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Panelist Bio


Rodney Geyen
Lake Charles City Councilman

Lake Charles City Councilman Rodney Geyen, born in 1941, was elected to the Lake Charles City Council District C in April 1997. The Calcasieu Parish School Board has employed Councilman Geyen as an educator for the past 36 years and is presently the principal of T.H. Watkins Elementary.

Councilman Geyen attended W.O. Boston High School, Grambling State University earning a bachelor of science degree and McNeese State University earning a master's +30 in administration and supervision. Councilman Geyen is married to the former Margaret Guillory and they have four children, Dana, Gerard, Terri and Kelly with three grand children.

Councilman Geyen worked for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Department for 21 years in the capacity of Assistant Supervisor of Patrol for 11 years. He coached football, basketball, and track for 21 years. He was assistant principal for 5 years and principal for 10 years.

Councilman Geyen was elected vice-president of the council in 1998, president in 1999 and served as interim mayor for 4 months in 2000, becoming the first African American to serve as mayor in the city of Lake Charles. He has received the Trailblazer Award given by the NAACP. He was listed as Who's Who in the Grambling State University Alumni News Magazine. He was selected Principal of the Year in 1999 and was the regional winner and a state finalist.

Councilman Geyen is member of Reeves Temple C.M.E. Church, a member of the Board of Trustees, a member of Calcasieu Principal's Association, Calcasieu Association of Educators, Louisiana Education Association, Louisiana Municipal Association and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Current Topic


05/13 - Medicaid Expansion: Take it or Leave it?

Should Louisiana expand Medicaid benefits to subsidize national healthcare coverage or not?

Coming Soon!


06/13 - STEM Status: Science, Technology, Engineering & Math in Louisiana

How can Louisiana better equip its citizens for future STEM positions?

Recent Topics


04/13 - Louisiana Coastal Concerns: BP & Beyond

What are viable strategies for addressing our coastal erosion in light of sea level rise, subsidence, hurricanes and oil spills?


03/13 - Tax Reform 2013

What would these changes mean for Louisiana’s low and middle income families?


02/13 - Preventable: HIV/AIDS in Louisiana

So how is Louisiana confronting this health issue?


01/13 - Newtown: A Louisiana Perspective

Where does Louisiana stand in this national discussion on guns and mental health?

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