.

The three Board reappointments are Jimmie "Beau" Martin of Cut Off, Jimmy Long, Sr., of Natchitoches, and Winfred Sibille of Sunset.  Martin was reappointed to represent the 3^rd Congressional District.  The owner of B & J Martin, Inc., he has been on the Board since 2011.  Long was reappointed to represent the 4^th Congressional District.  A former state representative, he has been on the Board since 2001.  Sibille was reappointed to the Board but was switched from the 7^th Congressional District to an at-large position.  A retired educator, he has been on the Board since 1995.

The five new Board appointments are as follows:

• Mark Romero of New Iberia was appointed to represent the 3^rd Congressional District. He is the Executive Vice President of Brown & Brown of Louisiana and replaces Paul Aucoin.
• Gary Solomon of New Orleans was appointed to represent the 2^nd Congressional District. He is Chairman of Crescent Bank and Trust and replaces Renee Lapeyrolerie.
• Dr. Kelly Faircloth of Pineville was appointed to represent the 5^th Congressional District. Dr. Faircloth is a chiropractor and owns the Faircloth Chiropractic Clinic in Alexandria. She replaces Jimmy Faircloth, Jr.
• Robert Shreve of Baton Rouge was appointed to represent the 6^th Congressional District. He is the CEO of Gulf South Business Systems and Consultants and replaces Russell Mosely.
• John Condos of Lake Charles was appointed to serve as an at-large member. He is President of Condos Legal and Legal Medical Solution, LLC and replaces Louis Lambert.

Plans are for all eight Board Members to take the Oath of Office next Friday, Jan. 11 at a meeting in Baton Rouge.

WHAT: Meeting of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System

WHEN: 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 11, 2013

WHERE: Auditorium, Room 100, Claiborne Building, 1201 N. Third Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802

A meeting agenda and more information about the Board can be found at www.ulsystem.edu.

President Sandra Woodley was named the eighth leader of the UL System on Nov. 9, 2012.  She brings to the UL System strategic planning and budgeting experience at four other state system offices.  Most recently, she served as Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives for the University of Texas System.  For more information about President Woodley, visit www.ulsystem.edu/president. 

-ULS-

The largest higher education system in Louisiana, the UL System enrolls over 92,000 students at Grambling State University, Louisiana Tech University, McNeese State University, Nicholls State University, Northwestern State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the University of Louisiana at Monroe, and the University of New Orleans.