Jefferson Parish Council

The Honorable John F. Young Jr.

 

Education

Loyola University School of Law
Juris Doctor, May 1982

Loyola University
Bachelor of Public Administration, May 1979

Experience

Jefferson Parish Council January 7, 2004 - Present
Elected as Councilman-at-Large, Division A Council Chairman 2004 - 2005; 2006-2007
Goals include economic development, improving education, fiscal responsibility and uniting Jefferson Parish.

Of Counsel, Hailey, McNamara, Hall, Larmann & Papale June 2004 - Present

District Attorney, Parish of Jefferson February 1997 - January 2004
Assistant District Attorney, Chief of Administration and Chief of Parish Courts responsible for supervision of all personnel and financial aspects of the organization as well as prosecution of DWI, misdemeanor and traffic offenses parish-wide.

Attorney in Private Practice 1982 - Present

Awards

Recipient, Gambit Weekly's "Best Jefferson Parish Council Member Award" 2006
Recipient, Alliance For Good Government "Legislator of the Year Award" 2004
Recipient, Crimefighters "Outstanding Prosecutor Award" 2003
Recipient, Victims and Citizens Against Crime "Outstanding Prosecutor Award" 1998, 2001

Civic Involvement

Chairman, Governor's Vehicular Homicide - DWI Task Force 2001 - 2004
Vice-Chairman of Public Police, New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce 1999 - 2001
Board of Directors, New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce 1998 - 2000
Chairman, E.J. Council of the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce 1998 - 1999
Member, NOAPAC 1996 - 2000
Chairman, Governmental Affairs Committee of E.J. Council Executive Committee 1996 - 1997
Fellow, Jefferson Chamber Leadership Institute 1995
Fellow, Loyola University Institute of Politics 1991
Board of Directors, St. Thomas Moore Catholic Lawyers Association
Southeast Louisiana DWI Task Force
French-American Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Chapter

Professional Associations

Leadership Jefferson, Class of 2002
Louisiana State, Federal and National Law Bar Associations
Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel
Defense Research Institute
Member, Board of Directors, St. Thomas Moore Catholic Lawyers Association, 2002 - 2004
SELA DWI Task Force
Louisiana District Attorneys Association
French-American Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Chapter

Publications

Co-Author Admiralty, Fifth Circuit Symposium, 34 Loyola Law Review 699, 1989
Author, The Seaman-Handling the Everyday Problems Before Litigation, 1988 River Industry Seminar

Personal

Graduated from DeLaSalle High School, New Orleans
Father of five sons
Life-long resident of Metairie

The Honorable Michael A. Thomas

Michael A. Thomas was appointed Councilman-At-Large, Division B on April 25, 2011 to fill the unexpired term of Thomas J. Capella, who resigned to become Jefferson Parish Assessor. Councilman Thomas served as aide to Capella for more than seven years prior to his appointment.

Councilman Thomas was born in Morgan City, LA. He is a graduate of St. Stanislaus High School in Bay St. Louis, MS. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Juris Doctorate from Louisiana State University.

Councilman Thomas's public service to the citizens of Jefferson Parish includes one year as an Assistant Parish Attorney, where he worked in the Property Section, and three years as an Assistant District Attorney, where he was a criminal prosecutor.

Councilman Thomas is a managing member of Southeast Title, LLC and Michael A. Thomas, Attorney at Law, LLC. He is a member of the Beverly Knoll Civic Association and the Champions Club of New Orleans. He is the father of 6-year old John Michael Thomas and lives in Metairie.

The Honorable Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts is a lifelong resident of Jefferson Parish. He graduated from Our Lady of Holy Cross College (OLHCC) in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in Marketing. He is currently serving his firm term as Councilman At Large Division 'A' on the Jefferson Parish Council. In 1998, at the age of 21, Chris was elected to the Jefferson Parish School Board with 60% of the vote. In 2001, Chris was elected by his colleagues on the Jefferson Parish School Board to serve as the youngest School Board President in Louisiana history. On the school board he co-authored the Violence Prevention Program to teach students conflict resolution alternatives.

From January 2004 to April 2011, Councilman Roberts represented the residents of District I on the parish council. During this time the area he represented dealt with repeated disaster and subsequent recoveries as a result of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike. In addition during the summer of 2010, he was on the front lines of the BP Oil Disaster. Councilman Roberts was recognized nationally for his leadership during these events and personally met with Presidents Bush and President Obama to address the needs of residents he represented.

