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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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I AM PROUD TO PRESENT the second edition of the New Orleans 500, a collection of profiles of the city’s most influential, involved and inspiring business leaders. Congratulations to everyone who made the list. A lot of thought and hard work went into creating it. Two years ago, before the publication of the first New Orleans 500, the Biz New Orleans editorial team identified the most important categories of the region’s economy and made lists of leaders in those fields. Writers and editors conducted hundreds of interviews, gathering recommendations from economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, professional associations, business incubators/accelerators and trusted industry veterans. We scoured the boards of important civic and business organizations to find candidates. And we collected reader suggestions. We also found a treasure trove of leads in each issue of Biz New Orleans.
Next, we reached out to every- Hidden Gem: “Kingpin, In an era when all busiwhere I’m lucky enough one on the lists. We needed to ness owners are working to play music about once confirm biographical details and hard to address questions a month. I love how the ask business questions, of course, regulars visit in lawn chairs of social justice and racial but we also wanted to ask them equity, the New Orleans beneath the oak tree on the about their favorite restaurants, oversized neutral ground 500 also includes many — and some local notable festivals, hobbies and other leaders working to bring always drops by.” details that help reveal the real about positive changes. Best Fest: Jazz Fest people behind the job titles. These folks will be the first It was a year-long task, but the to tell you that there’s a Hobby: “Playing Frisbee with my kids on the Latter result was a vivid snapshot of long way to go. Library lawn” the business community filled Of course, no matter with indispensable information. how much time and Everyone at Biz New Orleans has been energy was spent making this book, we know delighted by the positive reaction to we weren’t able to include everyone who the book, which can be found in C-suite deserves mention, so we look forward to offices citywide. correcting those oversights the third time around. If you know someone who should be included, please fill out a nomination form WHO MADE THE LIST? on bizneworleans.com. Life moves quickly, and things change fast Ultimately, this book is a picture of the in the business world, so the second ediNew Orleans business community as it looks tion of the New Orleans 500 required a lot at the end of 2022. Things will change fast, so of updates. that’s why we’ll publish new editions every Some execs retired. Others took big jobs year. But that’s a task for another day. For out of town. And, of course, promising new now, please sit back, relax and enjoy … the enterprises debuted or moved to the area. To New Orleans 500! capture the changing landscape, the editorial Note: If you were included in the first editeam wrote approximately 150 new profiles tion, but not this time around, please know for the second edition of the book. that we consider you a “lifetime member” This edition features CEOs, managing of the 500, so you may very well appear in a partners, founders, entrepreneurs, presifuture publication — and we’ll continue to dents, mentors, philanthropists, community contact you to get your thoughts on issues leaders and others who are successful at that affect the business community. work and dedicated to civic affairs. It’s a diverse group that includes third-, fourth-, and fifth-generation owners of family businesses that have been active for more than a century. But it also contains young, social media-savvy entrepreneurs who are using technology to build their brands one follower at a time. We’ve included small business owners, restaurateurs and tech entrepreneurs — as well as the lawyers, accountants, marketers and other professional service providers who Editor New Orleans 500 help local businesses operate smoothly.
RICH COLLINS
Rich Collins is an Emmy Award-winning writer, musician and actor known for co-creating and starring in the Disney+ TV series “Imagination Movers.” He is the former managing editor of Gambit Weekly newspaper and former president of the Press Club of New Orleans. His music has been used on “Ellen,” “Good Morning America,” “Wipeout” and other shows. He has performed live on “The View,” “LIVE with Regis and Kelly” and “Good Morning America.” He developed and taught a songwriting curriculum at Loyola University New Orleans. He performs at locations throughout New Orleans including at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Raised in the Washington, D.C. area and educated at the Catholic University of America, Collins moved to New Orleans in the 1990s and lives here with his wife (a New Orleans native) and five children. You can reach him at (504) 830-7257 or rich@bizneworleans.com.
