FOOD/BEVERAGE
FOOD/BEVERAGE
AUSTIN SHERMAN
VANCE VAUCRESSON
CHRIS WHITE
Co-Founder Big Easy Bucha
President Vaucresson Sausage Company
Founder and CEO Louisiana Pepper Exchange
A serial entrepreneur, Sherman co-founded Big Easy Bucha along with his wife, Alexis Korman, in 2014. The kombucha beverage startup was sold to Beliv, a health-focused drinks division of Central American Bottling Co., in November 2021. Sherman said the acquisition will allow the company to expand its local operations and is estimated to create 50 new jobs.
In 1969, the Vaucresson Sausage Company started selling sausages at Jazz Fest, and after almost 50 years, it’s one of the festival’s few remaining original vendors. Vaucresson’s hot sausage links are an important part of many local recipes and restaurant menus, and the company is currently redeveloping its longtime home in the 7th Ward, where it has operated for more than a century.
This Baton Rouge native, who served eight years in the Army and National Guard, runs a trading company that imports peppers from South and Central America to be used by the global hot sauce industry. The company offers logistics/packaging services, bulk industrial pepper ingredients, ready-touse food service ingredients, ready-to-use retail ingredients and more.
Education: University of South Florida (BS) Local Help: Sherman graduated from Edible Enterprises, a food business incubator that was a collaboration between the New Orleans Food & Farm Network and St. Charles Parish. Did You Know? Kombucha is created by fermenting sugared tea. Its popularity grew from $1 million in sales in 2014 to $1.8 billion in 2019.
Education: Morehouse College On the Horizon: “We’re opening a cafe/deli to serve our community!” Hobby/Passion: Singing Hero: Dr. Calvin Mackie Go-to Restaurant: Dooky Chase’s Hidden Gem: Ray’s On the Avenue Nonprofit Cause: National Urban League
Education: United States Military Academy at West Point (BS) Best Fest: “Hogs for the Cause: Our pepper products are used several by teams and this will be our second year with Team Fire and Spice.” On the Horizon: “LPE is building a new state-of-the art pepper mash facility in New Mexico.” Nonprofit: “Nextop, which supports veterans”
MANUFACTURING
MANUFACTURING
MANUFACTURING
SHIVA ADIREDDY
TODD ANDREWS
EDEL BLANKS
CEO/Co-Founder Advano
CEO Tasc Performance
President and CEO Intralox
Adireddy has helped Advano grow from an inspired idea to a company pushing the boundaries of renewable energy storage. Over the last 12 years, he has worked to manufacture diverse classes of materials to solve problems in the fields of renewable energy and clean technology. He has expertise in the technical and business aspects of nanotechnology.
Since its 2009 debut, Tasc has aimed to reinvent active lifestyle apparel by using bamboo fibers in its fabrics. The company promises the performance of polyester from materials made without as many chemicals. Andrews and his father, Al, co-founded the business, which is headquartered in Metairie and represented by a flagship store on Magazine Street.
Since Blanks became president in 2004, conveyor belt manufacturer Intralox has expanded globally and invested heavily in food safety, parcel sortation, package handling and other solutions. He is a champion of the “no jerks” policy at a workplace of roughly 2,000 employees, and has served on numerous boards. Formerly Blanks was a partner at the law firm of Jones Walker.
Education: Tulane University (MBA), University of New Orleans (PhD, MS) What’s the Big Idea? Advano is a startup that raised $18.5 million in 2020 to fund efforts to create a patented form of powdered silicon that will improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. With roots at Tulane University, Advano is one of New Orleans’ first nanotechnology companie.
Education: Southern Methodist University (BBA) On the Horizon: “Opening a Tasc brand store in Mountain Brook, Ala.” Work Highlights: “I love the fast pace and growing our team to meet challenges.” Hobby/Passion: “Travel for both business and family vacations” Go-to Restaurant: Arnaud’s
Education: Tulane University (JD, BA) On the Horizon: “Intralox has been at the forefront of developing conveyance and sortation systems for e-commerce. It’s been a wild ride and exciting to see this part of our business grow very quickly.” Fave TV Show: “‘Ted Lasso’ is a refreshing and funny escape, but yet has a lot of wisdom about being authentic, genuine and modest.”
BIZ NEWO RLE ANS.COM
FOOD/BEVERAGE
31
