Helping Louisiana recover from Hurricane Katrina

When Public Works President Eric Schnurer scheduled an August 29, 2005 call with Andy Kopplin, chief of staff to Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, he did not realize that the greatest natural disaster in American history would strike that day, leaving tragedy in its wake. But over the next few months, Public Works employees would assist Louisiana's recovery efforts by donating public policy strategies, personally working on cleanup, and opening a new and unexpected chapter in the firm's growth as a leader in private-sector-based public service.

In Louisiana, Public Works had worked with Governor Blanco's office to develop policy proposals to reduce poverty, streamline social services, improve the state's workforce development programs, and implement smart growth policies. On August 29th, when Schnurer and Kopplin were scheduled to discuss next steps on these projects, the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed over Louisiana.

Public Works President Eric Schnurer and Vice President Linda Rhodes got decked out in protection suits during cleanup operations.

One week after the cancelled call, Kopplin asked Public Works for immediate help assembling proposals for the Katrina relief legislation moving through Congress. Public Works staff threw themselves into the assignments and produced dozens of recommendations for emergency relief in the Gulf, all pro bono. The following week, Kopplin called again, asking for policy proposals for the emergency session of the Louisiana state legislature the Governor called for later that week. Although Public Works was given a contract to cover the second phase of policy work, the firm donated the proceeds to a Katrina relief charity. "We were pleased to help the people of Louisiana pro bono and to donate our proceeds to a health clinic serving hurricane victims," said Schnurer.

Along with another firm member, Schnurer has participated in cleanup efforts in Algiers, a disadvantaged section of New Orleans. "We feel a very direct and personal commitment to Louisiana and its people. And seeing the situation up close with our own eyes has added a much more hands-on perspective to the policy work we are carrying out down there."

Earlier this year, Public Works also assisted with the development of Louisiana's statewide housing revitalization strategy. Public Works hopes to continue to support the state's recovery and revitalization in the months and years to come, bringing tangible meaning to the firm's slogan -- "Making good ideas work for the better."

"Involved with Katrina"
Excerpted from the John F. Kennedy School of Government Bulletin, Summer 2006

"The day that Katrina hit, Eric Schnurer, MPP 1983, sent an e-mail to Andy Kopplin, MPP 1992, chief of staff to Louisiana's governor Kathleen Blanco, to offer the help of his consulting firm, Public Works. "I figured I wouldn't hear from him for months. I know how much events like this completely change the landscape for you when you're in government," Schnurer says. Exactly a week later, however, he got an e-mail from Kopplin, saying he needed policy help -- immediately. "Of course, I called right away," Schnurer says. "Andy wanted fresh thinking on what, from the state's perspective, should be in the federal relief legislation that was apparently going to move through Congress any day. Andy wanted someone whom he thought could think about the interests of displaced Louisianans and what should be in the federal relief legislation to help them," Schnurer says. "He more or less gave me 24 hours."

The timeframe wasn't the toughest part of the pro bono assignment, however. "The biggest challenge was the awesome sense of responsibility you have in such settings," Schnurer says. "We felt we had a tremendous opportunity to make a difference in a huge number of people's lives, but that also meant we had a huge duty."

"Public Works, which includes Rick Minor, MPA 2001, Mark Griffin, MPP 1991, and David Osborne, a former Kennedy School researcher, is now in the process of starting a nonprofit wing that will continue to work on issues in New Orleans."