Tanner A. Johnson

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Tanner Johnson has over two decades of substantive experience handling issues related to coastal restoration and resiliency, federal energy policy, environmental restoration, federal and NGO grant processes and the purchase of land by federal agencies for conservation purposes.  Tanner works closely with former Senator Mary Landrieu to assist clients with issues related climate change, federal energy policy, disaster resiliency, adaptation, coastal and wetlands restoration, as well as other environmental and natural resources policy issues.

Prior to joining the firm, Tanner managed the $2.5 billion Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, a grant fund resulting from the BP oil spill which in part funds coastal restoration efforts in Louisiana, where he  distributed over $1 billion of these funds to projects along the coast in Louisiana and Texas.

Outside of work, Tanner enjoys spending time with his wife Brooke and their two sons, Briggs and Bowen, and is an active member of his local community.

  • Experience
    • Served as regional director for the implementation of a $2.5 billion grant program established as a result of the settlement of federal criminal charges arising from 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
    • Represented the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in the Gulf region and managed relationships with state & federal agency leaders, Members of Congress and their staff, as well as other key stakeholders and the public at large.
    • Helped develop and adopt Louisiana’s 2007 coastal master plan, entitled Integrated Ecosystem Restoration and Hurricane Protection: Louisiana’s Comprehensive Master Plan for a Sustainable Coast.
    • Helped lead the Congressional staff level negotiation of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act), which dedicates 80 percent of civil and administrative Clean Water Act penalties paid by those responsible for the 2010 gulf oil disaster to Gulf Coast restoration.
    • Lead staff on the passage of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 (GOMESA) which provides a share of federal OCS oil and gas revenues to Louisiana.
    • Was appointed by both Louisiana Governors Bobby Jindal and John Bel Edwards to the Governor’s Advisory Commission for Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation.
  • Professional Affiliations

    Louisiana Governor's Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation

    Member, 2014-Present

    Baton Rouge Area Food Bank

    Board Member, 2014-2017

  • Awards & Honors
  • Government Service

    U.S. Senate, Office of Senator Mary L. Landrieu (D-LA)

    Legislative Director, 2009-2011

    Legislative Assistant, 2001-2005

    U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Congressman Donald J. Cazayoux (D-LA)

    Legislative Director, 2008

    Louisiana Governor's Office of Coastal Activities

    State and Federal Legislative Liaison 2006-2007

    The White House

    Intern, 1996

  • News & Presentations
  • Thought Leadership

Education

Louisiana State University Law School J.D., 2001

Spring Hill College B.A., 1998