Louisiana Sea Granter Appointed to Washington, D.C., Position

Mike Liffmann, associate executive director of Louisiana Sea Grant, housed at LSU, will become extension leader for the National Sea Grant College Program. Liffmann begins his one-year appointment in Washington, D.C., in August.

“Mike’s new position as national extension leader is a reflection of his commitment to helping Sea Grant fulfill its mission of maintaining a healthy coastal environment and economy,” said Dr. Charles Wilson, Louisiana Sea Grant College Program executive director and Louisiana State University vice provost. “The national office has called on Mike before for assistance with various projects, so they recognize the value of his more than 20 years of experience with Louisiana Sea Grant.”

As national extension leader, Liffmann will work to enhance communication between the National Sea Grant Office and its extension network, provide coordination and leadership for fisheries extension enhancement programs and initiate collaborations with various Sea Grant partners. Since 2001, he has served as Louisiana Sea Grant/LSU AgCenter extension project leader.

Sea Grant’s network of more than 300 extension experts works with coastal community members and decision makers to provide informal education and transfer new technologies. Sea Grant extension staff work with communities in countless ways – to improve tourism opportunities, help fish farmers develop environmentally-sound shellfish farming practices, explain the impacts of land use on water quality, and provide technical assistance to communities planning for, and dealing with, hurricanes and other natural disasters.

The national Sea Grant network includes more than 30 programs based at top universities in every coastal and Great Lakes state, Puerto Rico and Guam. The programs work together to help citizens understand, conserve and better utilize the nation’s coastal, ocean and Great Lakes resources. The Louisiana Sea Grant program was established in 1968.

Liffmann earned a B.A. in economics and political science from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX., and a M.A. in Latin American and regional economics from LSU.