This week, we bring you two stories from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, one from a native Louisianian scientist and the other from a fourth-generation Louisiana fisherman. 

Part 1: Louisianan scientist Estelle Robichaux struggles to deal with the massive oil spill affecting her state while also balancing personal problems.

Part 2:  When Lousiana fisherman Robert Campo receives news of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, he knows his life is about to change.

Estelle Robichaux, a native Louisianian, is a senior restoration project analyst at Environmental Defense Fund. A broadly-trained scientist with a passion for wetlands conservation and restoration, Estelle has a background in natural and social sciences as well as extensive experience in science education. Her field and research background spans wetlands, marine environments and wildlife, from Costa Rica to South Africa to South Caicos. Estelle advocates for the implementation of science-based restoration projects and leads project-related efforts for Restore the Mississippi River Delta. Estelle also works on science communication and tracking the development of scientific and research programs in the wake of the Gulf oil disaster.

Robert Campo is the owner of Campo's Marina located in Shell Beach, Louisiana.  He's a fourth generation commercial fisherman and the great-grandson of the late Celestino Campo, the founder of Campo's Marina started in 1903.  He's the grandson of the late Frank Blackie Campo (a true legend) and the son of Frank J. Campo Jr.  Campo's Marina is the oldest family-owned business in St.Bernard parish and it's one of the top ten oldest family owned businesses that still exists today in Louisiana.  He owns and operates his oyster business with two oyster boats and a farm of nearly 1500 acres of oyster grounds.

Oil: Stories from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill

This podcast episode is a re-edited version of a conversation I had with Steve Gutkin, currently Senior Vice President  of Global Crisis Management & Business Continuity at NBCUniversal Media. Steve was formerly the Acting Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.  Prior to serving in that role, he was Deputy Director in charge of leading the State's counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, resilience, executive protection, and crisis management. 

We discussed how the energy sector has increased it’s resiliency following Hurricane Sandy and how his agency plays a key role in building public/private partnerships, helping industry to respond to and recover from disasters, and the establishment of the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC) that is the first its kind center in any US State to help increase cybersecurity through all sectors of society. 

For more info, visit:  www.cyber.nj.gov

E12 -Public - Private/Partnerships in Emergency Management; Steve Gutkin Acting Director of NJOHSP

Emergency management is a growing discipline as our world has become increasingly more complex, interconnected, and vulnerable to hazards both natural and human caused. The role of the emergency manager, including leaders in public safety, has expanded and become more vital to cities, counties, states, and large organizations, and much of this work can be contained and effectively managed within projects, be they longer term plans,  disaster recovery, mitigation measures or short-term emergency responses to a disaster. This podcast series focuses on project management topics for emergency managers. Come with us as we ride the wave!

E12 -Public - Private/Partnerships in Emergency Management; Steve Gutkin Acting Director of NJOHSP

Andrew Boyarsky

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