About

Executive Director, Louisiana’s Old State Capitol
Secretary of State’s office

A native of Shreveport and graduate of Louisiana Tech, Mary is the executive director Louisiana’s Old State Capitol. More than 50,000 people a year visit this National Historic Landmark.

 
The Old State Capitol’s mission is to educate the public about the state’s rich political history and inspire engaged citizenship through exhibits, programs and the arts.

Mary worked in journalism for 20 years as an editor at the Shreveport Journal, Baton Rouge Morning Advocate and the Baton Rouge Business Report. In 1997, she joined Bank One – later JPMorgan Chase – as its corporate philanthropy manager working with nonprofits throughout the state.

In 2010, she joined the Secretary of State’s office as director of the Old State Capitol. It was a homecoming of sorts. Mary worked on a contract basis for the late Fox McKeithen when the building was being renovated in 1991. After the job ended, she continued to serve as a volunteer on the board.

She is married to Barry Erwin, president and CEO of the Council for a Better Louisiana.