Caffey Named Sea Grant Extension Director

Rex H. Caffey, Ph.D.
Director of Marine Extension

Rex H. Caffey is Louisiana Sea Grant’s (LSG) new director of Marine Extension. He had served as interim Extension director since December 2010.

“Rex is a natural for this position,” said Chuck Wilson, Louisiana Sea Grant College Program executive director. “He understands the importance of Extension to Sea Grant’s mission, he’s demonstrated his leadership abilities countless times, and he knows the job. Twice he’s served as interim Marine Extension director.”

LSU AgCenter Vice Chancellor Paul Coreil added, “We are delighted Rex has accepted the position. Marine Extension is critical to the future sustainability of coastal Louisiana, and Rex is perfect to lead our shared AgCenter/Sea Grant team.”

Caffey has been with LSG and the AgCenter since 1998, when he began serving as a wetlands and coastal resources specialist. In 2002, he was appointed an associate professor in the LSU AgCenter Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness while also maintaining his Marine Extension specialist appointment. In 2008, he was promoted to full professor. Caffey also is the founding director of the LSU Center for Natural Resource Economics and Policy.

Caffey earned his B.S. in agricultural business, his M.S. in natural resource economics, and his doctorate in wildlife and fisheries science from Louisiana State University. He’s worked for the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Aquaculture Technologies Ltd., and operated his own charter fishing business.

“I’m looking forward to the new challenges,” Caffey said. “Although I’ll be leading Louisiana Sea Grant’s Marine Extension program, I’ll still be an Extension specialist and continue with my resource economics work and working with students.”