About LEAN
Board of Directors

LEAN sees our board as a source of institutional knowledge and another resource of expertise and support for the individuals and communities LEAN is working to serve. Many of LEAN's board members are community leaders who have faced environmental struggles and had the support of LEAN in the past. They, through their own experience, become an invaluable resource to inform LEAN's work moving forward and an additional support system for individuals facing new challenges. Our board also contains experts with formal educations in relevant environmental areas further expanding the capacity of the board as a resource. LEAN believes strongly in diversity and community representative leadership. The Board connects quarterly through meetings and/or phone calls while also being available as needed to contribute to appropriate situations as they arise. LEAN also works to hold annual workshops connecting the board with other community leaders across the state to facilitate support and continued knowledge sharing.

We are currently seeking new, committed leaders for our Board of Directors. If you would like to serve on LEAN's Board please contact us.

Current Board Members

Clarice Friloux

Clarice Friloux of Grand Bois in Lafourche Parish is a long-time board member who first came to LEAN over concerns with a oilfield waste disposal facility adjacent to her primarily Native American, low-income community.

When Exxon dumped more than 80 semi-trailer truck loads of waste from Alabama at the dump site she and her neighbors became sick. Her fight was the focus of a CBS hour long special hosted by Ed Bradley. She continues to lead the struggle through her community group, Guardians of our Land and Water.

Rose Jackson

Rose Jackson is a vocal activist who has been a champion for her community of Oakville and Plaquemines parish as a whole. She has a landfill in her “backyard” and she organizes and motivates her community around the issue. She is a consistent and honest community leader demanding accountability from the private companies, local officials and state regulators whose actions affect her home. You can see more of Mrs Rose in the newly released(2022) film: Iron Sharpens Iron:https://youtu.be/_useTlfzSD8

Reginald Grace

A resident of Iberville parish, Mr Grace was a multi-sport athlete and inductee of both Southern Lab and Northwestern State University Hall of Fame. Mr Grace has worked for the State Department of Education and is currently the Outreach Specialist for the Upward Bound Program at Baton Rouge Community College. The Upward Bound Program is a college preparatory academic enrichment program for high school students, ages 13-19, who share interest and aptitude for obtaining a college degree. Mr Grace has been deeply engaged in matters concerning his own community through his leadership of Citizens for a Better St. Gabriel.

Kathy Wascom

Kathy is the first woman to hold a statewide office with the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and is currently serving as 1st Vice President. Kathy serves as Vice-Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Task Force on Funding and Efficiency of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

She has represented LEAN as a legislative monitor for many years. Kathy was featured by The Baton Rouge Advocate in an article recognizing environmentally involved citizens. She also serves on the Earth Day planning committee for the city of Baton Rouge, one of the largest Earth Day celebrations in the country.

Malaika Favorite

Born in Geismar, LA, Malaika Favorite has had an accomplished career as an artist and writer. Her visual works can be found in numerous collections and her writings have won her the 2005 Louisiana Literature Prize for Poetry and the Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Award for her most recent collection of poetry: Ascension. Malaika was the first African-American student to integrate the Ascension parish highschool and carries on the legacy of her father, Amos Favorite, whose leadership was instrumental in the early years of LEAN.

Jerry Speir

Jerry Speir is a resident of New Orleans and has a private law practice there. He is a former professor at Tulane University Law School and was a member of the LEAN founding committee. Jerry says that he was active in environmental organizations in the state for more than a decade before he lost his mind and went to law school. He received his law degree from Yale University.

Mike Wascom

Mike Wascom has spent an accomplished career shaping young minds as a professor and shaping the legal environmental landscape of Louisiana through his own work. Professor Wascom received his J.D. from LSU and Master of Law from Georgetown University Law Center. Notable positions include: Congressional Affairs Specialist at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(1975-1978), Director of Louisiana Sea Grant Legal Program(1978-1998), Special Assistant Attorney General for Coastal management(1987-1989), Director of LSU Institute for Environmental Studies(1998-2001), Acting Director of LSU Coastal Fisheries Institute(1989-1991), Special Counsel for Office of the Governor for Oil Spill Coordinator's Office(2004-2011), Associate Professor in LSU Department of Environmental Sciences teaching International Environmental Law; Land Use Law; Ocean Law and Policy; Energy and Environment (1996-2011).

Ronald Grace, Sr.

Councilman Ronald Grace, Sr. is a life long resident of St. Gabriel. Mr Grace is a graduate of Sunshine High and Southern University. He is employed as an educator with the Iberville Parish School Board. Mr. Grace has been a strong advocate for smart growth and addressing health and safety issues affecting his community.

Board Members Emeritus

Florence Robinson
Florence Robinson is a retired Professor of Biology who spent many years advocating for her community that faced threats to their health due to the surrounding industry. Her tireless work made her one of the iconic leaders of the environmental justice struggles in Louisiana and earned her the Heinz Award in the Environment.

Dr. Griff Blakewood
Renewable Resource Institute
Deceased 5/2014
Dr. Griff Blakewood served as Action Head of the Department of Renewable Resources at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He had a long history of working with LEAN. Prior to his death, he was working to establish the “Discovery Trail” which is designed to connect primary and secondary school educators with opportunities to teach hands-on science in a natural setting.

Paul Ringo
Calcasieu League for Environmental Action Now (CLEAN) / Sabine Riverkeeper
Paul Ringo is a resident of Lake Charles and works as a registered nurse. Paul has spent many years as a concerned citizen working to protect the people and environment of Southwest Louisiana, particularly in Calcasieu Parish. Most recently, Paul became the official Sabine Riverkeeper, a licensed organization of the international Waterkeeper Alliance.