Biz The Magazine - July 2021

Deanna Rodriguez has gone home again — and again. After many years working with Entergy New Orleans, Rodriguez returned to her native Texas and a position with Entergy there. On May 9, however, she returned to the Crescent City, taking…

“Consumers are doing more product research on brand websites, search engines and social media. But this type of engagement was completely disconnected from inventory that’s down the street. Unlike restaurants, movie theaters or big box retailers, you couldn’t look online…

  Dr. Robert Chugden Chief Medical Officer West Jefferson Medical Center We are doing many things to ensure our employees and physicians maintain optimal physical and mental health. I’d advise ensuring employees are protected, both from infection and from potentially…

Jerry Bologna is bullish on Jefferson Parish. One would…

Jolie Bernard Principal Owner and Chief Strategist The Bernard Group Often small businesses do not have the capacity to focus on daily operations along with prioritizing a communications and marketing budget that will effectively generate long-term brand exposure and revenue.…

Advocacy, education and construction might seem like an odd mix for a single firm, but for Ubuntu Construction, all of these things make up both a business model and a way to contribute to community improvement. Founded and owned by…

Wetlands Sake owners (left to right) Nan Wallis and Lindsey Brower brew up unique canned sake using Louisiana short grain rice at their distillery in the Lower Garden District. A taproom is scheduled to open to…

When your brother is Captain America (actor Anthony Mackie), but you’re the real superhero in the family, you are obviously doing great things. Dr. Calvin Mackie, founder and CEO of STEM NOLA, fits that bill. His current project will benefit…

“We’re all in this together.” This is the message Dr. Stacy Greene, infectious disease lead for DePaul Community Health Centers, wants everyone to hear in relation to getting the COVID-19 vaccination. Formerly known as Daughters of Charity Health Centers, DCHC…

A native New Orleanian, Poppy Tooker has spent her life devoted to the cultural essence that food brings to Louisiana, a topic she explores weekly on her NPR-affiliated radio show, Louisiana Eats!…

Choosing a wealth management partner, the person with whom to trust your money and investments, is one of the most important financial decisions you will make in your adult life. It is crucial to work with a financial advisor who is…

Some of the world’s most famous buildings have been around for thousands of years — and so have some construction methods. Joshua Webb is out to change that. On Jan. 27, 2021, Webb took on the newly created role of…

Keith Twitchell spent 16 years running his own business before becoming president of the Committee for a Better New Orleans. He has observed, supported and participated in entrepreneurial ventures at the street,…

Here we are, right in the heat of things. It’s hot outside, we are in the midst of hurricane season, fall planning is in full swing and the staff is working hard while also enjoying some summer vacations. This month…

“If we want to get better — not just grow, but get better — we have to work smarter.” For Christine Briede, executive director of the Jefferson Community Foundation, this means bringing parish government, business interests and the general community…

Louis Lauricella’s company was among the principal developers of Harahan’s Elmwood Shopping Center when it opened in 1975. Twenty years later, the company acquired sole ownership of the tract, and as of 2018, is in the midst of transforming the…

Chris Price is an award-winning journalist and public relations principal. When he’s not writing, he’s avid about music, the outdoors, and Saints, Ole Miss and Chelsea football. Price also authors the Friday…

Jennifer Gibson Schecter was once a tourist in New Orleans herself and is now proud to call NOLA home. She also writes the Wednesday Tourism Blog on BizNewOrleans.com.   The humidity was…

When many think of the distilling industry, the general impression is it’s mostly a man’s world and we’re all just living and imbibing in it. Local rum distilling company Happy Raptor Distilling bucks this myth. Distillery co-founder, chief brand officer…

While Green Coast Enterprises is renowned as a leader in environmentally friendly construction — with local projects including the Pythian Building and Pythian Market — the company is much more than just a builder and developer. “My top priority is…

Becoming CEO of a hospital during a pandemic is challenging enough. Stepping in when the hospital was just sold and is integrating into a new system is even more so. Despite the challenges, however, Richard Tanzella is quick to call…

This issue celebrates our fifth class of New & Notable honorees and I’m so excited to share them with you! We’ve never had a set number of honorees for these awards, and I like that. It means we can look…

Who moves to New Orleans to head a restaurant group in the middle of a global pandemic? Michael DiSimone. When COVID-19 closed the hotel DiSimone was working for in his home state of Michigan, he was offered the chance to…

Mary Kelly — chair of this year’s Parade of Homes and builder outside sales for Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery — looks over lighting choices for this year’s 19 homes at Ferguson’s Metairie showroom to ensure only the best…