Louisiana DEQ Experiences Leadership Shakeup with Hoggatt’s Exit

News Summary

Noah Hoggatt has resigned as executive counsel of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality after less than a year. His departure sparks concerns about the leadership climate, as this marks at least seven executive exits since Secretary Aurelia Giacometto’s appointment. Public dissatisfaction with Giacometto’s management, including reports of a toxic workplace culture, amplifies worries about the future direction of LDEQ. Despite these high-level changes, overall employee turnover remains relatively low at 10%.

Louisiana DEQ Faces High-Level Shuffle as Executive Counsel Noah Hoggatt Resigns

In a surprising turn of events, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) is seeing quite the *shakeup at the top* as Noah Hoggatt, the agency’s executive counsel, has stepped down after less than a year in his role. This news comes as part of a larger trend of notable departures under the leadership of Secretary Aurelia Giacometto.

The Resignation Details

Hoggatt’s resignation became effective on March 11, following an email he sent to colleagues on March 10, where he shared that he would be moving into a federal position. The State Civil Service Commission confirmed his departure, but what sparked conversation was the *swift nature* of this exit. Despite attempts to reach Hoggatt for further comments, he has remained silent, leaving many wondering about the reasons behind such a quick transition.

The LDEQ communications office suggested reaching out to Giacometto for insights, but she too has not provided any feedback. This adds an element of mystery to the waves being made within the agency.

Trends of Departure

Hoggatt’s decision to leave is not an isolated incident. In fact, this marks just one of at least seven executive departures from the department since Giacometto’s appointment by Governor Jeff Landry in January 2024. That’s quite a big number in such a short timeframe, leading many to question the *current climate* inside LDEQ.

Giacometto, who previously led the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service during the Trump administration, has faced considerable scrutiny as employees publicly express their discontent with her leadership style, particularly after a workplace culture survey spearheaded by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. This survey revealed that nearly half of the employees surveyed, a total of 377, hold negative views of Giacometto’s leadership, with approximately one-third describing the work environment as *“toxic.”* Even more concerning, a similar proportion reported experiencing or witnessing *retaliation* in the workplace.

A Closer Look at Hoggatt

Before taking the role as executive counsel, Hoggatt was serving as a staff attorney for the Louisiana Public Service Commission. He was brought on by Giacometto as the head of LDEQ’s legal affairs division in April 2024. His career thus far has boasted a strong educational background—he is a proud product of LSU, having earned both his bachelor’s and law degrees from the university. In addition to his professional credentials, Hoggatt is a native of Oxford, Mississippi, and also has a military background, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Interestingly, it’s worth noting that all three military veterans on Giacometto’s executive team have also resigned within about a year of their appointments. Such a pattern raises eyebrows and leads one to wonder what’s truly happening behind the scenes.

Amidst Resignations, Turnover Remains Low

Despite these executive exits, the turnover rate at LDEQ still remains relatively stable at approximately 10%, which is lower than the average of about 14% for state agencies. This might suggest that while high-level executives are leaving, the majority of the workforce is still finding enough stability or satisfaction to stick around.

As the story unfolds, the community and stakeholders will undoubtedly keep a keen eye on LDEQ and its shifting landscape. The changes at the top could signal a *dramatic shift* in direction and policy for the future of environmental governance in Louisiana.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Louisiana Illuminator
• Wikipedia: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
• The Advocate
• Google Search: LDEQ resignation
• Business Report
• Google Scholar: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
• NOLA.com
• Encyclopedia Britannica: LDEQ