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About GNO, Inc.

Greater New Orleans, Inc. is a public/private partnership formed in January 2004 to spearhead economic development for the ten-parish Greater New Orleans region, which accounts for about one-third of Louisiana's economy. In collaboration with government, business and industry, and civic leaders, our professional economic development staff works to create jobs, market the parishes to companies seeking to expand or relocate, and retain and grow existing businesses.

In the coming year, GNO, Inc. will implement short-term economic development strategies in key areas, as well as build a foundation in targeted sectors for long-term growth in the region. Supported by our Research and Communications divisions, GNO, Inc.'s three departments, Business Development, Public Policy and Workforce Development, will work in collaboration with our local and state partners to move the economy from recovery and stability to growth and expansion for a sustainable, diverse economic base.

While you're here, take a few minutes to learn more about the work we're doing. Meet our board of directors. Contact us with your ideas or questions. Or join our pursuit of regional economic success by becoming an investor in GNO, Inc.

Mission

The Mission of Greater New Orleans, Inc. is to serve as the regional catalyst for wealth creation. GNO, Inc. will accomplish this by pursuing an aggressive agenda of business and workforce development, advocacy, research and communications, in collaboration with the public and private sector.

Vision

The Vision of Greater New Orleans, Inc. is for the 10-parish region to fulfill its great potential as one of the best places in the country to grow both a company and a family.

Roadmap Initiative

The Greater New Orleans Regional Economic Development Roadmap (Roadmap) is a three year strategic business development and marketing plan developed by the region’s public and private leadership to generate wealth in four key high-growth industries:

Advanced Manufacturing
Creative Media and Design
Energy, Petrochemicals and Plastics
International Trade, Logistics and Distribution

Goals:

Execute the business plans for the target sectors aimed at addressing workforce, public policy and infrastructure needs.
Engage regional stakeholders to conduct inbound and outbound recruitment missions, attend trade shows, identify qualified leads and collaborate on retention and expansion projects.
Create a high-quality marketing campaign to highlight the four target sectors and competitive advantages of doing business in Greater New Orleans.
Conduct a comprehensive public relations campaign that counters negative perceptions of doing business in Louisiana and positions this region as a hub of opportunity.

Download the GNO, Inc. Plan (PDF)

Workforce Initiative

GNO, Inc. is committed to providing support to the State’s workforce reform plan and developing programs to recruit, train and place a qualified workforce.

Goals:

Engage the region’s business community and continue to advocate for state and federal workforce reforms that assures a quality workforce.
Enhance the quality of and access to education and training programs.
Work with the four target sectors to identify workforce needs and implement strategies to address them.

Workforce Development Staff

Lisa Tomlin
Director
Regional Talent Development
t: 504-527-6931
c: 504-460-2096
Email

Sheila Thomas
Director
Health Care Sector Initiatives
t: 504-527-6931
c: 504-453-3865
Email

Ja'Net L. Davis, M.Ed.
Project Manager
Regional Talent Development
t: 504-527-6917
c: 504-214-5947
Email

Soledad Chavez
Administrative Assistant
Regional Talent Development
t: 504-527-6936
c: 504-256-2961
Email

Business Development Initiative

While the Roadmap focuses on four targeted industries, GNO, Inc. continues its opportunistic work with potential investors from all sectors. GNO, Inc. will pursue efforts to attract new companies, and retain indigenous firms, in partnership with Louisiana Economic Development and our local economic development partners.

Goal:

Generate and engage 300 business attraction leads, support 2,500 net new jobs and $200 million in new capital.

Business Development Staff

John R. Zakian
Senior Vice President
Strategy
t: 504-527-6943
c: 914-471-3920
Email

Pam Meyer
Director, Regional Business Development
Sector Specialty: Advanced Aerospace and Defense
Manufacturing and Creative Media and Design
t: 504-527-6948
c: 504-491-6271
Email

Salvador Figueroa
Director of International Relations
t: 504-527-6951
c: 504-231-0732
Email

Andrea St. Paul Bland
Vice President, Energy,
Petrochemicals & Plastics
and International Trades
& Logistics
t: 504-527-6996
c: 504-460-1619
Email

Nicholas Gross
Business Development Analyst
t: 504-527-6963
c: 631-796-1792
Email

Denise Washington
Administrative Assistant
Business Development & Public Policy
t: 504-527-6940
Email

Public Policy Initiative

GNO, Inc. collaborates with business leaders from across the region to serve as a unified voice in Baton Rouge and Washington DC, advocating for legislative polices that lower costs, encourage investment and reduce risk.

