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Montelaro named Assistant Secretary Office of Mineral Resources
Gov. Bobby Jindal has appointed Jody Montelaro as Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Assistant Secretary Office of Mineral Resources and Secretary of the state Mineral and Energy Board.
DNR Office of Coastal Management Assistant Secretary Louis Buatt had served in the Mineral Resources post in addition to his coastal duties since early 2010. Buatt will remain with the Office of Coastal Management.
Lt. Governor Scott Angelle, chairman of the Mineral and Energy Board and former secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, said Montelaro enters the job with strong experience in the dynamic issues of energy and the management of Louisiana’s natural resources.
Montelaro, a resident of New Orleans, has been serving as senior policy advisor to Gov. Jindal on DNR, Department of Environmental Quality, Wildlife and Fisheries, Agriculture, Department of Corrections and State Police issues. Montelaro has also previously served as the Gov. Jindal’s designee on the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, formed by Jindal in 2009, and as assistant executive counsel to the Governor.
“As former secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, I saw firsthand the understanding of issues and skill set Jody possesses as the state moves forward to craft energy policies that give our people the best return for the responsible use of our natural resources, while never compromising our duty to ensure they are appropriately managed,” Angelle said. “I also appreciate Louis Buatt’s service to the state in taking on the additional responsibilities in the interim. He more than justified the confidence placed in him to capably handle the new situation and make the best use of his staff in managing the challenges presented to both offices of the department.”
DNR Secretary Bob Harper said that Buatt’s leadership in the Office of Mineral Resources gives Montelaro a staff that is ready to both support him and follow his lead on new ideas and initiatives.
“Jody’s familiarity with our department and his knowledge of its interactions will be an asset to the state not only in giving him a strong start, but in making the Office of Mineral Resources as efficient as possible in the future,” Harper said.
Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Montelaro spent several years practicing corporate litigation at the law firm of Adams and Reese, LLP, and was also chosen for and served a one-year clerkship for now-Chief Justice Catherine "Kitty" Kimball on the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Montelaro, a native of Eunice, graduated from Loyola University School of Law, where he served as law school president.