Robert W. Becker, a 1971 graduate, serves as Chief Executive Officer for the City Park Improvement Association in New Orleans. He is responsible for all aspects of the 1300 acre regional park's operations including working with a 32-member board of elected and appointed officials. His major efforts right now are in leading the recovery of the park from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. For 12 years prior, he held a series of positions with the Audubon Nature Institute. Mr. Becker was the City Planning Director in New Orleans during most of the 1980s and was responsible for the operation of the Planning Commission, the direction of planning studies and staff.