NEWPORT, R.I. - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has appointed Salve Regina graduate Paul Rainwater to his top post, commissioner of administration, effective Aug. 9. Rainwater, who was awarded a master’s degree in international relations in 2008, had previously served as Jindal’s deputy chief of staff.
Rainwater, the son of Jerald Rainwater and the late Leila Rainwater of DeQuincy, La., is the former Lake Charles, La. city administrator and chief of the Louisiana Recovery Authority.
Previously, he served as the legislative director and chief of operations for U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.). From June 2006 to January 2007, Rainwater was director of hazard mitigation and intergovernmental affairs with the LRA, with which he managed program policies, served as team leader and coordinated with state and federal agencies to set mitigation priorities.
From July 2000 to June 2006, Rainwater was the chief administrative officer for the city of Lake Charles and from 1988 to 1996 served as administrative aide to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.
In addition to his public service duties, Rainwater also serves as a colonel with the Louisiana Army National Guard in the Joint Director of Military Support for Disaster Response Unit.