Billy Nungesser has politics in his blood, hospitality in his soul and a deep love for Louisiana and its people in his heart. Those passions have made him a vibrant, effective lieutenant governor.
A frequent visitor to Natchitoches and a relentless advocate for tourism here and across the state, Nungesser has been a major force in the growth of travel-related activities in Louisiana in recent years.
Those numbers about the increase in visitors to the state, tourism spending and the economic impact of the travel industry are etched in his mind, and he shares them with anybody that will listen.
He points out that Louisiana had 51 million visitors in 2018, up by 9 percent from the previous year, and that tourists spent $19 billion in the state. That was a 7.6 percent increase.
All those visitors from across the nation and world supported more than 238,000 jobs in Louisiana and generated $1.9 billion in state and local taxes.
As lieutenant governor, Nungesser heads the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and oversees Louisiana parks and museums in addition to other responsibilities.
He has established a high profile by traveling around the nation and world promoting Louisiana’s unique food, music and cultures as part of the state’s award-winning “Feed Your Soul” slogan to attract visitors.
Lieutenant governors in other states are apparently impressed by Nungesser’s success in bolstering Louisiana’s economy through tourism. They elected him this year as chairman of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.
Nungesser grew up on the west bank of New Orleans and spent much of his life in Plaquemines Parish on the Gulf Coast 300 miles from here. But his passion for tourism has created a close bond between the lieutenant governor and Natchitoches.
He was here last week for activities commemorating the 30th anniversary of the release of the Steel Magnolias movie that was filmed in Natchitoches and at Northwestern.
That was one of many visits by Nungesser since he was first elected lieutenant governor four years ago. He also remembers coming to Christmas Festivals here with his parents as a youngster and being dazzled by the lights, fireworks and beauty of the town.
Nungesser has directed extensive support and attention to the city and university. Funds in his budget to promote Louisiana seafood were allocated to Northwestern for its annual Flavor of Louisiana fund-raising event.
That popular program which attracts hundreds of participants each year focuses on the excellence of Louisiana seafood and has generated more than $150,000 for scholarships at the university.
Nungesser touts Natchitoches in numerous appearances across the state and nation as an outstanding tourist destination and as a great “staycation” site for Louisiana folks to spend a few days.
To emphasize that point, Nungesser, his wife Cher and his in-laws came here a few years ago for a “staycation.” He said they toured historic sites, had good food and went fishing at Toledo Bend The ladies spent three hours at Kaffie-Fredericks Hardware.
In recognition of his support for Northwestern and Natchitoches, the university has honored Nungesser with its prestigious Nth Degree and as an initial recipient of its “Hospitalitarian Award” for contributions to the state’s hospitality industries.
Nungesser, whose political popularity is reflected in his election last month to a second term with nearly 70 percent of the vote, grew up around government and politics.
His dad William Nungesser was chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party and a delegate to state and national GOP conventions. His cousin Sally Nungesser has been active in Republican Party initiatives, and Billy served on state boards and commissions in his twenties.
Billy has also been successful in business. He worked for years with his family’s offshore catering operations and later developed a multi-million dollar business providing portable living facilities for the oil and gas industry.
But his involvement in the response to Hurricane Katrina created the impetus and desire to jump into politics and government service.
He was elected Plaquemines Parish President in 2006 and re-elected in 2010 with 71 percent of the vote, winning favorable attention for his role in addressing problems created by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
As lieutenant governor, Nungesser’s primary focus has shifted from emergency response to tourism and travel promotion and economic development.
That has been beneficial to Natchitoches, one of his favorite places for “staycations” and other personal and political visits.
REPRINTED FROM THE NATCHITOCHES TIMES