Jean Versteeg is a great interviewer to work with. She is very encouraging and enthusiastic. Our initial meeting was several weeks after the storms when we spoke by telephone between her home in Canada and myself in Australia. I found her ideas in line with mine and I soon looked forward to meeting her when she arrived in Baton Rouge the day after me in early May, 2006. Jean was every bit the professional I thought she would be. Her approach was a little different to a typical journalist and this is what made her special. She was sometimes unpredictable in her madness and this is an asset as she could ask questions others could miss. She never lets an opportunity go unmissed and she was able to warm up to the most nervous of interviewees.

There is one thing about Jean that stands out over all other interviewers I have worked with and that's her uncanny ability to find interesting people in the most unusual places who were always highly relevant to the storyline.

Jean was instrumental in bringing Terry Bosy into the fold and the 3 of us worked like we had been together for many years. She remained in operation on the ground for 3 very gruelling weeks working back to back 18 hours a day without a single day off.

Jean is the mother of 3 grown up children. Her husband, an attorney in Canada, was able to provide some valuable advice to us on occasion. She represented Canadian contingent of the organisers behind the Hurricane Choir before the State of Louisiana Senate in May, 2006. Jean is also a marvellous and fun person to work with.