French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Welcomes New Board Members and Announces 2019 Officers

NEW ORLEANS – French Quarter Festivals, Inc. (FQFI) proudly announces its newly elected board members and officers for 2019. The 29-member board serves the nonprofit organization French Quarter Festivals, Inc. – producer of three festivals annually: French Quarter Festival presented by Chevron, Satchmo SummerFest presented by Chevron, and Christmas New Orleans Style. Details were shared in a press release.

Robert Rizzuto has been elected as Chairman. Rizzuto, general manager of House of Blues New Orleans, is a native New Orleanian who has worked in the French Quarter hospitality business for over 20 years. He has served on the French Quarter Festival Board of Directors for five years, working on several committees.

Barrett Cooper, COO of ERG Enterprises, a New Orleans-based investment company with holdings in healthcare, real estate, energy, technology, aviation, and entertainment, will serve as vice chairman. As a native New Orleanian, Cooper recognizes the importance of promoting the culture and heritage unique to New Orleans.

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Jon Smith has been elected as Treasurer. He is the principal of Etre Commercial Investments, a real estate investment firm, and also works with RE/MAX Commercial Brokers, Inc as a commercial realtor. He has been on the French Quarter Fest board since 2014 and an active participant on several committees. 

Chimene Grant Saloy will serve as secretary. Saloy is the vice president of Community Affairs at Audubon Nature Institute and also serves on the boards of Girl Scouts Louisiana East and Kingsley House as well as on the Diversity Committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. She has received awards for her marketing and public relations work from both the Press Club of New Orleans and the Public Relations Society of America. She earned a bachelor of arts in mass communication from Loyola University New Orleans in 1990. 

The FQFI board welcomes new members: Ryan Berger, Kenneth Morgan, Jerry Reyes, and Amanda Waguespack.

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Ryan Berger has attended French Quarter Festivals since its inception. He serves as a principal in The Berger Company, his family's real estate investment and development company, which is headquartered in the French Quarter's dynamic riverfront. He and his wife, Amanda, live in Uptown New Orleans with their two daughters.

Kenneth Morgan serves as chief of staff for Converge Consulting LLC. where he provides support for all internal and external projects. Previously, Morgan served as the director of the mayor's Executive Office for the City of New Orleans, under the Landrieu Administration.

Jerry Reyes is general manager of the Westin New Orleans Canal Place. Reyes is a hospitality industry veteran who fell in love with the industry during his student days at the University of New Orleans. Reyes brings over 20 years of experience to the FQFI board. 

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Amanda Waguespack CPA is a senior accountant in the Tax Services Section at Ericksen Krentel CPAs and Consultants. She specializes in nonprofits and estate planning for clients in myriad industries. As a member of the firm's hospitality niche, she looks forward to serving with an organization that supports the city's unique music, art, food, and culture. Waguespack is a member of the Young Leadership Council, the Society of Louisiana CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs. 

Other returning board members are: Leslie T. Alley, Zeid Ammari, Stu Barash, Charlie Bateman, David Bilbe, Michael Biri, Howard Boyd, Richard Eglé, Janice Foulks, Shelley Hardison, Tim Laughlin, Brent McCrossen, Brittany McGovern, Deborah J. Moench, Dennis Pearse, Trey Reinhardt, Jeff Semones, Kristian Sonnier, Adrienne Thomas, Tim Williamson, and Sharonda Williams.

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