Goals:

Work with target sector committees to develop and forward state and federal legislative initiatives and strategies that will help promote attraction and retention of companies in the four target industries.
Actively support and lead statewide and regional efforts focused on addressing issues that fundamentally affect the region’s ability to recruit and retain companies and residents.

2008 Legislative Compendium

Public Policy Staff

Dino Paternostro
Senior Vice President
Public Policy
t: 504-527-6920
Email

Denise Washington
Administrative Assistant
Business Development & Public Policy
t: 504-527-6940
Email

Public Policy Committee

Jean M. Champagne
Jay Cicero
Thomas Fierke
James Garvey
Sandra Gunner
James Hardy
Steven Hemperley
William Langenstein
Mark Lewis
David Loeb
John Manard
Nancy Marshall
Michael Palamone
Fred Palmer
Dino Paternostro
J. Stephen Perry
Danny Shaw
Gary Silbert
Chris Mora
Brent Wood
Dale Benoit

Regional Insurance Task Force

David Abbernante
Jeffery Anding
Danica Ansardi
Anderson Baker
Jim Barkate
Judy Barrasso
Don Beery
Thomas Fierke
Michael Hollis
Jim Hudson
Chris Johnsen
John Manard
Martin Mayer
Bill Newton
Shaun Norris
Dino Paternostro
David Perlis
Ashton Ryan
Henry Shane
Mike Siegel
Howard Sinor

Tax Competitiveness Task Force

Bill Langenstein
Don Allison
Tim Ryan
Lizette Terrel
Barry LeBlanc
Bill Backstrom
Ted Mason
Dino Paternostro
Bill Hines
Richard Montgomery
Ross Wales
William Herrington
John Kallenborn
Tim Johnson
Robert Patrick
Darryl d'Aquin

New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute

The mission of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute is to help promote regionalism. NORLI provides current and emerging leaders with a more thorough understanding of issues and an enhanced ability to collaborate for the greater good of the community. The Institute selects a diverse group of leaders to participate in a thought-provoking, nine-month educational program. Participants experience a variety of statewide issues presented through lectures, on-site visits, readings, discussion groups, simulations, and other leadership development activities. Details about the program as well as an application form follow. Or call 504-527-6922 for more information.

Calendar 2008-2009
September 16 & 17, 2008 - Mandatory Opening Retreat
November 19, 2008 - Session #2
December 10, 2008 - Session #3
January 21, 2009 - Session #4
February 18, 2009 - Session #5
March 18, 2009 - Session #6
April 15, 2009 - Session #7
May 19 & 20, 2009 - Mandatory Closing Retreat
June 12, 2009 - Commencement

Benefits

The benefits of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute are incalculable.

For the participant, NORLI creates opportunities for contacts with influential leaders, and provides experience in group dynamics, team leadership, presentation skills, ethics, decision-making, and critical and creative thinking. Participants grow as individuals and gain a better understanding of the many facets of their community, learn cutting-edge leadership skills, and enhance their relationships. Most importantly, NORLI builds confidence and motivation to become actively involved in promoting positive change for the New Orleans Region.

For the employer, NORLI develops in the employee increased organizational, leadership, and problem-solving skills. In addition, it offers news insights into the community, helps identify where strategic alliances might be forged, and gives organizations a unique perspective on how to become involved in the community.

For the community, NORLI helps develop committed, knowledgeable, and action-oriented people to serve as catalysts in promoting positive change - people who are ready to roll up their sleeves and work to make the New Orleans Region a great place to be. The program also encourages creative partnerships and initiatives between the public and private sectors.

NORLI Alumni

NORLI Selection Criteria

Our Board

2008-2009 Board of Directors

William A. Oliver
Chairman of the Board
AT&T Louisiana

Michael Hecht
President & CEO
GNO, Inc.

Martin A. Mayer
Chairman -Elect
Stirling Properties, Inc.

James M. Hudson
Secretary/Treasurer
OMNI BANK

Patrick J. Quinlan
Immediate Past Chairman
Ochsner Health System

Members

Howard Daigle
Sector Chairman:
Advanced Manufacturing
Daigle Fisse & Kessenich

Gregory R. Rusovich
Sector Co-Chairman:
International Trade, Logistics & Distribution
Transoceanic Shipping Co. Inc.

