LaPolitics: You were nearing retirement when Gov. Jeff Landry called about the LED role. What were you expecting to do for the next four years before that happened?
Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois: I expected to do some consulting in organizational development, economic development, philanthropy—the things that I was good at—and continue to live in Louisiana and make an impact in whatever way I could. When I retired, I thought, “Well, maybe I’ll try a yoga class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon.” That didn’t work out. There was no way I could refuse this opportunity.
Why is the LED overhaul needed?
I saw three primary areas where we could make an enormous difference: Developing an aggressive, outward-bound lead development strategy, where we deliberately seek out and court business and industry that would like a presence in Louisiana. Making sure that Louisiana legacy industries that have been here all along and are taking a risk to stay here feel the same support as the “new, shiny things” do. And communicating the message that Louisiana is open for business and ready to support the next generation of our workforce.
What is the current status of the overhaul and what are the next steps?
Our entire senior leadership team was announced and in place by July 1. The next step, just as it would be in any private company, is for us to continue to assess our strategy and change any processes needed so we can be most agile. Our next big concrete step beyond that is to develop the strategic plan that will guide our work.
How will you approach the opportunities created by the upcoming Super Bowl in New Orleans?
We are treating this as Louisiana’s Super Bowl. We will have a general, all-Louisiana approach to our business messaging. We will also have a very targeted approach in our outreach, using this tremendous opportunity to showcase Louisiana as a premier destination for business investment.
How does the energy evolution work alongside the traditional oil and gas sector?
I think we make that work because of the traditional oil and gas sector. The leaders in that sector have seen opportunities in their business plans to add to their lines of work, not take from their lines of work. Our business partners have embraced an “all-of-the-above strategy,” just as LED has.
—They Said It: “We call them ‘bore and ignore contractors’ because they just bore and ignore the problems.” –Minden Mayor Nick Cox, on contractors he says are acting carelessly while installing broadband infrastructure, in The Illuminator.
Jeremy Alford publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com. Follow him on Twitter, or Facebook. He can be reached at JJA@LaPolitics.com.
