MANAGEMENT TEAM
The Management Team works with the Executive Director to both oversee daily operations and provide vision for LUMCON’s continued growth.
Donna Pitre Lottinger (Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Director) joined in the LUMCON staff in 2023 after 30 years in the healthcare field. As a Louisiana native, born and raised in Dulac she brings not only her vast career experience, but her perspective as a lifelong member of the local community. Donna’s professional career started after she graduated from Nicholls State University with a Bachelor Degree in Secondary Education with a Major in Social Studies with a minor in Computer Science. She added to her qualifications by going on to earn a degree in nursing and later adding a master degree in Science in Nursing and another in Healthcare Administration to her accomplishments. She dedicated her expertise to the bayou region by working at Chabert Medical Center for 26 years, 12 of those years on the executive team as the Vice President of Support Services. After leaving the medical center she was the COO at Life Coast Community Health before coming to LUMCON. While the progression of Donna’s career is non-traditional, her skills and expertise in leadership, compliance, and administration are unique and valuable to LUMCON as it expands its programs and operations.
Joe Malbrough (Marine Superintendent) graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Aquatic Biology and Fisheries and holds a USCG 500 Ton Masters License. He began his biology career as an underwater diving consultant conducting environmental sampling on oyster reefs and working with the La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries as a field researcher. He continued as a biologist for the Florida Marine Research Institute conducting research for a Fisheries Independent Monitoring Program. Joe worked aboard numerous fishing vessels for both sport and commercial industries before pursuing a full-time job as a supply boat captain in the Gulf of Mexico. Eventually, he found his way aboard the R/V Pelican during a chance visit to LUMCON and a meeting with the marine superintendent, Steve Rabalais. He began working full time for LUMCON in January 1999 as Captain of the R/V Pelican. After five years, he became Port Captain, then was eventually named Marine Superintendent. In 2015, he took on the position of the Marine Center Superintendent overseeing the DeFelice Marine Center and Fourchon Marine Laboratory. Joe has represented LUMCON as the UNOLS Research Vessel Committee Chair and is currently Vice Chair of the Science Oversight Committee for OSU’s RCRV Design and Construction Program.
John Conover (Full Librarian/Associate Director for Library and Information Science) came to LUMCON in 2000 after working at Nicholls State University. He attended the University of Kansas, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in History. He subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University. John lives in Thibodaux with his wife, Murt.
Murt Conover (Associate Director of Education and Outreach) has been a marine educator at the LUMCON since 2002. Her educational experience extends a lifetime. At the age of 14 she volunteered as an educator in Michigan and since then has been an educator for many other organizations on the east and west coasts. In 2007, Murt was made the Associate Marine Educator in charge of the LUMCON K-12 and teacher education programs. She also served as the coordinator of the Coastal Waters Consortium’s education and outreach programs from 2012-2019. In 2016, she was made the Associate Director of Education & Outreach. She serves as a commissioner on the Louisiana Environmental Education Commission, as well as, advisory roles for other informal education programs. Murt received the Southern Association of Maine Educators’ for being an outstanding educator in 2008, was nominated in 2009 for the Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award, and a distinguished informal science education award by the Louisiana Science Teachers Association for 2019-2020.
Eddie Filce
(Human Resource Office/Payroll Specialist) has a Bachelor’s degree from Nicholls State University. He comes to LUMCON having over 23 years with the Louisiana Department of Labor (now Louisiana Workforce Commission). For the past 12 years he has worked in the private sector as Human Resource Manager and Recruiter. He brings a wealth of diverse experience to LUMCON and is eager and willing to share his experience and knowledge of Human Resource and Labor Laws with the LUMCON staff. He is a life-long resident of Raceland. He is married to Faith Thomassie and they have two sons and are proud grandparents to two grandsons. He enjoys the outdoors, travel, golf, softball and running.
Matt Isch (Director of Development) brings a wide background in fundraising and governmental relations to his role at LUMCON. As a fundraising consultant, he has worked with clients as diverse as the Orlando Science Center, the Cummer Gallery of Art in Jacksonville and the London Symphony Orchestra. In an academic fundraising career that spanned twenty-three years, Matt held leadership positions at the Tulane University Health Sciences Center during two successful capital campaigns, the University of Cincinnati Foundation during its successful $1 billion campaign, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center as it instituted its first comprehensive development program. After graduate school, Matt worked on the staffs of the Louisiana Legislative Council and Governor David C. Treen. In recent years, he has assisted with the fundraising efforts of Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne and Congressman Steve Scalise. Matt holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi and a master’s in public administration from LSU.