Manufacturing

FOOD/BEVERAGE

AUSTIN SHERMAN

Co-Founder

Big Easy Bucha

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.

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.

FOOD/BEVERAGE

VANCE VAUCRESSON

President

Vaucresson Sausage Company

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.

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

FOOD/BEVERAGE

CHRIS WHITE

Founder and CEO

Louisiana Pepper Exchange

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: 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

SHIVA ADIREDDY

CEO/Co-Founder

Advano

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.

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.

MANUFACTURING

TODD ANDREWS

CEO

Tasc Performance

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.

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

MANUFACTURING

EDEL BLANKS

President and CEO

Intralox

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 (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.” BIZNEWORLEANS.COM

MANUFACTURING

JENNIFER BOLANDMASTERSON

Director

Boeing

Boland-Masterson is the woman behind the world’s most powerful rocket: NASA’s Space Launch System, designed to take humanity to the moon and Mars. She manages the group that builds the core stages and exploration upper stage. “My favorite part about my job is my team,” she said. “They overcome challenges with professionalism and enthusiasm.”

Education: Purdue University (BS) Hidden Gem: St. Ann Wine Bar in Mandeville Best Fest: Jazz Fest On the Horizon: “Exploring lunar orbit is the stepping stone for deep exploration missions. Ultimately, NASA and its industry partners want to explore Mars and beyond!” Advice: Live your life to the fullest.

MANUFACTURING

LIONEL DUTREIX

Director

Michoud Assembly Facility

Dutreix manages day-to-day operations of NASA’s 829-acre multi-tenant manufacturing facility in eastern New Orleans, where development of NASA’s Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft are underway. SLS, said to be the world’s most powerful rocket, is designed to carry astronauts, experiments and cargo on deep-space missions to destinations as far away as Mars.

Education: University of New Orleans (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Venezia Hobby: “Learning to play the electric guitar” What Do You Love About Your Job? “Leading the next generation of space explorers” Hero: Alexander Hamilton Nonprofit Cause: The Catholic Church Advice: “Be patient and listen.”

MANUFACTURING

GEORGE GSELL

President

MECO

Since 1999, Gsell has led a water purification company that began in New Orleans more than 90 years ago and is now based in Mandeville. MECO creates equipment that produces water used by global pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies — including laboratories helping fight COVID-19. The Danish company Grundfos has entered into an agreement to purchase MECO.

Education: Glasgow University (MS), Tulane University (BS) Long Tenure: Gsell has been with MECO since 1984 and held the positions of project engineer, design engineer, sales engineer, vice president of sales and executive vice president of operations before being appointed president in 1999. Did You Know: Gsell holds three patents for MECO.

MANUFACTURING

JUSTIN HARTENSTEIN

Founder

Oracle Lighting

Hartenstein started his business in his parents’ garage in 1999 when he was 17 years old. Experimenting with LEDs and electronics, he developed unique lighting solutions for automotive applications. From humble beginnings, his company has grown to employ more than 30 full-time team members and is considered a leader in the industry.

Education: University of New Orleans (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Luke Advice: “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” Hidden Gem: Carousel Bar Best Fest: French Quarter Fest Nonprofit Cause: Barran’s Bears

MANUFACTURING

JAMES “JAY” LAPEYRE JR

President and CEO

The Laitram Corporation

Lapeyre is president of a diversified global manufacturer of plastic conveyor belting, high-speed package sorting, shrimp processing equipment and space-saving stairs. The Harahan-based company began in 1943, when Lapeyre’s father invented a shrimp-peeling machine. Lapeyre is board chair of seismic tech company ION Geophysical and active in many New Orleans civic organizations.

Education: Tulane University (MBA, JD), The University of Texas (BA) First Job: “Living in Europe, catching fish in Lake Geneva and selling them in the open fish market” Nonprofit Cause: “The Atlas Society, [which promotes] reason, achievements, benevolence and ethical self-interest as foundations for personal happiness and a flourishing society”

MANUFACTURING

LYLE LeBLANC

Founder

Scale Workspace + Scale Innovations

LeBlanc launched his company in 2020 as two distinct brands focused on additive manufacturing (aka 3D printing), each with wide-ranging capabilities. Among its notable projects, Scale designed, prototyped and produced PPE for Ochsner Health in anticipation of shortages, delivering 100,000 face shields for essential workers in nine weeks.

Education: Fordham University (BA) Hidden Gem: “It’s hard to beat Pal’s Lounge. Best Fest: Bayou Boogaloo Advice: “Ask for help before you need it.” On the Horizon: “Working with UNO to design electric boats tailored for our coastal waters” Heroes: “My parents. Easily the most influential people in my life.”