M.L. "Bud" Mapes: The "Dean of Louisiana Lobbyists"
M.L. “Bud” Mapes was the father of Joe Mapes, the current owner and principal consultant for Mapes & Mapes, Inc. Born July 8, 1930 in Ozark, Missouri, Bud served his country in the Korean War from January 1951 until March 1955, then moved to Baton Rouge and began a distinguished 50-year career as the first registered lobbyist of Louisiana. Often referred to as the “Dean of Louisiana Lobbyists,” Bud Mapes worked with eight Louisiana governors during his career, beginning with Earl Long and ending with Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. Some of the clients he was proud to have represented included the Louisiana Farm Bureau, Southwestern Lumberman’s Association, Louisiana Finance Association, 3M Company, Entergy, Cole-National Corp., Louisiana Retailers Association, Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association and Louisiana Building Material Dealers Association.
Mr. Mapes founded Mapes & Associates which later became Mapes & Mapes, Inc. under the guidance of his son, Joe Mapes. Bud, who never retired, worked diligently for the people of Louisiana until his passing on December 1, 2005 and always practiced the motto, “What is the right thing to do?” It is this legacy which Joe Mapes and the professionals at Mapes and Mapes are proud to continue in their lobbying efforts today.
So valuable were Bud Mapes’ contributions to the state of Louisiana as a lobbyist and businessman, that the Louisiana Legislature drafted and passed two resolutions recognizing him: one to commend and congratulate his 50 years of work and the other to honor him on his passing.
