Past Speakers + Topics

Politics as a Profession

  • Kathleen Blanco – Governor
  • Ray Nagin – Mayor of New Orleans
  • Marc Morial – Mayor of New Orleans
  • Moon Landrieu – Mayor of New Orleans
  • Mitch Landrieu – Mayor of New Orleans
  • William Jefferson – US Congressman
  • Harry Lee – Jefferson Parish Sheriff
  • Tim Coulon – Jefferson Parish President
  • John Hainkel – Speaker of State House of Rep. & President of State Senate
  • Ed Murray – State Senator

Jefferson Parish Political Scene

  • Aaron Broussard – Former Jefferson Parish President
  • Tim Coulon – Former Jefferson Parish President
  • John Hainkel – Speaker of State House of Rep. & President of State Senate
  • Harry Lee – Jefferson Parish Sheriff
  • Jennifer Snead – Jefferson Parish Councilwomen
  • John Young – Jefferson Parish President

Politics and the Law

  • Jim Bernazanni – Special Agent in Charge – FBI
  • Bob Cerasoli – Inspector General of New Orleans
  • Jim Letten – US Attorney – Eastern District of Louisiana

Real Political Experiences & Role of Professional Staff

  • Bill Broadhurst – Political Consultant
  • Garret Graves – Dir. Of Coastal Affairs, Gov. Bobby Jindal
  • Gary Hymel – Chief of Staff for Tip O’Neill/Lobbyist
  • Stephen Waguespack – Policy Director, Gov. Bobby Jindal

Campaign Management/Consulting

  • Raymond Blanco – Husband, Consultant for Governor Kathleen Blanco
  • James Carville – CNN Contributor & Campaign Mgr for 1992 Pres. Election Bill Clinton
  • Bill Schultz – Long-Time Political Consultant

Campaign Media

  • Greg Buisson – Media Consultant and Owner, Buisson Creative
  • James Farwell – Media Consultant
  • Roy Fletcher – Media & Political Consultant
  • Ray Teddlie – Media Consultant

Polling & Political Ecology

  • Dr. Ed Renwick – Pollster & Past Director of IOP

Louisiana’s Unique Political Culture

  • Jerry Doty – Racontouer
  • Dr. Wayne Parent – Chair, Political Science Department at LSU

Grassroots Campaigning

  • Quentin Dastugue – Former State Rep
  • Walt Leger III – State Representative
  • JP Morrell – State Senator
  • Sandy Rosenthal - Levees.org

Covering Louisiana Politics

  • Frank Donze – Times Picayune Political Reporter
  • Clancy Dubos – Owner, Gambit Weekly & WWL Commentator
  • John Maginnis – Author & Columnist, La. Political Fax Weekly

State and Local Economy & Its Impact on Politics

  • Dr. Tim Ryan – Chancellor, University of New Oreans

Lobbying

  • C.B. Forgotston
  • Kel Villarrubia
  • Jim Nickel

Election Results & Demography

  • Greg Rigamer - CEO, GCR & Associates

Impact of Talk Radio/Internet on Politics

  • Jeff Crouere – WGNO Commentator & Host of Ringside Politics
  • Garland Robinette – Host of the “Think Tank” – WWL Radio

New Orleans Politics & the Changing Electorate

  • Ron Nabonne – Political Consultant & Attorney

Environmental Politics

  • Dr. Bob Thomas - Loyola Chair in Environmental Communications

Press Conference Prep

  • Stephanie Grace – Columnist, Times Picayune
  • Allan Katz – Host, Louisiana Newsmaker

Campaign Finance

  • Dale Atkins – Orleans Parish, Clerk of Court
  • Fred Hermanm - Attorney

Campaign Fundraising

  • Ginger Sawyer – Vice President, Political Action - LABI

Citizen Movements Post Katrina

  • Ruthie Frierson – Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans
  • Anne Milling – Women of the Storm
  • Sandy Rosenthal - Levees.org