What New Orleans neighborhood do you live in/Where did you grow up?
I’m originally from the Upper Ninth Ward and grew up in Gentilly. Then in high school, I moved to the West Bank and went to John Ehret. I currently live in Algiers.
Describe your job to us!
It is my job to oversee the City Of New Orleans’ federal legislative priorities and help to implement them. In addition to that, I also troubleshoot different issues with different federal agencies on behalf of City departments. In addition, I advise the Mayor on some partnerships with national mayoral conferences. I also act as a liaison in her partnerships with the Mississippi River Cities and Town Initiative, as well as the Cities Thrive Coalition.
Tell us about your career path.
In college, I went to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. I had the great honor of being part a Future Leaders Internship Program during the 2015 Louisiana State legislative session. I got the opportunity to work with Representative Ledricka Thierry from Opelousas. I got on with the Landrieu administration and was his briefing manager. About a year later, I moved up to Deputy Director of the Executive Office. I stayed on to become Mayor Cantrell’s Executive Office Director. And, in November of 2018 I transferred to federal relations.
What do you find to be the greatest challenge with your role?
I think the greatest challenge that I face is how far away from Washington I am. I don’t always have the ability to talk to someone face-to-face. I view face-to-face communication as a great tool for getting things done.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy interacting with the different politicians throughout the country. It’s cool to have had breakfast with Joe Biden. It’s pretty cool to interact with different mayors and have meetings with congressional leadership.
What is your favorite thing about New Orleans?
My favorite thing about New Orleans is our culture. In this role live had the opportunity to travel across the nation. There’s no place in this country, and possibly the world, as unique as New Orleans. It is a unique and a great honor to say that I am a son of New Orleans and that is have affected the way I talk, walk, and think versus other Americans around the nation.