Rex Caffey

The LSU AgCenter employs the most widespread workforce of university employees in Louisiana, with nearly 1,000 faculty and staff domiciled in academic departments, centers, labs, experiment stations and offices in 64 parishes. More than 300 of these individuals have appointments in the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (LCES), with 194 field agents working in three program areas: Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), Nutrition and Community Health (NCH) and Youth Development (4-H).

The Marine Extension Program (MEP), a subset of ANR, is composed of 14 agents and specialists jointly supported by land-grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Sea Grant funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Established in 1968, the MEP has been successful in replicating the land-grant extension model in a coastal setting. The Sea Grant version of this model has evolved over the past 50 years. While the program maintains a strong commitment to natural fisheries, outreach has expanded to address needs in aquaculture, water quality, wetlands, resource conservation and natural hazard resiliency.

Despite this broadened portfolio, marine extension has been undergoing a generational transition. In the past decade, a spate of retirements has led to a 50% turnover in personnel, with five new hires in the last three years alone. Filling these positions has required balancing the dual needs for innovation and continuity, but maintaining the team’s reputation for science-based engagement has been the overriding goal.

An example of this challenge came in March 2024 when agent Kevin Savoie retired after 34 years of marine extension work in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes. Like his predecessor, Paul Coreil, Savoie spent time in the region engaging with hundreds of constituents, including commercial and recreational fishermen, farmers, processors, landowners, ports, developers, the energy sector, state and federal resource managers, local governments, researchers, volunteer groups, environmentalists and students.

Looking back at the most important aspects of his career, Savoie concludes that it all comes down to one word — trust.

“There is a tremendous opportunity to help people in this job, but we’re often pressured to take sides on resource-use conflicts,” he said. “Our role is to provide the best available information on matters of science and policy and to do so without bias or advocacy.”

Interpersonal skills are another key aspect required for extension programming, and Savoie’s ability to connect with people has been a big part of his success. Upon his retirement, constituents described Savoie as “the quintessential marine agent” with “a gift for working with all demographics from large landowners to commercial fishermen” and “someone who found common ground with everyone.”

Of course, it didn’t hurt that Savoie, a biologist by training, was born and raised in Cameron Parish and was an avid outdoorsman with a deep understanding of the region’s natural resources and culture. Given his knowledge, he was frequently sought out by scientists and managers less familiar with the landscape and waterways of the Chenier coastal plain.

During a 2007 stock assessment with state fisheries biologists, Savoie invited a local high school student he was mentoring to tag along. Eighteen years later, that student would apply for Savoie’s former position.

In January 2025, after a national search, Jordan Poole was hired as the third marine extension agent for Cameron and Calcasieu parishes since the Marine Extension Program began. Like Savoie, Poole is a native of Cameron Parish and an avid outdoorsman and holds a deep appreciation for the people and resources of his region.

“As a baseball coach of mine from T-ball to kid pitch, Mr. Kevin’s position with Sea Grant was fascinating to me,” Poole said. “I chose him as a career mentor in high school, and he graciously accepted. As I network and familiarize myself with the programs Sea Grant is involved with, I am learning exactly how much impact he has had on our community and its natural resources through the Marine Extension Program. It’s an honor to continue his efforts as part of the Sea Grant team.”

Savoie describes Poole as a natural fit for the position.

“Jordan grew up in Grand Lake. He was involved in sports and 4-H, but his real passion was natural resources, ecology and outdoor activities,” Savoie said. “He has a good understanding of ecosystem functions and the coastal Chenier Plain. He never met a stranger and can strike up a conversation with anyone he meets — an important quality for extension work.”

The changing of the guard from Kevin Savoie to Jordan Poole is just one of many stories of program succession playing out across marine extension and the broader LCES network. And while applicants for these positions come from a variety backgrounds, new hires all share a common trait — a genuine commitment to honest engagement and public service.

Rex Caffey is a professor of natural resource economics at LSU and has a joint appointment with the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Sea Grant College Program, where he is the director of marine extension.

This article appears in the fall 2025 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.

Jordan Poole was hired as the marine extension agent for Cameron and Calcasieu parishes. Photo provided by Louisiana Sea Grant

Kevin Savoie rides on a boat while working as a Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter agent. Photo provided by Kevin Savoie

Jordan Poole, who became a Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter agent in 2024, replaced Kevin Savoie, who retired after 34 years of service. Photo provided by Jordan Poole

Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter agent Kevin Savoie coached Jordan Poole, who would later succeed him in his post, in youth baseball. Photo provided by Jordan Poole