Sports

RESTAURANTS

SOPHINA UONG

Chef/Owner Mister Mao

When Uong was a child, her family fled from war-torn Cambodia and found refuge in California. There, the self-taught chef grew up surrounded by families and food. For 25 years, she has worked in nearly every position in the restaurant business. She’s won many awards, including a big one from the Food Network, and is active in civic affairs. She set up shop in New Orleans in 2021.

Best Fest: Southern Decadence Hidden Gem: Plume Algiers On the Horizon: “Opening for Sunday dinner, purchasing our building and opening a bar” Advice: “Always give 100%, unless you’re donating blood!” Hobby: Thrifting Who Do You Admire: Chef José Andrés

RESTAURANTS

JENNIFER WEISHAUPT

Founder

Ruby Slipper Restaurant Group

After 16 years at Shell, Weishaupt used her knack for management and systems engineering to found a 22-unit restaurant group spanning five states. She and her family support local nonprofits through the Weishaupt Family Foundation and were honored with an Ella Brennan “Stand Up for Your Hometown” Award for aiding hospitality workers through their Lagniappe Krewe Emergency Relief Fund.

Education: Tulane University (MS), The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (BChE.) Hidden Gem: “The Wednesday happy hour at the bar at Saint-Germain is a favorite.” On the Horizon: “Ruby Slipper and Ruby Sunshine are celebrating their 15th year of operation, and we’re opening a restaurant in Charleston, S.C.”

SPORTS

DR. KIKI BARNES

Commissioner

Gulf Coast Athletic Conference

This award-winning sports executive leads and empowers athletic programs and organizations, provides strategic consulting to national sports organizations, and facilitates mentoring and leadership development opportunities. She founded the “So You Want a Career in Athletics” program and served as athletic director at Dillard University for 16 years. She’s active in civic affairs.

Education: University of New Orleans (PhD), University of Louisiana at Lafayette (MS), University of New Orleans (BGS) Advice: “Identify your gift/talent, then develop it and find ways to use it to make a difference.” Hobby: “I love practicing my bass guitar and learning new automation and technology hacks.” Go-to Restaurant: Neyow’s Creole Cafe

SPORTS

GAYLE BENSON

Owner

New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Pelicans

In addition to owning New Orleans’ two professional sports teams, Benson owns Faubourg Brewery, several car dealerships, and other businesses that trace back to her late husband, Tom Benson. In 2021, she purchased Corporate Realty. With a net worth of nearly $4 billion, she’s the wealthiest person in Louisiana and a philanthropist known for her dedication to the region.

On the Horizon: “A Super Bowl victory and an NBA championship!” Fave Parade: “We have so many extraordinary krewes that choosing one would be almost impossible. I truly enjoy the costumes and the talent that goes into building the floats.” Advice: “Tough times don’t last but tough people do.”

SPORTS

JAY CICERO

President

Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation

Once the general manager of the Zephyrs, Cicero has led the GNOSF since 1997. It’s a nonprofit with a mandate to attract major sporting events to the region and manage them once they’re here. Some of the organization’s more notable successes include the NCAA Final Four, NBA All-Star Games, Wrestlemania and several NFL Super Bowls (1997, 2002, 2013 and 2025).

Education: Louisiana Tech University (BS) On the Horizon: “Serving as the staff of the 2025 Super Bowl Host Committee” Nonprofit Cause: St. Michael Special School Go-to Restaurant: Clancy’s Hidden Gem: Cafe Amelie Honors: In 2022, Cicero was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

SPORTS

KYLE FRANCE

Chairman of the Board

Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District

France is the head of a state agency/political subdivision that owns and runs the John A. Alario Center, the Caesars Superdome, the Smoothie King Center, the Saints training facility, TPC Louisiana and the “Shrine on Airline.” He is also a former chair of the board of trustees for the University of Holy Cross, and president of Kehoe-France Inc., which operates two schools.

Education: University of Holy Cross (M.Ed.), Louisiana State University (BS) Nonprofit Cause: Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center Go-to Restaurant: Galatoire’s Best Fest: Jazz Fest Advice: “Get up every day and do whatever you can to make a positive difference in one’s life.” Heroes: Teachers BIZNEWORLEANS.COM

SPORTS

RISA HALL

Senior Director, Administration and Major Events

Allstate Sugar Bowl

This Missouri native first came south to attend Xavier University. Since then, she’s worked both in New Orleans and Houston for various sports-related organizations, including the Houston Texans, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and, since 2018, the Allstate Sugar Bowl. In June 2022, she completed a sports business program at the Harvard Business School.

