Investments

FINANCIAL SERVICES

DAVID S. THOMAS JR

CEO

Equitas Capital Advisors

After 20 years with Wall Street firms, Thomas formed his independent company, Equitas Capital Advisors, in 2002. Thomas serves as an outside chief investment officer for family offices, foundations, endowments, universities and corporations. He has also written several articles for Forbes and other publications, and he authors the KnowRisk Report for his investors.

Education: Belmont University (BBA) Go-to Restaurant: Mr. B’s On the Horizon: “Expanding out of state and doing more work with family offices” Advice: “Treat your investments like a business.” Hidden Gem: Ye Olde College Inn Heroes: Elon Musk and Warren Buffet Nonprofit Cause: “The church”

FINANCIAL SERVICES

ST. DENIS “SANDY” VILLERE III

Partner and Portfolio Manager

Villere & Co.

Villere started his career as an institutional research analyst and equity sell-side analyst with Gerard Klauer Mattison, a Wall Street institutional equity research firm. In 1999, he joined the company his great-great-grandfather started in 1911 to launch and manage the firm’s first mutual fund. Today, he manages fixed income strategies for high net-worth individual investors, families and institutions.

Education: Southern Methodist University (BS) Nonprofit Cause: Carrollton Boosters Advice: “There are three types of people: those that make things happen, those that watch things happen and those that wonder what happened.” Go-to Restaurant: Saffron Hero: “My father”

INVESTMENTS

BOYSIE BOLLINGER

CEO

Bollinger Enterprises

This shipyard magnate recently donated $3 million to UNO to fund engineering scholarships and upgrades to campus equipment. In gratitude, the university renamed the marine engineering program in his honor. Founded as a small machine shop on the banks of Bayou Lafourche in 1946, Bollinger’s company has become a leading designer and builder of maritime vessels.

Education: University of Louisiana at Lafayette (BS) Nonprofit Cause: National World War II Museum Go-to Restaurant: Galatoire’s Advice: “Always tell the truth. Your word is your bond.” Hidden Gem: Café Minh Hobby/Passion: “Travel, hunting and fishing” Best Fest: Jazz Fest

INVESTMENTS

MIKE ECKERT

Chairman

NO/LA Angel Network

Eckert was a member of the original launch team of the Weather Channel and Weather. com, where he served as president and CEO for 14 years. He’s been an angel investor since 1997, and he leads the NO/LA Angel Network, a group of 135 high-net-worth individuals in the New Orleans area that helps launch new businesses to boost the local economy and promote new ideas.

Education: Northern Illinois University (MS), DePaul University (BS) Advice: “Be true to yourself.” Hero: Senator Bill Cassidy Hidden Gem: Seither’s Seafood in Harahan Best Fest: Jazz Fest Go-to Restaurant: August On the Horizon: “Possibly raising a new fund”

INVESTMENTS

KRIS KHALIL

Executive Director

New Orleans BioInnovation Center

Khalil helms a private, nonprofit business incubator that aims to develop bioscience innovation in Louisiana. As managing director of the BioFund, he invests millions of dollars in companies seeking to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities. The center says these startups have collectively raised above $250 million in private funding and have hired more than 1,000 employees in the U.S.

Education: Tulane University (MBA), Louisiana State University (BS) Nonprofit Cause: STEM NOLA, Zeus’ Rescues, Dream Street Advice: “Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others and expect nothing in return.” Hidden Gem: “The Milk Bar on Carrollton for amazing sandwiches!”

INVESTMENTS

FRANK B. STEWART JR

Chairman

Frank B. Stewart Jr Foundation / Stewart Capital

Stewart served as the CEO of Stewart Enterprises, a Louisiana-based firm founded in 1910 that grew to be one of the country’s largest providers of products and services in the death care industry. He now heads Stewart Capital, a venture capital firm, one of the largest privately held investment companies in the Gulf South. He’s a major supporter of Tulane’s A. B. Freeman School of Business.

Education: Tulane University (BBA) Boards: Boy Scouts of America Southeast Louisiana Council, Crimestoppers, Greater New Orleans Council of the Navy League of the U.S., New Orleans Museum of Art, Tulane University, Volunteers of America President’s Council Did You Know? Stewart served two years of active duty as an officer in U.S. Navy. BIZNEWORLEANS.COM

REAL ESTATE

Architecture Construction Engineering Real Estate

PHOTO BY ADRIENNE BATTISTELLA Jackie Dadakis, CEO of Green Coast Enterprises, developed or co-developed the Pythian Building on Loyola Avenue, the New Orleans Homeownership Center on Freret Street and the Greenway Apartments in Mid-City. PG 75