Councilman Roberts currently holds memberships in the Optimist Club, Louisiana Boys and Girls Club, Terrytown Civic Association, the Westbank Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club International, the Knights of Columbus Council 6870, and the Jefferson Historical Society of LA. Councilman Roberts also serves on the board of ambassadors of Our Lady of Holy Cross College, is an Honorary Member of the Terrytown Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department, and a member of the Honorary Leadership Council for the America's Energy Coast.

Aside from his public service, Chris is a partner with the Rainbow Automotive Family of GM and Chrysler dealerships and operates quick service franchises in Jefferson Parish. In 1995, Chris received the Archbishop Shaw High School Silver Eagle Award for Service. He is the recipient of the 2006 Holy Cross College Alumnus of the Year Award, the 2007 JEDCO Champion of Economic Development Award, and the 2011 AFJROTC Humanitarian Award.

Councilman Roberts' fight against blighted property led him to author the Jefferson Parish Environmental Court. This court was established to hold deadbeat slumlords accountable by use of civil and criminal penalties. Councilman Roberts works very close with the local law enforcement on crime issues and serves on the Jefferson Parish Crime Prevention and Reduction Task Force. His top priority remains seeing to completion our 100 year hurricane flood protection system from Lake Pontchartrain to the Gulf of Mexico.

Jefferson Parish is home to a very diverse culture which host the Gretna Heritage Festival, Lafitte Seafood Festival, Bridge City Gumbo Festival, International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo, Family Gras, the New Orleans Zephyrs baseball team, and the headquarters of our National Champion New Orleans Saints.

In 2008, Councilman Roberts served as the 80th President of the International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo.

The Honorable Bill Townsend

Bill Townsend was appointed Councilman District 1 on May 11, 2011 in order to fill the unexpired term of Chris Roberts. In 1988, then Councilman Ward named Bill to serve in the position of Council Aide for District 1 where he served for 19 years until his retirement in 2007. This experience and tenure has afforded Bill the knowledge and awareness to once again serve the constituents of District 1.

Councilman Townsend is a longtime resident of Jefferson Parish. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University in New Orleans. He worked in the space exploration industry and the electronic systems manufacturers' field in the New Orleans area. His accomplishments led him to positions of material and manufacturing management which spanned a period of over 25 years.

Councilman Townsend has given his service to the Terrytown Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department for over 44 years by functioning as a longtime Board Member and Treasurer. Bill has offered his religious service as an Elder and Church Treasurer for the Gretna Presbyterian Church. Bill has also participated as a longtime member of the Terrytown Civic Association.

Councilman Townsend has resided in Terrytown for over 45 years where he lives with his wife Dottie. They are blessed with two daughters' Debra and Rachel.

The Honorable Elton M. Lagasse

Elton M. Lagasse has had a distinguished career in the field of education for the past 42 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from McNeese State College, Masters Degree in Education Administration from Loyola University and received a certification in Secondary Education, Administration and Supervision from Southeastern Louisiana University.

In 1961 he began his teaching and coaching career with the Jefferson Parish Public School System at Kenner Junior High School. Elton was elected to the Jefferson Parish School Board in 1981. While serving on the School Board, he took his talents to Delgado Community College where he began as a coordinator and in 1987 was promoted to Dean. Mr. Lagasse was appointed as Superintendent of the Jefferson Parish Public School System in 1994.

In 2003, Mr. Lagasse ran for and was elected to Jefferson Parish Council District 2. In January of 2004, he began serving his term as Councilman of District 2 which encompasses areas on the East & West Banks of Jefferson Parish. And, in 2005, he was elected by his fellow Council members to serve as Vice-President of the Council, a position he held until March 2006.

The Honorable Byron L. Lee

Byron L. Lee was elected as Councilman of District 3, Jefferson Parish on November 15, 2003 and was inaugurated into office on January 7, 2004. Councilman Lee is the husband of Karen Thompson-Lee and the proud father of two sons: Jarrett and Jourdan. Councilman Lee is a graduate of West Jefferson High School and proud alumni of Southeastern Louisiana University where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing.