Education: University of North Texas (MA), Xavier University of Louisiana (BA) Go-to Restaurant: Chemin à la Mer Advice: “Try to understand others rather than trying to be understood. Often, things aren’t happening to you, but for you. Try not to take negative circumstances personally.” Heroes: Michelle Obama and Rachel Robinson

SPORTS

JEFF HUNDLEY

CEO

Sugar Bowl

A part of the Sugar Bowl for more than 25 years, Hundley officially took over as lead executive in 2019. He is responsible for finalizing an arrangement with the SEC and the Big 12 conferences to host the top teams from each league eight times over a 12-year period, while also securing the Sugar Bowl as one of the four national semifinal games in college football.

Education: Western Illinois University (MSA), University of Iowa (BS) Go-to Restaurant: Brennan’s Hero: “My dad” Nonprofit Cause: TEAM 5:18 Dream Career: “Play the bass in an R&B band” Advice: “Humility is not a bad thing. It’s possible to be confident and humble at the same time.”

SPORTS

DENNIS LAUSCHA

President

New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Pelicans

Starting out his career as a CPA, this New Orleans native and Jesuit grad worked for a financial services firm before starting his decades-long career with the Saints and Pelicans. He first joined the organization in 1998 as treasurer and rose through the executive ranks. His tenure as president, which began in 2012, coincides with an era of significant growth for both teams.

Education: Loyola University (MBA), University of Alabama (BS) Advice: “Be a man for others.” Hidden Talent: Basketball Go-to Restaurant: “No way ... that’s like picking a favorite child.” Fave Jazz Fest Food: Gumbo Best Fest: Saints training camp

SPORTS

ERIC JON STUART

Race Director

Crescent City Classic

Stuart has been running and competing almost his entire life, even earning a track scholarship to attend college. After a 25-year career in management at Hewlett Packard, he retired early to pursue his dream career. In 2012, he began managing the Crescent City Classic, where he handles all aspects of a road race that attracts more than 25,000 people annually.

Education: Louisiana State University (MA, BS) Best Fest: “The Michelob Ultra post-race festival at the Crescent City Classic, of course!” Hidden Gem: Gennaro’s Bar in Old Metairie Go-to Restaurant: Clancy’s Hero: “My 91-year-old mom. She wakes up every day with a smile and makes the most of every waking hour.”

SPORTS

DOUG THORNTON

Executive Vice President

ASM Global

Thornton joined ASM’s predecessor as general manager of the Louisiana Superdome and New Orleans Arena in 1997. He led the $225 million renovation and reopening of the Superdome in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina. Now, a $450 million overhaul is bringing expanded concourses, new entry gates, escalators, enhanced food and beverage services and more.

Education: McNeese State University (BS), University of Houston Downtown (BS) First Job: Store clerk Nonprofit Cause: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Advice: “Follow your passion and never give up.” Hidden Talent: Cooking Poboy Pick: Oyster

SPORTS

STEVE WORTHY

CEO and Tournament Director

Zurich Classic / Fore!Kids Foundation

Director of the Zurich Classic — the area’s only PGA golf tournament — since 2012, Worthy is charged with everything from managing corporate sponsorships to organizing shuttle buses and recruiting players. In his leadership role at the Fore! Kids Foundation, he organizes and runs events — such as the Golf Ball Gala — that help raise money to fund children’s service organizations.

Education: Ohio University (MSA), Louisiana State University (BA) On the Horizon: “Attracting more fans” Go-to Restaurant: “Way too many to name!” Work Highlight: “That so many committed Fore!Kids members will donate their time and effort to put on a golf tournament that raises millions for children’s charities”

FINANCE

Banking Financial Services Investments

PHOTO BY EDMUND D. FOUNTAIN Guy Williams, longtime CEO of Gulf Coast Bank & Trust, is cofounder of the Pontchartrain Beach Foundation, a nonprofit working to restore and re-open the storied beach at the lake end of Elysian Fields Avenue. PG 60