Hall of Fame Members

Inducted August 2019

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, was a career public servant who dedicated twentyfour years of her life to the citizens of Louisiana having served as a Louisiana State Representative for 5 years from 1984-1989 in the 45th district, as the first woman representing the City of Lafayette; the first female elected to the Louisiana Public Service Commission for 7 years from 1989-1996 and first woman Chairperson of the PSC in 1993 and 1994; the 50th Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana for two terms from 1996-2004; and finally as the 54th Governor of Louisiana from 2004-2008, as the first woman to be elected Governor of Louisiana.

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Inducted in August 2019

Mary Young Cannon, was a career civil servant who dedicated over thirty-five years of her life to the citizens of Louisiana having served as an Accountant IV at Charity Hospital of New Orleans; and who was also a member of the Hospital Financial Management Association; Data Processing Management Association since 1960; and Vice President of the Louisiana Public Employee’s Council; and also served for over 20 years in various capacities on the RSEA Board of Directors including statewide President of RSEA in 1983 and President of the New Orleans Chapter of RSEA for many years.

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Inducted October 2012

Jimmie H. Davis was born in a sharecropper’s cabin near the village of Quitman and matured to become a history teacher, basketball coach, world-renowned song writer and entertainer, clerk of criminal court, commissioner of public safety for the City of Shreveport, state public service commissioner, and Governor of the State of Louisiana. During his two non-consecutive terms as governor of the State of Louisiana, former Governor Davis created the State Employees’ Retirement System, re-created the Department of Civil Service, built seven hospitals, built the present Governor’s Mansion, built many major bridges, including the Sunshine Bridge, and established many recreational areas including the Toledo Bend Reservoir.

Inducted October 2013

Louis S. Quinn, Sr. who was born in Baton Rouge, served his country in the U.S. Army, received his law degree from Louisiana State University and became counsel to former Governor John McKeithen, counsel to the Secretary of State’s Office, the State Civil Service Department and the Department of Transportation and Development. After serving as Secretary for the Louisiana Public Service Commission, he retired with 35 years of exemplary public service. Mr. Quinn served 20 years on the RSEA Board of Directors and also served 14 years on the LASERS Board of Trustees having been credited with helping to ensure system sustainability by advocating for much needed reforms such as the Uniform Hazardous Duty Service Plan while speaking out against proposals that would increase debt.

Inducted October 2014

James E. “Jimmy” Fitzmorris, Jr. was born and raised in the New Orleans Irish Channel and grew up in the Broadmoor neighborhood. He attended Jesuit High School and Loyola University, with interests in public speaking, debating, athletics and business administration. He served in the U.S. Army during WW II, rising to the rank of Major, and continued his service in the U.S. Army Ready Reserves for almost 20 years. In the 1960s and 70s, during his 12 years on the New Orleans City Council, he was actively engaged in citywide issues, and was one of the original pioneer thinkers behind development of the Louisiana Superdome. He eventually was elected as Louisiana’s first “full-time” Lieutenant Governor serving two four-year terms (beginning 1972 and 1976). Mr. Fitzmorris was the last Lieutenant Governor to preside over the Louisiana State Senate, and he became a recognized national spokesperson and authority on Louisiana Economic Development. He served as Coordinator of International Trade and Development, leading the state of Louisiana to a #1 ranking in economic development activities in the nation.

Inducted October 2015

Watson S. Finister, Jr., was born in Catahoula, Louisiana in 1914. He was appointed as the first African American to serve on the Louisiana Civil Service Board in 1973 by Governor Edwin W. Edwards. Mr. Finister was elected as the first African American President of RSEA in 2000. He also serviced as the first African American Board Member of the Alexandria United Way.

