French Quarter Business Association Introduces 2016 Board of Directors and Honors French Quarter Advocates

French Quarter Business Association Introduces 2016 Board of Directors and Honors French Quarter Champions 

On Tuesday, January 5th, at 6pm at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans’ Grand Ballroom, 249 attendees representing businesses and organizations around the French Quarter gathered at the French Quarter Business Association’s Installation and Awards Dinner. Among the attendees were special guest speaker Colonel Michael D. Edmonson of the Louisiana State Police, Representative Wesley T. Bishop, Representative Helena Moreno, Lieutenant Governor Elect Billy Nungesser, Council Member of District “C” Nadine M. Ramsey, Council Member of District “D” Jared C. Brossett, Council Member of District “E” James Austin Gray II, newly appointed head of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Juana Marine-Lombard, senior adviser to Mayor Landrieu Ryan Berni, and NCIS: New Orleans Producer Joseph Zolfo.

Also in attendance were FQBA President Robert Watters and Vice Presidents Timothy Spratt. Businesses represented were Bevolo Gas & Electric lights, Cahn Enterprises, Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, FBT Film Credit, LLC, First Bank & Trust, French Quarter Festivals, Inc., Kean Miller LLP, Kirkendoll Management, NCIS New Orleans, Patio Planters, RCI Entertainment LA, Red Fish Brill, Southern Insurance Agency, and Valentino Hotels. The Association has been a long standing recognized group for its dedication to enhancing the business climate in the French Quarter.

2016 Officers:

President – Robert Watters, RCI Entertainment LA

Vice President – Timothy Sprat, Kirkendoll Management

Vice President – Drew Bevolo, Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights

Secretary/Treasurer – Louis Faust, IBERIABANK

At Large – Zeid Ammari , Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts

At Large – Marci Schramm, French Quarter Festivals, Inc.

Chairman of the Board  Jeremy DeBlieux, Acme Oyster House

2016 Board of Directors:

Neil Anderson

Sydney Anderson

Louis Faust

Bryan Francher

Dr. Scott Griffith

Levi Janssen

James Lauga, Jr.

Dwyre McComsey

John O’Brien

Angela Rowell

Emily Liuzza

Gene Sausse

Anna Sumas

Adrienne Thomas

Tony Viloria

Shawn Walsh

Kathleen Wilkin

Mark Wilson

The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was Nancy Parker of Fox 8 News. This was her sixth year in this role; she as always was a vibrant addition to the event and is a great friend of the Association.

The two awards presented:

The Fleur-de-lis Award, presented annually to individuals for their extraordinary dedication to our historic neighborhood, was awarded to Mrs. Kimberly Rosenberg. Mrs. Rosenberg was recognized for her heavy involvement as a volunteer with the French Quarter Management District.

The Ambassador Award, which was created to recognize a true ally of the Association, this individual member or member organization understands the FQBA’s mission and then goes above and beyond to assist the Association in achieving that goal, was awarded to New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau. The NOCVB was recognized for funding the French Quarter Task Force, which provides off-duty New Orleans police officers patrols for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.