Joey Durel Bio

Lafayette Businessman Joey Durel is in his second term as Lafayette City/Parish President, and is certainly no stranger to the Lafayette Community, having graduated from UL-Lafayette in 1975 with a degree in Business Administration. His 27+ years of business experience, as well as his entrepreneurial spirit, have led him into several business ventures, as well as being named Chairman of the Board of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce. He is also a graduate of Leadership Lafayette Class X and Leadership Louisiana. 

Since taking office in January of 2004, his administration has been busy making good on a campaign promise to “change the culture of government” by improving the efficiency of local government through technology, streamlining jobs, practicing accountability, and reducing attorney billable hours, which yielded hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings in the first several years of his administration.

Durel was also instrumental in spearheading a Fiber to the Premises Initiative, which was approved by the voters of Lafayette by a 62 to 38% margin, authorizing the Lafayette Utilities System to move the project forward, and putting Lafayette on the map in what has been called a “victory for America.”

Durel has embraced and promoted technology, culture, and the arts, and Lafayette has frequently been ranked at the top of national rankings under his leadership.  For a full list of Lafayette's recent accolades, visit Lafayette Consolidated Government's website or Lafayette Economic Development Authority's website.

He has made it a priority to have an open and accessible administration, meeting with anyone, anywhere, along with hosting a weekly call-in radio show “Lafayette Live with Joey Durel” to discuss various issues in the community and answer questions about what is happening within Lafayette Consolidated Government.

In October 2007, Durel was unopposed for his second term as Lafayette City-Parish President, and began his second term in January of 2008.  He will run for a third term in October of 2011.