As director of policy and programs, Mr. Sutcliffe serves as the lead staff member for the Governor's Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation and its Diversion Sub-committee. This body is made up of a wide-variety of coastal stakeholders and serves to enhance the discussion of coastal issues and monitor the progress of and make recommendations for the state's coastal program. Other duties include coordinating with other state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and philanthropies on the topics of resilience and the funding needs of Louisiana's 50 year Coastal Master Plan. He also contributes to the communications efforts of the Governor's Executive Assistant for Coastal Activities and the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority.

Mr. Sutcliffe has a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Humanities and Social Thought from New York University, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Animal Sciences from Louisiana State University. Before coming to the Governor's Office he worked as a science teacher in Baton Rouge and Pittsburgh; with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services in Pennsylvania; and with Louisiana State University's Economics & Policy Research Group.