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Later in the private sector, Odom operated a consulting company to work with farmers on a statewide and national basis. He offered input on farm legislation before the United States Congress. He and his family resided in Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish, where he died at the age of seventy-eight. [1]

Later in the private sector, Odom operated a consulting company to work with farmers on a statewide and national basis. He offered input on farm legislation before the United States Congress. He and his family resided in Zachary in East Baton Rouge Parish, where he died at the age of seventy-eight. [1]

Background

==Background==The son of Robert Odom, Sr., and the former Mary Traylor, Odom was reared up on a cotton and dairy farm of some one thousand acres in Haynesville, a small town in rural Claiborne Parish near the Arkansas state line.[2] He owned a 600-acre (2.4 km2) farm in Claiborne Parish.

The son of Robert Odom, Sr., and the former Mary Traylor, Odom was reared up on a cotton and dairy farm of some one thousand acres in Haynesville, a small town in rural Claiborne Parish near the Arkansas state line.[2] He owned a 600-acre (2.4 km2) farm in Claiborne Parish.

Odom procured a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond east of Baton Rouge. In 1960, he was first employed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, also called the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Immigration at that time. Prior to his election as commissioner, Odom became the chief of the pesticide division, executive assistant to then Commissioner Dave L. Pearce and director of technical services.[2]

Odom procured a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond east of Baton Rouge. In 1960, he was first employed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, also called the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Immigration at that time. Prior to his election as commissioner, Odom became the chief of the pesticide division, executive assistant to then Commissioner Dave L. Pearce and director of technical services.[2]

Odom was married to the former Mildred "Millie" Randolph (born c. 1944). They have a son, Robert "Robb" Odom, III (born c. 1968), and wife Monique of Zachary. Odom, III, was a football linebacker for McNeese State University in Lake Charles.[4] The Odoms' daughter, Ashley White (born c. 1970), formerly Ashley Thompson, resides with her husband Ned White in Monroe, Louisiana. There are four surviving grandchildren, Taylor Brooke Odom, Baylie Monet Odom, Brighton Lynn Thompson, and Nolan Randolph Thompson.[2] Odom was a member of the First Baptist Church of Zachary. In his leisure, Odom enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking.[5]

Odom was married to the former Mildred "Millie" Randolph (born c. 1944). They have a son, Robert "Robb" Odom, III (born c. 1968), and wife Monique of Zachary. Odom, III, was a football linebacker for McNeese State University in Lake Charles.[4] The Odoms' daughter, Ashley White (born c. 1970), formerly Ashley Thompson, resides with her husband Ned White in Monroe, Louisiana. There are four surviving grandchildren, Taylor Brooke Odom, Baylie Monet Odom, Brighton Lynn Thompson, and Nolan Randolph Thompson.[2] Odom was a member of the First Baptist Church of Zachary. In his leisure, Odom enjoyed hunting, fishing, and woodworking.[5]

Odom first ran as a reformer for Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry in 1979 and easily unseated fellow Democrat Gil Dozier. This was the same general election in which Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Representative David C. Treen of Louisiana's 3rd congressional district narrowly defeated the Democrat, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Louis J. Lambert, Jr. A Republican candidate for agriculture commissioner, Leland George Rawls (born August 9, 1950), a farmer from Bastrop, assistant treasurer of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee, and a Treen supporter, used a gimmick to attract attention. Rawls carried a hoe during his campaign appearances and promised to "promote, protect, and advance the Agriculture Department." He polled only 67,000 votes statewide.[6]

Odom first ran as a reformer for Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry in 1979 and easily unseated fellow Democrat Gil Dozier. This was the same general election in which Republican gubernatorial candidate U.S. Representative David C. Treen of Louisiana's 3rd congressional district narrowly defeated the Democrat, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Louis J. Lambert, Jr. A Republican candidate for agriculture commissioner, Leland George Rawls (born August 9, 1950), a farmer from Bastrop, assistant treasurer of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee, and a Treen supporter, used a gimmick to attract attention. Rawls carried a hoe during his campaign appearances and promised to "promote, protect, and advance the Agriculture Department." He polled only 67,000 votes statewide.[6]

