2016 Keynote Speaker: Lynnel Ruckert
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When Lynnel Ruckert enters a room she does so with southern charm and grace. But don鈥檛
be fooled by her petite frame and gentle nature鈥擱uckert is a powerhouse.
She worked her way up the Washington D.C. political ladder by starting as an aid on
the Energy and Commerce Committee in 2001, and departed D.C. in 2015 as the highest
ranking woman staffer in the House of Representatives as the Chief of Staff for House
Majority Whip, Rep. Steve Scalise. In fact, she was named one of the 20 most powerful
women staffers on Capitol Hill (National Journal, 2015).
Ruckert began her college career at the University of Louisiana Monroe (formerly Northeast
Louisiana University) in 1988 and graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree in Public
Relations.
She was highly involved on campus and speaks fondly of her time as a member of Alpha
Omricron Pi Sorority, Secretary of the Student Government Association, 31 Ambassadors,
Indian Scouts, and a lifeguard at the Natatorium.
鈥淏eing involved on campus made my college experience that much more valuable. It enabled
me to form friendships and gain experience in leaderships roles. I have such fond
memories of my time in north Louisiana,鈥� said Ruckert.
After graduation, Ruckert began working for Central Bank in Monroe, and then Baker
APS in Pineville as a trainer for pharmacies around the country.听
In 2001 she moved to Washington D.C. and during her time there she served as the campaign
manager for Steve Scalise who went on to become the Majority Whip of the House of
Representatives and who appointed Ruckert as his Chief of Staff in 2012. It should
be noted that Scalise is the highest House Republican in Louisiana history.
While being one of the most powerful women staffers in D.C. is quite impressive, Ruckert
says one of her greatest accomplishments is being a Mom to Jack, age 9, and Mary Kyle,
age 6. She even started a 鈥淢oms in Chief鈥� club for other Chiefs of Staff who are also
moms.
When asked to talk about one of her biggest accomplishments on Capitol Hill she said,
鈥淒efinitely the work we did on Steve Gleason Act, which restored Medicare coverage
for voice machines and the RESTORE Act, which provides funding to restore Louisiana鈥檚
coast.鈥�
It鈥檚 no doubt that her ties with Louisiana run deep, and she along with her husband
Kyle Ruckert, who works for Senator David Vitter, have decided to move their family
back to Louisiana to begin a new chapter.
鈥淚 am very pleased with what we were able to accomplish for Louisiana in D.C. and
I know Rep. Scalise will continue that great work. My heart is in Louisiana, and so
it is with much excitement that I return home and transition into this new phase of
my career.鈥�
Ruckert continues to be a Senior Advisor on Rep. Steve Scalise鈥檚 staff and currently
lives in Baton Rouge with her family.
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