Louisiana DEQ Secretary makes three executive staff appointments

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Chuck Carr Brown recently made three appointments to his executive staff: Office of Management and Finance Undersecretary Karyn Andrews, Office of Environmental Compliance Assistant Secretary Lourdes Iturralde and Confidential Advisor to the Secretary Bijan Sharafkhani.

“These three people — Karyn, Bijan and Lourdes — represent 73 years of experience in environmental fields,” Brown said. “They have been and will continue to be assets to DEQ. I am proud to have them on my executive staff.”

Andrews is a 23-year veteran of state governmental accounting and has been living in Baton Rouge since attending Louisiana State University, where she attained a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Her new position will see her working with the department’s budget, personnel and contracts, among other operational items.

Iturralde has a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Louisiana State University and a master’s in the same field from Texas A&M. She has been working in the enforcement program with the DEQ for 20 years, and will continue to oversee those activities in her new role, as well as inspections, emergency responses, remediation and environmental assessments.

Sharafkhani, who transitioned into the public sector from an engineering consultancy 24 years ago, brings 30 years of experience to his new position, including 16 years with the DEQ’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Division and eight years as a DEQ administrator overseeing the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Program. As the confidential advisory to the secretary, Sharafkhani will consult with Brown and provide administrative support.