Eric Skrmetta | |
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| Member of theLouisiana Public Service Commission from the 1st district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Jay Blossman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Eric Frederick Skrmetta (1958-10-01)October 1, 1958 (age 66) New Orleans,Louisiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Deborah Gibson |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Louisiana State University (BA) Southern University (JD) Tulane University (LLM) |
Eric Frederick Skrmetta (born October 1, 1958) is an American politician who represents District 1 (largely surburbanNew Orleans, easternFlorida Parishes, andRiver Parishes)[1] on theLouisiana Public Service Commission (PSC), an influential regulatory agency which was the political springboard for formergovernorsHuey Long,Jimmie Davis, andJohn McKeithen. Skrmetta is a member of theRepublican Party.[2]
After finishingBrother Martin High School in New Orleans, Skrmetta attendedLouisiana State University, where he was a member ofTau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and in 1981, he received hisB.S. degree inindustrial technology.[3] In 1985 he was acum laude graduate (juris doctor) ofSouthern University School of Law, passed the LouisianaBar Exam, and entered the practice oflaw. In 1986 Skrmetta received hisLL.M. inadmiralty law fromTulane University Law School.
Since 1989 he has focused onlegal mediation. A member of theLouisiana Republican State Central Committee for District 81, in 2003 he unsuccessfully sought to represent the coterminous District 81 in theLouisiana House of Representatives.[4]
Skrmetta won the race for Public Service Commissioner in a 2008 November 4runoff after two other candidates (Bruce Kincade andKen Odinet Sr.) were eliminated in theprimary election. His runoff opponent was former Public Service CommissionerJohn F. Schwegmann, who had no party affiliation.[5] Skrmetta had the support of then-incumbent District 1 commissionerJay Blossman, who was barred byterm limits from seeking reelection.[6] Skrmetta assumed his commissionership office on 2009 January 1 for a term which ends on 2014 December 31. Skrmetta’s campaign demonstrated the political utility of open web sites such asFacebook.[7]
On PSC Skrmetta has sought clarification of Louisiana’sethics regulations, which have tightened since the state’spopulistic past. In particular he has sought to displace meal reimbursements to commissioners from regulated utility companies with reimbursements by PSC itself.[8]
Eric Skrmetta and his wife Deborah Gibson Skrmetta (born 1961) have two children. The Skrmettas are involved in various religious and community organizations. They live inMetairie, Louisiana, where they attend SaintCatherine of Siena Catholic Church.[9]