As director of BTNEP since 1991, he succeeded in developing a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan for the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuarine Complex. The plan signed by Governor Foster this past July is now awaiting final approval by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A native of Covington, Mathies earned his masters degree in biology from Northwestern State University in 1978 and his doctoral degree from Mississippi State University in 1981. The majority of his career has been as a biologist and natural resources specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

As environmental quality specialist for Jefferson parish in the early `80s, Mathies worked to enforce environmental pollution control laws and regulations and also provided biological expertise to the parish and to service contractors. Secretary Caldwell said Mathies' experience and outstanding communications skills will serve well in the office he will head.

Mathies joined the DNR executive staff effective October 28. The deputy secretary's position had not been filled since the past administration.

Mathies is a life-long resident of Louisiana, and he and his wife, Linda Glenboski Mathies are residents of New Orleans. He has two children.