ENERGY
ENERGY
THOMAS NEYHART
DEANNA RODRIGUEZ
KARL WEBER
CEO PosiGen
President and CEO Entergy New Orleans
Vice President of Public Affairs Atmos Energy Louisiana
Founded in 2011, PosiGen’s mission is to “make a positive financial impact by providing green energy solutions to lowto-moderate income homeowners.” During Neyhart’s tenure as CEO, the company has been named to Inc. Magazine’s “5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies” list for three years in a row, and has established credit lines totaling more than $150 million.
Rodriguez, a 28-year veteran of Entergy, has served in a variety of capacities at the company. She worked closely with the New Orleans City Council to launch the first Energy Smart program. She also coordinated post-Hurricane Katrina funding efforts, which resulted in more than $200 million in community development block grants for the region.
Weber oversees the development of business relationships and stakeholder engagement for Atmos, an S&P 500 natural gas distribution company. He is program committee chair for the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber, serves on the chairman’s council for the New Orleans Chamber and is an at-large board member for the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute.
Education: Louisiana State University Nonprofit Cause: Kids Across America On the Horizon: Introducing solar roof shingles Best Fest: French Quarter Fest Go-to Restaurant: GW Fins Hidden Gem: Stanley’s Hero: Ted Lasso Hobby/Passion: “Riding my Harley with my wife.”
Education: The University of Texas at Austin (MPA, BA) Hidden Gem: Barracuda’s Hobby/Passion: Running and reading Advice: “Be kind to everyone.” Go-to Restaurant: Sofia and Pêche Nonprofit Cause: Youth Empowerment Program Best Fest: Jazz Fest
Education: Kent State University (MA), Loyola University New Orleans (BAS) Advice: “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Poboy Pick: Oyster, dressed Hidden Talent: Disruption Best Fest: Jazz Fest
ENERGY
FOOD/BEVERAGE
FOOD/BEVERAGE
JARED WIMBERLY
JAMES ARMAND
PEPPER BAUMER
Refinery Manager PBF Energy
Owner Joe’s Café
President Baumer Foods
With a refinery background that goes back almost 25 years, Wimberly has held almost every job in the industry, starting as a process engineer and working his way up to a management role. He actually volunteered to be transferred to the Chalmette refinery. “I love the people,” he said. “That is why I raised my hand and asked the company to move me back home to Louisiana.”
Armand got his first taste of the restaurant industry when he was 14 years old, starting out as a donut fryer working for two former nuns who owned a West Bank donut franchise. He and his wife, Stacey Favre Armand, bought their first location in 1988 and, to this day, their hand-cut glazed donuts are still the top seller at all of their franchise’s locations.
Baumer Foods is the maker of the worldrenowned Crystal Hot Sauce. According to family lore, Baumer’s grandfather started the business in 1923 using a recipe he found inside the drawer of a snoball syrup production company he bought on Tchoupitoulas Street. Now, the company makes millions of gallons of hot sauce annually for distribution to more than 30 countries.
Education: Louisiana State University (BS) Best Fest: “Growing up in Church Point, I always loved Courir de Mardi Gras.” On the Horizon: “We’re very excited about the renewable diesel project that was approved to be built within the Chalmette Refinery.” Nonprofit Cause: United Way of Southeast Louisiana
Best Fest: Gretna Heritage Festival Hidden Gem: Port of Call On the Horizon: “We’re opening a franchise location in Gretna.” Advice: “Stop and smell the roses. Take vacations and spend time with family. Life is shorter than you think.” Nonprofit Cause: Teen Challenge
Education: University of Alabama Best Fest: Jazz Fest Go-to Restaurant: Commander’s Palace Hidden Gem: Wetlands Sake Brewery Nonprofit Cause: NOCHI and Krewe of Red Beans Best Part of Job: “Making good food taste GREAT!” Company Headquarters: The 190,000-square-foot Globalplex Intermodal Terminal in Reserve
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ENERGY
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