On January 18th, in the Royal Sonesta Grand Ballroom, over 150 attendees representing businesses around the Quarter gathered to meet and welcome a new board of directors for the French Quarter Business Association. Among the attendees were City Council members Jackie Clarkson and Kristin Gisleson Palmer and Past FQBA presidents Drew Bevolo, Alfred Gross, Sal Sunseri and Lois Sutton. The association has been a long standing recognized group for its dedication to enhancing the business climate in the French Quarter.
2011 Officers:
President - Adrienne Thomas, New Orleans Steamboat Company
Vice President - Jeremy DeBlieux, Acme Oyster House
Secretary/Treasurer - Reed Neelis, Whitney Bank
Chairman of the Board & Immediate Past President - Shelly Waguespack, Pat O'Brien's
2011 Board of Directors:
C.E. Adler, Sydney Anderson, Drew Bevolo, ChadBoutte, Cynthia Clark, Arnold Cooper,
Charles Daroca, Michael Dezura, Bryan Francher, John O'Brien, Katie O'Hara, Jack Pruitt,
Gene Sausse, Larry Sherman, Christine Sory, Frank Stansbury, Monique Sullivan, Lois Sutton,
Nancy Tusa, Robert Watters
The evening's Master of Ceremonies was Nancy Parker of Fox 8. She captivated the audience and conveyed her passion for the Quarter by referencing her children's book's characters before announcing this year's award recipients:
Fleur-de-lis Award, presented annually to individuals for their extraordinary dedication to our historic neighborhood, was awarded to Janice Foulks. Mrs. Foulks is a French Quarter resident, past president of French Quarter Festivals, Inc. for 2 years and is very involved with the St. Louis Cathedral and other community groups.
The Ambassador Award was created to recognize an unsung hero, a friend of the French Quarter, an individual who makes the French Quarter a more special place by their hard work, spirit and positive energy. Ben Jaffe, Director of Preservation Jazz Hall and the Band received the award in abstention. He has grown up in the French Quarter and his family's business that opened in the early 60's. The business has become an iconic symbol of our culture. Preservation Jazz Hall is celebrating its 50th year of business in 2011.
Photos below by Frank Stansbury:
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| Mrs. Janice Foulks |
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| Cm. Jackie Clarkson & Cm. Kristin Gisleson Palmer |
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| Debby Guidry of Preservation Hall, Shelly Waguespack and Adrienne Thomas |
