Louisiana Governor-Elect Names Key Staff Members

SHREVEPORT, LA - Governor-Elect Jeff Landry has selected several more members of his executive team. He made the choice known during a news conference today in Monroe.

Who Takes Over at Department of Health?

Former Congressman, Dr. Ralph Abraham has been selected to be the new Secretary of the Department of Health.  The 30 year doctor has seen the health care challenges facing our state and is prepared to deal with those challenges head on.

Who Will Lead Wildlife and Fisheries?

Madison Sheahan has been named the secretary of this department. Landry said she would be the first female secretary of the department. But KEEL News has learned (thanks to the reporting of Vickie Welborn at KTBS) that Virginia Burkett of DeSoto Parish was actually the first woman to head that department. She was appointed to the post in 1998 by Buddy Roemer. Sheahan has been charged with reshaping and rebranding this department. Landry says "this department is in need of leadership and true reform." Sheahan is a former staffer of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and is a former executive director of the South Dakota Republican Party.

Who Will Lead Department of Children and Family Services?

Judge David Matlock will serve as the secretary of the DCFS. Matlock has served as a Juvenile Court Judge in Caddo Parish since 1994 and Chief Judge since 1999. He recently retired from the bench. He also served on the Caddo School Board prior to being elected to the bench. Landry says "I don’t believe the state of Louisiana does a good job raising our children. It is time to make this a priority."

Landry will be sworn in as Governor on January 8 and he wants his team ready to hit the ground running and get to work.