Martin Walke, CLED

                                   Vice President, Economic and Program Development

 

Since 2006, Walke has served as Vice President for Economic & Program Development for the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (LPFA).  The LPFA is a public trust and serves as a conduit issuer of tax-exempt and taxable bonds for the State of Louisiana.  He coordinates the issuance of revenue bonds and industrial revenue bonds while working closely with local and state economic development professionals.  He also manages revolving loan programs totaling $22 million and is responsible for all marketing and public relations for the LPFA.

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Walke’s professional career includes serving as a Legislative Assistant to former U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnston and as Director of State Operations for former U.S. Senator John Breaux.  After establishing and managing a public affairs consulting business for many years, he worked as a banker in public finance and subsequently as a financial advisor before joining the LPFA.

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Walke serves in a leadership capacity on numerous boards associated with economic development in Louisiana.  He serves as Advocacy Committee Chairman for the National Association of Health & Educational Facilities Finance Authorities (NAHEFFA). He is a former Director of the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association (LIDEA), Director and Past Chairman of the Louisiana Business & Technology Center (LBTC), and twice served as Treasurer of the Louisiana Business Incubation Association (LBIA).  He is also an active member in the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA).  In addition, he finds fulfillment in serving as a volunteer to many civic and philanthropic organizations as well.

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He has been married to Mary Leah Stewart Walke since 1989 and they are the proud parents of two daughters, Molly Ann and Mimi, who both received undergraduate degrees from LSU and are both currently pursuing graduate degrees at LSU.

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Mr. Walke had the following to say about the CLED training program:

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“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with LIDEA’s CLED program when I became certified in 2011 and value the knowledge and friendships I developed while attending each session. The continuing education required to maintain the certification ensures I will remain informed and engaged. I highly recommend this certification to individuals working in any aspect of economic development in Louisiana.”

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