Chief Communications Officer Cydra Wingerter sits down to discuss work ethic, journey into politics and experiences in Louisiana
Photo by Louis Prejean

By Louis Prejean
@LouisPrejean

The chief communications officer doesn’t get to sleep in much when working with the Lafayette mayor-president. 

Cydra Wingerter has worked with the last two Lafayette mayor-presidents. Along with taking over as communications officer in the final 11 months under Joey Durel, Wingerter worked with Joel Robideaux’s administration when he took office in 2016.

Cydra Wingerter’s husband, Troy Wingerter, said she is up at 3:45 a.m. every day and there are times she can’t help it.

“I can’t tell you how often I’ll roll over and she’s gone because she had something in her head about what’s going on,” Troy Wingerter said. “She wants every single ‘I’ and ‘T’ dotted and crossed. It’s not just a job to her. It’s something she lives.” 

Not only does Cydra Wingerter provide full attention in her role within Lafayette government, but she also balances her marriage along with raising two children. 

“She’s a freaking rockstar. She’s got our boys down to a science,” Troy Wingerter said. “She’s got them up, rolling and out the door to go to school. She’s got a big white board with their class schedules on it and what’s coming up on their assignments.” 

Former Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux said her position is more than a full-time job and the public doesn’t know how much work really goes on behind the scenes.

“The amount of work that goes into her day-to-day job is something I don’t think the public really knows or most people don’t appreciate,” Robideaux said.

When it comes to appreciation, Troy Wingerter believes Cydra has a different type of appreciation for the Acadiana area since she moved here from Oklahoma in 1996.

“When you’re born into something you don’t always necessarily appreciate it,” Troy Wingerter said. “Sometimes this community doesn’t realize what they have until it’s gone. All that being said, I think Cydra and I really value and cherish this community.”