Inducted October 2015

Charles Edward Dunbar, Jr., was born in McComb, Mississippi. He served his country admirably in the U.S. Army as a Veteran of World War I, received his law degree from Harvard Law School and served on the teaching faculty of Tulane University. During the administration of Governor Sam Houston Jones, he was enlisted to end the past practices of political patronage in awarding state and municipal jobs by drafting the first civil service law in 1940. He worked for the civil service law to be adopted as a constitutional amendment. Mr. Dunbar, served on the board of the American Bar Association, as President of the Louisiana Bar Association and a trustee of the Southwestern Legal Foundation.

INDUCTED 2020

Dudley Anthony “Butch” Gautreaux was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving from 1968 thru 1972 as a 2nd Class Petty Officer.  In the early years of his career, Butch was a small business owner in Morgan City for 30 years.  Later, he became interested in politics and served the people of Louisiana for 16 years in the state legislature representing House District 51 for four years, and Senate District 21 for 12 years, including a position as Chairman of the Senate Retirement Committee.  He was a true statesman and served admirably as a well-respected problem solver and tireless worker for the citizens of Louisiana.  Upon his retirement from the legislature in 2012, Senator Gautreaux graciously accepted an appointment to the RSEA Board of Directors as a Director Emeritus in recognition of his body of work in the legislature on behalf of state employees and retirees.  Butch continued to serve RSEA with dignity for eight years in that capacity until his untimely death in 2020.

Butch was married for 51 years and had two sons, their spouses, along with seven grandchildren.

INDUCTED 2022

Allen Hale “Haley” Reynolds proudly served in the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and served the remainder of his commitment in the U.S. Army Reserves.  Allen was a career Louisiana civil servant and rose through the ranks to become the Personnel Director for the Louisiana Dept. of Civil Service, where he served with honor and distinction as a staunch advocate for employee/civil servant rights and benefits until his retirement.  Upon his retirement from Civil Service, Allen became a very active member of the RSEA Board of Directors and eventually became Executive Director of RSEA from May, 2009 until July, 2010.  Upon stepping down as RSEA Executive Director, Allen returned to the RSEA Board and served in a variety of positions, most notably, as Secretary-Treasurer until his passing in August, 2020.

Allen also served a brief stint in a voluntary capacity as Acting Executive Director in 2017 during the search for a new Executive Director.  Allen will always be remembered as a great human being, and a friend.  He was a wonderful man and respected by all who knew him.  He will be sorely missed by all, especially by the Board members and staff of RSEA, for his kindness, humility, and compassion.

INDUCTED 2023

Cecil Marshall McKenzie graduated from Marian High School, then attended Louisiana Tech University, and Louisiana State University.  He received his Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work (MSW) from Tulane University, and also attended Law School at night, and was a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association.  Marshall was appointed as the first Director of Housing Improvement for the City of Shreveport by Mayor James Gardner, whereby Shreveport received national recognition and a Look Magazine Award for improving sub-standard housing and served almost 40 years in the Louisiana Public Welfare Department/Division of Family Services beginning in 1949 as a Welfare Trainee and working his way up to Family Services Regional Manager until his retirement in 1997.

Marshall was a dedicated public servant, who was recognized as the recipient of the Charles E. Dunbar, Jr. Civil Service Award in 1985 for outstanding professionalism and performance by a career civil servant, and in 2003 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Louisiana National Association of Social Workers (B.R.).  Upon his retirement, Mr. McKenzie became active as a volunteer social worker for the Cancers Survivors Group at Christus Schumpert Medical Center, and served on the Board of Directors of Northwest Louisiana Legal Services and did pro-bono work representing indigent clients in court, and also, served as a long-time member of the Downtown Rotary Club.

Mr. McKenzie was an active leader and Deacon at Broadmoor Baptist Church, and was the director of a large Adult Sunday School Department for 25 years, and served on the Board of Directors of the American Public Welfare Association in Washington, D.C., and held offices in a number of professional organizations.  Mr. McKenzie served as the Statewide President of the Retired State Employees Association (RSEA) of Louisiana for the years 2004 and 2005, and was president of the Shreveport Chapter of RSEA for six years, and a member of RSEA until his passing in 2013.