From the Top | Reggie Dupre Jr. – The Times of Houma/Thibodaux

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Executive Director, Terrebonne Levee & Conservation District

Tell me about your work:

What is the best part of your job?

Assuring that future generations of Terrebonne Parish citizens will have a safe place to live.

What is the hardest?

Not knowing what will happen for our next major hurricane.

Is there anything new on the horizon?

After 36 years of public service (23 as an elected official and the past 13 years as the director of the levee district), I plan on retiring in late 2024. Contrary to some rumors, I will not be a candidate for Parish President of Terrebonne in 2023.

What’s one leadership skill you feel everyone must learn?

Coming to common ground on solving our nation, state, and parish’s problems. As an elected official, I aways tried to understand why other officials were not in agreement with my position. More often than not, we were able to work out our differences and come to a compromise. Compromise is no longer an acceptable term for many leaders. But, compromise is how the founding fathers built our form of government here in the USA. The alternative is governing by extremist views. That is only one step away from a dictatorship.

Tell me about yourself:

As a child, what did you see yourself doing as a career?

I am a native of Pointe-aux-Chenes on the Terrebonne/Lafourche boundary. I was a very shy introvert as a child. I never dreamed I would be considered a leader of anything. But, my growing up in Pointe-aux-Chenes is the most important qualification in my job. I saw my native homeland change because of wetland losses and increasing vulnerability to hurricane tidal surges. I knew something had to be done. That is why sustainability and survivability of coastal communities has always been my number one priority.

What was your very first job?

My first job was working as a part time patrolman for the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office while I was at LSU.

What time do you wake up and how do you start your day?

I generally wake up at about 6 a.m. I check and respond to emails while having coffee. About once or twice a week, I have a long conversation before 7 a.m. with Parish President Dove to discuss our ongoing projects.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

My wife, Yvonne. She’s been my soul mate for the past 30 years.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Traveling and RV Camping.

Favorites/This or that:

Favorite food:

Ribeye steak, medium, with grilled onions

Favorite vacation spot:

My favorite place I’ve been to is Yellowstone National Park. I like seeing new places. We just recently purchased a motorhome and want to see as much of the USA as we can during retirement.