Vanessa Taylor is an accomplished financial expert who has served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) since 2020. Created by the RESTORE Act of 2012 and comprised of the Governors of the five Gulf Coast States and Cabinet-level officials from six federal agencies, the Council is responsible for restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands, and economy of the Gulf Coast.
Taylor has more than 30 years experience in federal financial management, and has been an invaluable asset to the RESTORE Council. Her previous role as the Council's Financial Manager allowed her to successfully oversee the finance, grant, and financial administrative functions of the organization, and develop and implement financial strategies.
Prior to joining the Council, Taylor held the position of Chief of Accounting and Systems Branch for the 5th Signal Command in Wiesbaden, Germany and was assigned to the George C. Marshall Center for Strategic Studies in Garmisch-Paterkirchen Germany.
A retired Army Veteran with 22 years of honorable military service, Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Colorado Christian University, a Master of Business Administration in Finance with Columbia Southern University, and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Business Administration. Along with her husband, she pastors a church in Slidell, LA, and values spending time with family, as well as exploring new places.