Gov. John Bel Edwards on Thursday announced that he has appointed Lafayette attorney Blake David to the Board of Regents. A founding partner of the Lafayette firm of Broussard & David, the local attorney received a bachelor of arts degree and his juris doctorate from LSU. He is serving as a representative of the 3rd Congressional District.
The Board of Regents is responsible for planning, coordinating, and budgeting for all public higher education in the state. The board administers the Louisiana Education Quality Support Fund and formulates a master plan for higher education, including a formula for the equitable distribution of funds.
“Our institutions of higher education continue to face financial challenges that make the work of the Board of Regents more critical than ever as we continue our efforts to stabilize the budget and provide more predictable funding for our colleges and universities,” Edwards said in making the announcement. “The appointees I have named to the board bring an array of professional and educational expertise from higher education institutions across Louisiana.”
The following appointments will also be effective on Jan. 1:
Darren G. Mire, of New Orleans, is the director of valuation for the Orleans Parish Assessor’s Office. Mire is a certified Louisiana deputy assessor and is a licensed real estate agent. He received a Bachelor of Science degree and a master of professional studies from Tulane. Mire will serve as a representative of the 2nd Congressional District.
W. Clinton “Bubba” Rasberry, of Shreveport, is the managing partner for Crestview Woods, Rasberry Commercial Properties and Rasberry Mineral Lands. Rasberry received a bachelor of arts degree from Vanderbilt University and did post-graduate work at Louisiana State University Forestry School. He will serve as a representative of the 4th Congressional District.
Jacqueline Vines Wyatt, of Prairieville, is the former senior vice president and regional manager for Cox Communications’ Southeast Region. Wyatt received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Redlands. She will serve as an at-large member on the board.
T. Jay Seale III, of Hammond, is an attorney and founding partner of Seale & Ross. Seale received a bachelor of arts degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and a juris doctorate from the LSU. Seale will serve as a representative of the 1st Congressional District.
Charles R. McDonald, of Sterlington, is the president and owner of CMAC & Associates and the co-owner of Freedom Mobility, and a former member of the Louisiana State House of Representatives. While a state representative, he authored the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) scholarship bill and served on the Education Committee. He received his bachelor of science degree from Northeast Louisiana College, a master of education degree from Northeast Louisiana University, and doctor of education degree from the University of Louisiana Monroe. McDonald will serve as a representative of the 5th Congressional District.