Office of Conservation

DNR staff appointments named

State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary Scott Angelle announced today the appointment of three members of his executive staff.

Robert D. Harper, Marjorie McKeithen, and James H. Welsh have returned to top positions they previously held with the department.

Robert Harper, Undersecretary, Office of Management and Finance, has served in this position since 1992. He will continue general supervision of the department’s $180 million budget. Prior to working at DNR, he worked 20 years in the Division of Administration, Office of Planning and Budget. Harper recently headed up the implementation of a department-wide disaster recovery plan ensuring that vital business processes would resume within 48 hours in case of a disaster. He has worked in 35 consecutive budget cycles of state government.

Marjorie McKeithen, State Mineral Board Secretary and Assistant Secretary Office of Mineral Resources, began serving at DNR in October 2006. McKeithen oversees the administrative functions of oil and gas leasing in the state. As Secretary of the Mineral Board, she works with an eleven-member group appointed by the governor to grant and execute mineral leases on state-owned land and water bottoms, encompassing over 7 million acres in the state. Over the last year, she has aggressively marketed Louisiana to the industry, instituted an online, web-based system of nominating tracts for bidding, and has seen Louisiana through its best oil and gas royalty year in the state’s history.

James H. Welsh, Commissioner of Conservation, Office of Conservation, serves as head of the oil and gas regulatory and environmental programs of the agency. Welsh, a geologist who has 35-plus years in government service, was the chief geologist and division director before being chosen Commissioner in 2002. In past years, Welsh led a select group charged with developing the environmental portions of the Statewide Order 29-B. He is currently focused on shaping the oilfield ‘Legacy’ rules and serves as the state’s top representative on the nation’s Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.

“It is fitting to announce these appointments during Public Service Week, because this talented group has years of cumulative knowledge and proven successes. Together, we intend to continue the work already begun and make more improvements along the way,” Angelle said.