Melancon tapped as new LDWF secretary

Governor-Elect Edwards announces key cabinet posts Wednesday afternoon

Former U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon has been named the new secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, according to news reports.

Governor-elect Jon Bel Edwards made the announcement Wednesday afternoon in Baton Rouge.

Melancon, a Napoleonville Democrat, served in the House of Representatives representing Louisiana’s 3rd congressional district from 2005 to 2011, before an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate against David Vitter in 2010.

According to his Linked In page, he is currently a realtor with Real Estate America.

In January, he will replace Robert Barham, who was appointed to the post by Gov. Bobby Jindal in 2008.