Odom was considered one of Louisiana's most powerful elected officials and held major power within the Democratic Party and the state legislature. According to an Odom political ally, State Senator Francis C. Thompson of Delhi in Richland Parish, the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Odom "had a machine. Everybody wanted Bob Odom's support. He had tentacles in every hamlet in Louisiana."[7]Odom's critics claimed that he ran the department as if it were his own kingdom with much cronyism.[7]

Odom was considered one of Louisiana's most powerful elected officials and held major power within the Democratic Party and the state legislature. According to an Odom political ally, State Senator Francis C. Thompson of Delhi in Richland Parish, the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Odom "had a machine. Everybody wanted Bob Odom's support. He had tentacles in every hamlet in Louisiana."[7]Odom's critics claimed that he ran the department as if it were his own kingdom with much cronyism.[7]

Controversies

==Controversies==

In the past several years, however, Odom encountered much controversy in a series of personal allegations which erupted in connection with his duties as commissioner.[8]

In the past several years, however, Odom encountered much controversy in a series of personal allegations which erupted in connection with his duties as commissioner.[8]

Odom's use of state aircraft was repeatedly called into question. He flew to McNeese State University football games in which his son was a player. One such excursion was to Nacogdoches, Texas, when McNeese played Stephen F. Austin State University. Odom claimed that he was meeting a man in Nacogdoches in regard to farm machinery but then said that he lost the individual's telephone number and could not remember his name once he got to Nacogdoches. He also flew on a state plane on numerous occasions to the Claiborne Parish Airport near his family farm. He used a state plane to attend the funeral of a relative. Odom said that his office required that he be on duty twenty-four hours per day, and he was therefore entitled to use the aircraft. Attorney General William J. Guste said that the aircraft could not be used for "purely private purposes", but Odom claimed business reasons for each of the questionable flights.[12]

Odom's use of state aircraft was repeatedly called into question. He flew to McNeese State University football games in which his son was a player. One such excursion was to Nacogdoches, Texas, when McNeese played Stephen F. Austin State University. Odom claimed that he was meeting a man in Nacogdoches in regard to farm machinery but then said that he lost the individual's telephone number and could not remember his name once he got to Nacogdoches. He also flew on a state plane on numerous occasions to the Claiborne Parish Airport near his family farm. He used a state plane to attend the funeral of a relative. Odom said that his office required that he be on duty twenty-four hours per day, and he was therefore entitled to use the aircraft. Attorney General William J. Guste said that the aircraft could not be used for "purely private purposes", but Odom claimed business reasons for each of the questionable flights.[12]

Even after leaving office, Odom's legacy remains in controversy. One of his pet projects as head of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry was the creation of a green energy industry in Louisiana. Odom used taxpayer funhds to encourage the production of ethanol from sugar cane syrup, rather than corn. During his final term Odom convinced the state legislature to provide the approval and funds to build the Lacassine sugar mill in Jefferson Davis Parish near Lake Charles, at a cost of $76.9 million. The mill was built by state workers. The facility was leased and supposed to be operated by Lake Charles, LLC with loans of $70.6 million from the state and another $6.3 million from private sources. A majority of the stock of Lake Charles, LLC is owned by Louisiana Green Fuels, a company that is in turn held by two brothers from Colombia. The plant has never produced a single drop of ethanol, and the machinery to process the sugar cane is still unassembled at the location.

Even after leaving office, Odom's legacy remained in controversy. One of his pet projects as head of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry was the creation of a green energy industry in Louisiana. Odom used taxpayer funhds to encourage the production of ethanol from sugar cane syrup, rather than corn. During his final term Odom convinced the state legislature to provide the approval and funds to build the Lacassine sugar mill in Jefferson Davis Parish near Lake Charles, at a cost of $76.9 million. The mill was built by state workers. The facility was leased and supposed to be operated by Lake Charles, LLC with loans of $70.6 million from the state and another $6.3 million from private sources. A majority of the stock of Lake Charles, LLC is owned by Louisiana Green Fuels, a company that is in turn held by two brothers from Colombia. The plant has never produced a single drop of ethanol, and the machinery to process the sugar cane is still unassembled at the location.

