225-572-1916
1632 Hope Drive, Marrero, LA, 70072,
Jennifer L. Marusak was named the executive director of the Ports Association of Louisiana in October 2018.In addition to joining the association management team, Marusak leads PAL's governmental affairs and lobbying efforts. She is also tasked with partnering with the local port representatives to implement an effective grassroots strategy that will showcase Louisiana ports to the Legislature and community stakeholders. Marusak earned the designation of Certified Port Executive in 2018. Marusak was previously vice president of governmental affairs for the Louisiana State Medical Society (LSMS). In that role, she headed the lobbying and grassroots advocacy efforts for more than 7,000 physicians across the state and served as the executive director for LAMPAC, the political arm of the LSMS.Upon Governor John Bel Edwards' appointments, Marusak also previously served on the Workers' Compensation Advisory Council and the Prescription Monitoring Program Advisory Council.She also owns and operates On Track with Marusak, the longest operating online news clipping service in the state.The Natchitoches native holds a bachelor of art's degree in criminal justice and a master's degree in mass communication from the University of Louisiana-Monroe (formerly Northeast Louisiana University). Previously, Marusak was the spokesperson and chief lobbyist for Driving Louisiana Forward, a coalition of business organizations across Louisiana advocating for better intermodal infrastructure. She also formerly served as confidential assistant, press secretary and legislative affairs director for both Secretary of State Al Ater and Secretary of State Fox McKeithen, executive director of the Louisiana River Pilots Association, legislative affairs director and communications director for former Governor Mike Foster, and as government and infrastructure vice president and communications director for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce. Jennifer also served on the Louisiana State Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Board of Directors for 13 years, two of those as chair.
20+ years
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
PORTS ASSOCIATION OF LOUISIANA: Baton Rouge, LA
Executive Director
October 2018 - present
Assumes a primary role in the day-to-day operations, planning and programming and use of association resources in governmental relations and association management for the Ports Association of Louisiana (PAL). Primary legislative and media contact for PAL and will work to form and implement a Political Action Committee for PAL. Provides an interface with other maritime organizations, government entities, elected officials and the general public as required to share information and ideas, pursue common goals and develop solutions to problems as well as explore future opportunities which benefits PAL.
ON TRACK WITH MARUSAK: Baton Rouge, LA
Owner. Owns and operates Louisiana's statewide email news clipping service, subscribed to by lobbyists, members of the business community, government, civic and statewide good government organizations.
January 2004 - present
LOUISIANA STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY: Baton Rouge, LA
Vice President of Governmental Affairs
Executive Director - LAMPAC - Political Action Committee of LSMS
2010, 2011 Louisiana Legislative Sessions, August 2011 - September 2018
Was in charge of all legislative activities and media point of contact. Presented written, oral and PowerPoint legislative updates to membership around the state. Primary contact on all legislative issues including, but not limited to, workers' compensation, insurance, scope of practice, funding, Medicaid and medical malpractice. Worked with physician leadership on fundraising for LAMPAC and made recommendations to LAMPAC board on contributions.
CONSULTANT: Baton Rouge, LA
Lobbyist and Public Relations Consultant - Driving Louisiana Forward
In primary role, served as communications and legislative affairs director for Driving Louisiana Forward. In that role, served as the spokesperson for the DLF campaign, giving presentations to legislative, civic, business and media groups across the state. Garnered grassroots, media and legislative support, crossing political, geographic and racial lines. Generated paid and free media opportunities.
Also lobbied on a number of other issues for a variety of clients, including the telecommunications, health care, insurance and tort reform industries.
January 2007 - August 2011
Consultant
Consultant for several state agencies to assist in building their legislative affairs departments.
2008-09
SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE: Baton Rouge, LA
Confidential Assistant/Press Secretary. Responsible for all media and legislative communications for the office which oversees the state's elections, commercial division, archives, and the Secretary of State's Museum Program. Served as spokesperson for the office and the Secretary of State. Represented the Secretary of State at legislative and political functions.
January 2005 - December 2006
LOUISIANA RIVER PILOTS ASSOCIATION: Baton Rouge, LA
Executive Director. Responsible for coordination of lobbying activities and public relations for the association - which consists of all four trade associations. Also charged with traveling the state educating the public and elected officials on the industry. Represented association at various political and community functions, served as spokesperson for the group and coordinated LRPA conventions.
January 2004 - December 2004
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Legislative Affairs Director. Governor's primary liaison with the Louisiana Legislature. Responsible for grassroots, legislative and internal communications. Charged with traveling the state, speaking to various civic and business groups to garner support for Governor M.J. "Mike' Foster, Jr.'s initiatives. Also represents the Governor at various functions throughout the state.
August 2002 - January 2004
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Communications Director. Responsible for grassroots, legislative and internal communication. Majority of time spent traveling the state, speaking to various civic and business groups to garner support for Governor M.J. "Mike' Foster, Jr.'s initiatives. Responsible for coordinating and creating policy messages and Governor Foster's columns and speeches for all audiences. Also represented the Governor at various functions throughout the state.
October 2000 - August 2002
MONROE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Monroe, Louisiana
Government & Infrastructure Vice President. Served as head of the Chamber's overall government relations and transportation and infrastructure efforts, which was under contract as the lobbying arm for the city and parish governments. Spent significant time in the state legislature and working with the Chamber's Washington, D.C. consulting firm. Coordinated the Chamber's Washington, D.C. lobbying trips and interfaced daily with the Louisiana legislative delegation, state agencies, Monroe City Council, Ouachita Parish Police Jury and Ouachita Council of Governments. Responsible for tracking and cataloging all state and federal legislative action and transportation and infrastructure funding opportunities while preparing regional legislative proposals and lobbying materials and testifying before legislative committees as necessary.
December 1999 - October 2000
MONROE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Monroe, Louisiana
Communications Director. Created and implemented publicity campaigns for all Chamber programs and events. Maintained beneficial working relationship with elected officials. Responsible for tracking and cataloging all state and federal legislative action and transportation and infrastructure funding opportunities while preparing regional legislative proposals and lobbying materials and testifying before legislative committees as necessary. Charged with editing, writing and designing all Chamber publications, including award-winning brochures, Annual Membership Directory and Buyer's Guide, Annual Report to the Community, quarterly magazines, promotional posters, weekly Chamber updates, direct mail-outs, advertisements and news releases. Served as media spokesman for the organization, which includes 1,100 member businesses and serves some 150,000 in the Monroe-metropolitan area.
February 1998 - December 1999; acting until July 2000
CENTURYTEL: Monroe, Louisiana
Communications Specialist. Writer and editor for a variety of company publications. Coordinated employee involvement in special fundraising projects and company involvement in community's Adopt-a-School program. Provided writing and editing for company's financial, employee and marketing communication.
April 1997 - February 1998
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY
SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE: Monroe, Louisiana
Assistant Sports Information Director. Responsibilities included writing game advances, game-day stories and feature articles and writing, designing and editing media guides and game programs. Responsible for coordinating all players' and coaches' interviews, running Statman and Automated Scorebook statistics program for basketball, football and softball.
September 1995 - April 1997
EDUCATION:
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY: Monroe, Louisiana
Master of Arts, August 1996
Major: Mass Communication with an emphasis in public relations
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY: Monroe, Louisiana
Bachelor of Arts, May 1994
Major: Criminal Justice
Minors: Journalism, Psychology, Sociology
NATCHITOCHES CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL: Natchitoches, Louisiana
Graduated: May 1990
