Steve Cochran

Associate Vice President, State Affairs

Work

Areas of expertise:
Coastal resilience, coastal restoration and protection, natural infrastructure, rivers and deltas

As associate vice president for coastal resilience, Steve Cochran directs EDF’s work in priority U.S. states.

Previously in his career, Steve spent two years as the executive director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation in New Orleans, and seven years with Louisiana Congressman and then Governor Buddy Roemer. He served as legislative director in Washington, D.C., then field director and ultimately chief of staff to the governor. In his prior role as vice president of EDF’s Climate and Air program, Steve managed EDF’s domestic and international efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. Steve served as the executive vice president of EDF’s 501(c)(4) organization, the Environmental Defense Action Fund (EDAF), and was the political director of EDAF’s Political Action Committee. Steve formerly served as the director of EDF’s National Climate Campaign. Prior to that, he managed EDF’s media, legislative and Internet advocacy work and served as EDF’s legislative director.

Background

  • Senior Policy Analyst for the Office of Air and Radiation at the U.S. EPA (1992-1997)
  • Executive Director at the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (1990-1992)
  • Chief of Staff for Governor Buddy Roemer of Louisiana (1988-1990)
  • Field Director for Roemer for Governor Campaign (1987-1988)
  • Legislative Director for Congressman Roemer (1984-1987)

Steve has also served since 1997 on the Campaigns and Elections Committee of the League of Conservation Voters.

Degrees

B.S., Louisiana State University

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