April 02, 2009
The Obama Administration has named 1992 Tulane Law School alum Janet L. Woodka the new federal coordinator for Gulf Coast Recovery rebuilding. The appointment of Woodka was announced Tuesday, March 31, 2009, by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. A news release from Homeland Security said Woodka would report directly to Napolitano and have a direct line of communication to the White House.
Woodka, a former legislative director for Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., has been working as the recovery office's director of legislative affairs under the previous coordinators, Donald Powell, who left the job early last year and Doug O’Dell, a retired Marine Corps Reserve Major General, who stepped down early this year.
The appointment drew support from Landrieu.
“I am confident that Janet Woodka understands the needs of the Gulf Coast and the priorities of the Louisiana delegation,” Landrieu said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon. "She has been a steady hand to both previous Federal Coordinators, and she has a commitment to the people of Louisiana and a passion for our recovery.
“She will utilize her expertise on disaster recovery issues and work with our partners at the Louisiana Recovery Authority to help our region rebuild.”