Civic LAb

Speakers

Fritz Embaugh

Embaugh accrued over 11 years of experience in the architecture and construction industries. During this time he developed expertise in project management and business development. Embaugh brings an impressive national network of professional contacts and resources to the +one organization. With an architecture degree from Louisiana State University he is both an architect and a licensed general contractor.

Embaugh is also a graduate of the USMC School of Infantry as well as a decorated Gulf War Veteran. He graduated in the top five percent from MCB, Camp Pendleton and has received several letters of commendation, a meritorious promotion as well as multiple campaign and service awards. As +one’s CEO and Director of Operations, Embaugh oversees all daily operations.

Katherine M. Smith

For nearly 20 years, Katherine M. Smith has lobbied the Louisiana Legislature and the executive branch of Louisiana government on behalf of corporations, associations and various other business entities both large and small. She is the managing partner of KB Governmental Relations, L.L.C, a governmental relations and consulting firm based in Baton Rouge. Katherine has developed strong working relationships with members of the Louisiana Legislature, their legislative staff, as well as other lobbyists. She also has a wide range of contacts and access to statewide, parish and local elected officials and business leaders. Not withstanding her experience and relationships, Katherine is an effective lobbyist because of her consensus building skills, tenacity and unbeatable work ethic.
In 2004, Katherine joined Jones Walker Law Firm in Baton Rouge where she lobbied on behalf of the firm’s clients. Katherine also served as Director of Governmental Affairs for the New Orleans Metropolitan Hospital Association, representing 25 greater New Orleans area hospitals. In 2007, Katherine started KB Governmental Relations. One of her clients was Pinnacle Entertainment. Katherine provided strategic consulting services in order to help win a controversial parish-‐wide referendum, which required voter approval to build a new entertainment complex in East Baton Rouge Parish. Shortly thereafter, another corporate client, Entergy Louisiana offered her an opportunity as in-‐house governmental affairs executive. Katherine accepted the role and also became an active member of Entergy’s PAC board.
In 2012, Katherine decided to refocus her efforts on her firm. She continues to lobby for Entergy Louisiana but her client list has grown extensively and includes Community Choice Financial, Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals, the International Code Council, LSU Health Foundation-New Orleans and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, to name a few.
Before becoming a lobbyist, Katherine had a successful career as an award winning television news reporter. After graduating in 1990 with a B.A. from Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia, she worked her way from news assignment editor to investigative reporter at WBRZ-‐‐ TV (Baton Rouge). She was the only female reporter chosen for its investigation team. Among all the subject matters she covered, state and local politics always sparked a special interest. We are thrilled to have her sharing insights with us.

Erin Waldron

Erin Waldron is a seasoned public policy professional with 20 years of experience in government service, political campaigns, and community affairs. He has been with AIA since February 2024 and is the Managing Director for Government Affairs and Public Policy. His expertise spans a wide range of areas, including taxes, federal design and procurement, transportation and energy infrastructure, community resiliency, and housing advocacy. Previous to AIA, Erin served as Senior Advisor for U.S. Representative Val Demings of Florida, where he led a broad legislative portfolio focused on climate change, domestic renewable energy manufacturing, disaster preparedness, and local infrastructure appropriations. Prior to his work in Washington, D.C., Erin held key positions in local government and statewide political campaigns throughout Florida, where he organized and managed numerous community-facing events, roundtables, and workshops focused on federal funding and federal programs. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and actively pursues various personal interests, including sailing, hiking, and watching rocket launches.