Mayor Marshall Simien

Marshall Simien, Jr., a Lake Charles native, was elected Mayor of the City of Lake Charles on May 3, 2025.  He graduated from Washington High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Government from McNeese State University.  He went on and received a law degree from LSU in Baton Rouge.  He then practiced law for 34-years, first in New Orleans and then in Lake Charles where he represented some of the largest businesses in the country as well as many families throughout Southwest Louisiana.

In addition to practicing law, Marshall has been a dedicated public servant. In 2003, Marshall was appointed by Governor Kathleen Blanco to serve on the Board of Commissioners for the Port of Lake Charles, currently the 10th largest port in the United States.  While serving on the Port Board, Marshall helped oversee the construction and opening of L’Auberge Casino Resort which, along with the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, are the most successful gaming operations in the entire State of Louisiana.  While also on the Port Board, Marshall helped the Port enter into agreement with Sempra Energy which led to the construction of Cameron LNG which transformed the SWLA area into the largest exporter of LNG in the entire world.

After having served on the Port Board, in 2005 Marshall was elected to serve on the Lake Charles City Council where he served 2-terms (8-years), including having served as City Council President and Vice-President.  Marshall represented District A which included the lakefront, downtown and northern areas of Lake Charles.  While serving on the City Council, Marshall helped our community recover from Hurricanes Rita and Katrina, and oversaw several bond projects including Riverside Park, Enterprise Boulevard extension, Downtown Transit Center, Lakefront Promenade, Lakefront Marina, Ryan Streetscape, new Millenium Park and Children’s Playground, MLK Recreation Center Playground, Goosport Recreation Spray Park, and multiple affordable housing developments for the citizens of our community and its senior citizens.   

In 2014 Marshall was appointed to serve on the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury to finish the term of the Juror representing District 2 who passed away while in office.

In 2022 Marshall was appointed by Governor John Bel Edwards to serve on the Louisiana State Board of Commerce & Industry to help jumpstart the entire State of Louisiana’s economy in the aftermath of the global pandemic while overseeing some of the largest economic development projects in the State of Louisiana.

Marshall’s community service includes having served as Board Chair of the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, Executive Board of the Alliance for Positive Growth, North Lake Charles Kiwanis Club, Immaculate Heart of Mary Holy Name Society, ACTS Retreat Director, advisory boards of First Horizon Bank and the Diocese of Lake Charles’ St. Charles Retreat Center.   Marshall is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 4th Degree Knights of St. Peter Claver, the Louisiana State Bar Association, Southwest Louisiana Bar Association, and Louis A. Martinet Legal Society. 

Marshall, who attends Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and serves as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector, is married to Dr. Paula Simien.  They have 3 adult children, Marshall III (Baylee), August, and Grace Elizabeth.