NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – Maybe you read the book Steve Jobs or others written by native New Orleanian Walter Isaacson. Or maybe you’ve read some of his other books about Ben Franklin, Henry Kissinger and other important people in history.
Now Mayor Mitch Landrieu is appointing Isaacson to the New Orleans City Planning Commission.
“Walter will be an invaluable resource on our City Planning Commission, especially as it leads the City’s Master Plan update which will shape New Orleans for decades to come,” Landrieu said in the news release announcing the appointment.
The City Planning Commission has nine seats, appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council, and is responsible for things like reviewing proposed changes to the master plan, map changes, and changes to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance.
“New Orleans is the world’s most wonderful city. Its magic comes from the unique quality of each neighborhood. I’m deeply honored and excited about the prospect of helping to protect the city and plan for its future,” Isaacson said in the mayor’s written announcement.
Isaacson went to Newman and Harvard. He was also a Rhodes Scholar. He has held several media jobs including CEO of CNN and the editor of Time Magazine.
Isaacson was also the vice-chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority after Hurricane Katrina. He is on the boards of United Airlines, Tulane University, and the New Orleans Tricentennial Commission, among other groups.
He is the president and CEO of the Aspen Institute. He and his wife have homes in New Orleans and Washington, DC.