Served on School Board 18 years

By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – St. Charles Parish President Albert Laque has named a new planning director for their Planning and Zoning Department.

Former St. Charles School Board member, Michael Henderson of Luling, is enthusiastic about his new role.

&#8220I’m really looking forward to the job, &#8220 Henderson said. &#8220I’m retired from Dow Chemical, and this is a good way to still be involved in the community.”

Although Henderson is new to the job, don’t be expecting any major changes, he said.

&#8220The staff we have here really knows what they’re doing. I’m just here to make sure it all functions as one cohesive unit,” Henderson said.

Henderson holds a degree in business administration with more than 30 years working in the private sector and an additional 20 years in the public sector. He also served as a member of the St. Charles Parish School Board from 1980 to 1998

Henderson believes his all-around knowledge will be an invaluable asset to the planning department.

&#8220I can’t identify one single criteria that would make me a good candidate, &#8220Henderson said. &#8220But I will bring a lot of knowledge from both the private and public sectors.”

Henderson is replacing Phillip Dufrene who relinquished the post on Dec. 30. Henderson said his salary should be in the $60,000 range, as was Dufrene’s.