Councilman Lee is the owner of Maxima Group and the Managing Partner of Hometown Investment Group. He has been involved with a number of associations including: West Jefferson Levee District, Johnny Jacobs Playground, Metrovision, JEDCO and the Jefferson Business Council. Councilman Lee is also a Board Member of Thompson-Thibodeaux Community Development Corporation and Faith Academy School.

Councilman Lee is one of two Jefferson Parish Councilmembers who represent both the East and West Bank in Jefferson Parish. Councilman Lee's major initiative since he has been in office has been the institution of a parishwide Community Healthcare Network, Housing initiatives for low to moderate income families, and he is a vocal supporter of Public Transit.

The Honorable Louis J. Congemi

Louis J. Congemi is an active, lifelong resident of Kenner, Louisiana. The son of first-generation Italian-American immigrants, Louis is no stranger to dedication and hard work. At age 12 Louis began working with his father, Sam Congemi. They worked together for over twenty years in his father's shoe repair business. The business was sold in 1985.

Following his graduation from East Jefferson High School in 1967, Louis continued his education earning a bachelor's degree in education from Loyola University in 1972. He was an educator in the Jefferson Parish School System for 11 years.

In 1982, Louis was elected to the Kenner City Council. During his 14 years of service as councilman, Louis was elected four times by his fellow councilmembers as Vice President of the Council.

Louis was elected Mayor of the City of Kenner in 1996. He was re-elected in 1998 and 2002. During Louis' tenure as mayor, his administration was highlighted by numerous major accomplishments including Project Blueprint, which established a capitol budget allowing for $20 million in infrastructure improvements, Green & Growing, a beautification project credited with planting over 3,000 trees in the area, and founding Kenner City Park. In addition, his administration is credited with the Laketown expansion as well as major improvements to Rivertown.

In October of 2003, Louis J. Congemi was elected Jefferson Parish Councilman, District 4. In 2004, Louis served as Vice President of the Council. Since being elected to the Council, he has worked diligently to preserve the safety and integrity of neighborhoods, to clean up blight, to facilitate improvements to Lafreniere Park and to improve infrastructure and flood protection.

Councilman Louis J. Congemi has been elected eight times to public office serving his community since 1982. He is a member and a past grand marshal of the Louisiana Irish-Italian Association and a founding member of the City of Kenner's Italian Heritage Festival.

Louis is married to Mildred Zorick and is the father of a son, Louis Congemi, Jr., and a daughter, Debbie Congemi.

The Honorable Cynthia Lee-Sheng

Cynthia Lee-Sheng was elected by the constituents of District 5 in a special election held in April 2009, after the resignation of Councilwoman Jennifer Sneed. Cynthia comes to the Jefferson Parish Council with a strong background in fraud prevention and forensic accounting, as well as, 10 years of service as a federal officer with the Department of Justice. Her unique skill set makes her well equipped to handle the business of the Parish.

Cynthia Lee-Sheng was born and raised in District 5 and attended St. Angela Merici Grammar School and Mount Carmel Academy for High School. After graduating from Loyola University, she moved to Washington D.C. where she received her Master's Degree in Public Administration from George Washington University. As a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, she went on to work for 10 years, in five different states, for the U.S. Department of Justice. After moving back home to Jefferson Parish, Cynthia became a CPA and served as Manager of Litigation and Forensic Consulting at Laporte Sehrt Romig Hand. Cynthia was also a Certified Fraud Examiner and a director of the New Orleans Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Aside from using her business skills as a forensic CPA to ensure that tax dollars are well spent and put to the best use possible, Councilwoman Lee-Sheng works tirelessly to make sure Jefferson Parish continues to be an economic engine for this region by attracting new families and businesses. Her grandfather was one of the very first business owners in the district, establishing the House of Lee Restaurant in 1957 on Veterans and Causeway Boulevard. This is one of the reasons that the future of the area nearby, commonly referred to as "Fat City" is so near and dear to her heart. The Councilwoman is an active member on the Fat City Task Force created to address its revitalization and well planned growth.

Cynthia is the daughter of Lai Lee and the late Sheriff Harry Lee who instilled in her a strong commitment to public service. Public service is an honor and responsibility that she works hard at and does with integrity. She has served on the Board of Directors for Crimestoppers, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Louisiana Children's Bureau where she also served as treasurer.

Cynthia is married to Stewart Sheng. They are blessed with two children, Gavin and Miranda and live in Metairie.