Landry appoints Chaisson to lead new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction

(The Center Square) − Gov. Jeff Landry announced on Tuesday the appointment of Archie Chaisson III as the first executive director of the newly created Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, a post established by Act No. 389 during the 2025 legislative session.The office — spearheaded by legislation authored by Rep. Ryan Bourriaque, R-Abbeville — is charged with reimagining how the state delivers transportation projects and exploring the privatization of certain highway construction functions.”Archie has been a dedicated public servant for Lafourche Parish, working tirelessly to answer the needs of the southeast region,” Landry said in a statement. “Working together with Secretary Ledet and the entire DOTD team, I am confident that the days of a more efficient transportation department are on the horizon.”Chaisson, a former Lafourche Parish president and longtime public official, said he’s ready to hit the ground running.”I am eager to get to work to build the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction in a way that best serves the needs of this great state,” he said.Local leaders applauded the appointment. Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller said Chaisson’s local experience will help make the office more responsive to parishes’ needs.St. Charles Parish President Matthew Jewell called the hire “a solid choice,” citing Chaisson’s “proven track record of getting things done.”Chaisson previously served as public works director for the city of Thibodaux and as parish administrator in Lafourche Parish, where he oversaw recovery efforts after the BP Oil Spill. He also leads a coalition of 20 coastal parishes under the PACE initiative and chairs two national committees focused on energy, land use and Gulf Coast issues.He begins the new role amid growing demands for more streamlined and cost-effective highway construction across Louisiana.