On March 16, 2012, the current commissioner, Republican Michael G. Strain, announced that Lake Charles, LLC had defaulted on both loans and that he would be urging the Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority to foreclose on the operation. A similar project to be located near Bunkie was rejected by the legislature. Criticism of these projects was one of the main campaign points in Strain's successful election bid against Odom in 2007.[13]

On March 16, 2012, the current commissioner, Republican Michael G. Strain, announced that Lake Charles, LLC had defaulted on both loans and that he would be urging the Louisiana Agricultural Finance Authority to foreclose on the operation. A similar project to be located near Bunkie was rejected by the legislature. Criticism of these projects was one of the main campaign points in Strain's successful election bid against Odom in 2007.[13]

2007 election

===2007 election===

Odom ran for an eighth consecutive four-year term in 2007 but lost to Michael Strain, a veterinarian, a dairy farmer, and an outgoing member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from St. Tammany Parish in the New Orleans suburbs.

Odom ran for an eighth consecutive four-year term in 2007 but lost to Michael Strain, a veterinarian, a dairy farmer, and an outgoing member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from St. Tammany Parish in the New Orleans suburbs.

Less than a week later, Odom announced that he would not contest the general election. Therefore, Strain was declared the winner of the election and assumed office early in 2008.[9][15]

Less than a week later, Odom announced that he would not contest the general election. Therefore, Strain was declared the winner of the election and assumed office early in 2008.[9][15]

Agricultural awards

==Agricultural awards==

Odom has won a plethora of awards in agriculture. In 1970, United States Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin in the Nixon administration, cited Odom for "outstanding service" to agriculture. In 1976, the Louisiana State Legislature by concurrent resolution commended Odom for his services to the department. In 1982, he was awarded the designation of "Honorary American Farmer" by the Future Farmers of America. In 1995, the year of his fourth-term reelection, Odom was named "Outstanding Agriculture Commissioner of the Year" by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, which represents nearly six hundred biotechnology companies and academic institutions. In 1996, Odom received the "Man of the Year" award from Progressive Farmer magazine.[5]

Odom has won a plethora of awards in agriculture. In 1970, United States Secretary of Agriculture Clifford M. Hardin in the Nixon administration, cited Odom for "outstanding service" to agriculture. In 1976, the Louisiana State Legislature by concurrent resolution commended Odom for his services to the department. In 1982, he was awarded the designation of "Honorary American Farmer" by the Future Farmers of America. In 1995, the year of his fourth-term reelection, Odom was named "Outstanding Agriculture Commissioner of the Year" by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, which represents nearly six hundred biotechnology companies and academic institutions. In 1996, Odom received the "Man of the Year" award from Progressive Farmer magazine.[5]

When Odom announced his exit from the general election campaign, Ray Young, a farmer and agriculture consultant from Wisner in Franklin Parish in northeastern Louisiana, introduced him at an event by saying, "Bob Odom is the best Agriculture and Forestry commissioner Louisiana has ever had."[1]

When Odom announced his exit from the general election campaign, Ray Young, a farmer and agriculture consultant from Wisner in Franklin Parish in northeastern Louisiana, introduced him at an event by saying, "Bob Odom is the best Agriculture and Forestry commissioner Louisiana has ever had."[1]

Odom's supporters held a retirement celebration in Baton Rouge in his honor on November 29, 2007. Interested persons were urged to contribute to the "Bob Odom Retirement Fund". Odom had a campaign debt at the time of approximately $125,000.[16] Conservative radio talk show host Moon Griffon of Monroe told listeners on November 21, 2007, that Odom will receive a retirement check of some $85,000 per year from the State of Louisiana.[17]

Odom's supporters held a retirement celebration in Baton Rouge in his honor on November 29, 2007. Interested persons were urged to contribute to the "Bob Odom Retirement Fund." Odom had a campaign debt at the time of approximately $125,000.[16] Conservative radio talk show host [[Moon Griffon]], then of Monroe and later [[Lafayette]], told listeners on November 21, 2007, that Odom will receive a retirement check of some $85,000 per year from the State of Louisiana.[17]

In 2008, Odom was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.[18]

In 2008, Odom was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.[18]

Odom had multiple health issue in his least years and died on May 17, 2014.[7] Services were held at the First Baptist Church of Zachary on May 20, 2014. Interment is at Beulah Plains Cemetery in Zachary.[2]

Odom had multiple health issue in his later years and died on May 17, 2014.[7] Services were held at the First [[Southern Baptist|Baptist]] Church of Zachary on May 20, 2014. Interment is at Beulah Plains Cemetery in Zachary.[2]