Conrad Appel, III
Sector Co-Chairman:
International Trade,
Logistics & Distribution
Construction South

Lizette M. Terral
Sector Co-Chairman:
Energy, Petrochemicals & Plastics
Chase Bank

Frank Glaviano
Sector Co-Chairman:
Energy, Petrochemicals & Plastics
Shell Oil & Production

Timothy P. Ryan
Sector Chairman:
Creative Media
University of New Orleans

Ashton J. Ryan, Jr.
First NBC Bank

Steven C. Hemperley
Capital One

William Henry Shane, Jr.
Favrot & Shane Companies

John P. Manard, Jr.
Phelps Dunbar, LLP

Arnold B. Baker
Baker Ready Mix & Building Materials

Ernesto Schweikert
KGLA Spanish Radio

Shelley MacNary
Entergy Louisiana

Karl E. Hoefer
IBERIABANK

Mark J. Spansel
Adams and Reese, LLP

Steven A. Kuiper
Acadian Ambulance Service

Raymond Seamon
Institutional Member:
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Louisiana Landscape Specialty, Inc.

Joan K. Mollohan, CPC, SPHR
Institutional Member:
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
Ochsner Health System

Charles C. Teamer, Sr.
Institutional Member:
New Orleans Chamber of Commerce
Dryades Savings Bank

John M. Turner , Jr.
Whitney National Bank

Dale Benoit
Institutional Member:
Plaquemines Association
of Business & Industry
Print All

Walter J. Leger, Jr.
Institutional Member:
St. Bernard Chamber of Commerce
Leger & Shaw

Suzanne Mestayer
Institutional Member:
New Orleans Business Council

John F. Little, III
Institutional Member:
St. Charles Parish
International Matex Tank Terminals

Daniel R. Schaus
Institutional Member:
St. Tammany East Chamber of Commerce
CLECO

Jean M. Champagne
Institutional Member:
St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce
Krebs, LaSalle, LeMieux Consultants, Inc.

William H. Nungesser
Institutional Member:
Co-Chair, Council of Governments
Plaquemines Parish President

Leslie Jacobs
Strategic Comp

Sean C. Hunter
Louis Armstrong International Airport

David Mize
Apogen Services/QinetiQ North America

William H. Hines
Jones Walker

Robert J. Patrick
Seismic Exchange, Inc.

Thomas G. Fierke
Lockheed Martin

Michelle Park
The Idea Village, Inc.

Woody Oge
Chair, Regional Workforce Development Committee
Northrop Grumman Ship Systems

Jan Robert
Vice-Chair, Regional Workforce Development Committee
St Tammany Healthcare Alliance

Gary B. Silbert
Chair, Regional Public Policy Committee
Entergy New Orleans

Danny G. Shaw
Vice-Chair, Regional Public Policy Committee
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

J. Stephen Perry
New Orleans Metropolitan
Convention and Visitors Bureau

Darryl d'Aquin
CommTech Industries

Barry D. LeBlanc
Pamlab, LLC

Mark J. Peters
East Jefferson General Hospital

Michael L. Gill
Farm Bureau Insurance

Taylor Beery
Frantzen, Voelker and
Conway Investments

Tim Coulon
Institutional Member:
Jefferson Business Council

John Crain
Institutional Member: Tangipahoa Parish
Southeastern Louisiana University

Ron D. Wright
Delgado Community College

Staff Directory

Main Office

Greater New Orleans, Inc.
365 Canal Street, Suite 2300
New Orleans, LA 70130
t: 504-527-6900
f: 504-527-6970

Executive Officers

Michael Hecht
President and CEO
t: 504-527-6907
c: 504-715-5037
Email

Barbara K. Johnson
Chief Operating Officer
t: 504-527-6937
c: 504-613-7457
Email

Austin Marks
Chief of Staff
t: 504-527-6942
c: 504-919-6007
Email

Business Development Staff

John R. Zakian
Senior Vice President
Strategy
t: 504-527-6943
c: 914-471-3920
Email

Andrea St. Paul Bland
Vice President, Energy,
Petrochemicals & Plastics
and International Trade
& Logistics
t: 504-527-6996
c: 504-460-1619
Email

Pam Meyer
Director, Regional Business Development
Sector Specialty: Advanced Manufacturing &
Creative Media and Design
t: 504-527-6948
c: 504-491-6271
Email