Improving Quality of Life
Upgrading Aging Infrastructure

Mark Drewes, Jefferson Parish, Public Works

Thanks to GNOEA member George Messing, Owner Messina’s Catering, for hosting this week’s networking event for GNOEA members at the The Basin St. Station!

Mr. Drewes is the Parish’s Public Works Director overseeing eight departments (Capital Projects, Drainage, Engineering, Environmental, Parkways, Sewerage, Streets, Water) with roughly 1,200 employees. Mark Drewes, a lifetime resident of Jefferson Parish, graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 1982, graduated from the University of New Orleans with a Master of Science Degree in Structural Engineering in 1990, and has been a licensed Professional Engineer for thirty-seven years. Currently, Mr. Drewes is a member of the following organizations: American Public Works Association (APWA), Louisiana Parish Engineers and Supervisors Association (LPESA), Jefferson Parish Technical Evaluation Committee, and the Regional Planning Commission’s Technical Advisory Committee.

Mr. Drewes stated that most of Jefferson Parish’s water pipeline infrastructure was put in place in the 1950’s and is rapidly aging. He spoke about the Parish’s 20 year, $792 million dollar Parish wide main line replacement program. Jefferson Parish has a 2022 Water Bond Program to rehabilitate 11 water towers parish wide for $15 million, 3 of which have been completed. Drewes stated the 2022 Water Bond Program will also replace approx. 160,000 manual water meters with advance metering infrastructure which will allow utility staff to access data usage and improve utility efficiency. The Parish has a 2022 Sewer Bond Program the will add generators to 15 regional sewer lift stations by 2026 which will also have a Scada system that will monitor the pumps performance. Drews informed the membership that the 2017 Sewer Bond Program that was approved for 81 lift stations has 68 of them completed. There are major drainage projects that are currently out for bid at Airline Dr. at the 17th St. Canal, W. Esplanade Ave pump station, and Elmwood at Mounes St. In Kenner by the Treasure Chest, Jefferson parish is currently bidding to build an Amphitheater. Drewes stated that Jefferson Parish is applying for state matching funds to be used with the American Rescue Plan Act funds to do improvements at the Alario Center, Shrine on Airline, and at Hope Haven Campus.

Mark Drewes Bio

Please click here to view Mark Drewes presentation.

Membership

If you have a prospect, please have them connect with Jacquie Bonano, membership chair at membership@gnoea.com.

Thank You & Announcements

Duaine Duffy welcomed new member Brittany Orlando – First Onsite Property Restoration, a residential and commercial restoration and remediation company, referred by Jacquie Bonano, JB Communications.

Bobby Ramsey, Ramsey’s Diamond Jewelers, thanked Kevin Hebert, St. Charles Printing, for his help with printing and sending postcards.

Julie Couret, Couret Leadership Lab, thanked Marcus Azzarello, Franklynn Pest Control, for coming to her new house and treating her home.

Q3 2024 dues reminder.

Upcoming Meeting Schedule

  • Sept 3– Happy Labor Day- no meeting
  • Sept 10- Jay Cicero, Super Bowl, President/CEO, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation
  • Sept 17- Andrew Legrand, Spera Law Group LLC – Legal Update – Board meeting to follow
  • Sept 24- Allstate Sugar Bowl, Jeff Hundley, CEO
  • October 1- No meeting
  • October 8 – New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, Sandra Lombana Lindquist, president
  • October 15 – Matt Jewell, St. Charles Parish President – Board meeting to follow
  • October 22 – Daniel Hammer, President/CEO Historic New Orleans Collection
  • October 29- No meeting- Happy Halloween!

Check website for updates and bulletins that include upcoming events. Meeting events are on the calendar. Speaker suggestions: contact Program Chairman, Glenn Landrum, glenn@magelland.com.