Kathleen Turner

NEW ORLEANS - Yesterday, Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the French Market Corporation formally announced the selection of Kathleen Turner as the agency's new Executive Director. Turner was selected unanimously by the French Market Corporation's Board of Directors during its August meeting. As executive director, Turner will serve in a leadership capacity for all French Market properties, including the Upper Pontalba Building, Washington Artillery Park, Dutch Alley, Latrobe Park, Farmer's Market, Flea Market, French Market Parking Lot, Farmer's Market Parking Lot, Annex Parking Lot and Moonwalk. Turner takes over as full-time Executive Director from Jade Brown Russell who had served as Interim Executive Director after Jon Smith resigned in January.



Since 1999, Turner has worked as a General Manager for SMG, an international public facility management company, and oversaw day-to-day operations of a number of local venues. Since 2006, Turner had served as General Manager of the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center in Kenner, LA. She was responsible for the day-to-day operations of that multipurpose convention center which presents over 250 events annually with 400,000 visitors each year. She also oversaw that facility's $7 million post-Hurricane Katrina restoration as well as an additional $4 million in upgrades. Before that, Turner was General Manager of the New Orleans Cultural Center and was responsible for management and operations of the Mahalia Jackson Theatre of Performing Arts and the Morris F.X. Jeff Municipal Auditorium. In Richmond, VA, Turner served as General Manager of the Richmond Coliseum.



"Kathleen has extensive professional experience in facilities management and is a natural choice to lead the French Market Corporation, one of New Orleans' greatest gems," said Mayor Landrieu. "The French Market has seen tremendous growth in recent years as it has become a premier destination for both residents and visitors alike and I know that Kathleen will embrace this opportunity to further enhance the market."



With a history dating back over 200 years, the French Market is the nation's oldest public market and an enduring symbol of New Orleans. The vibrant, open-air pavilions of the Market include a farmer's market with full-service eateries, fresh produce, seafood, baked goods and a flea market where merchants from around the world sell clothing, antiques, art, jewelry and other goods.



The French Market attracts an over 8 million visitors each year and has tenant-generated sales of approximately $30 million.



As executive director, Turner will be responsible for an operation and capital budget of approximately $12 million and a staff of 54 civil service employees.



Kathleen Turner, Executive Director of the French Market Corporation, said, "I am honored and elated to be selected to lead the French Market Corporation. As an enduring symbol of pride and progress for the people of New Orleans, our historic French Market has seen incredible growth in recent years and it is my goal to further enhance its position as a vital component for our city."



Demetric Mercadel, President of the French Market Corporation Board of Directors, said, "We are excited to have Kathleen on board as the Executive Director of the French Market Corporation. Her extensive background in general management of public facilities will be a huge asset as we continue to grow the French Market."



Earlier in her career, Turner was a Company Manager for national touring Broadway productions.



Turner holds a degree from Emerson College in theater education. She is First Vice President of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, Longvue House and Gardens and serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the New Orleans Building Corporation.

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NEW ORLEANS - A Southern University System Board of Supervisors' Chancellor Search Committee, charged with assisting the SU System with selecting a new chancellor for Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), announces two finalists for the position.

The final candidates are:

Lisa Mims-Devezin

Boyce C. Williams

Lisa Mims-Devezin, interim chancellor, Southern University at New Orleans, has a bachelor of science in biology/pre-med from SUNO, a master of science in biology/microbiology and a Ph.D. in science/math education from Southern University Baton Rouge.

Boyce C. Williams, president and chief executive officer, The National Alliance of Learning, Incorporated, has a bachelor of arts from Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), and a master of arts in urban counseling/psychology and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Michigan State University.''

SU System President-Chancellor Ray L. Belton will present the candidates for final interviews and consideration to the SU Board of Supervisors during its October meeting.

"I commend the search committee for their able efforts and commitment to the charge of identifying a potential leader for Southern New Orleans. As SUNO celebrates its 60th year, finding an ideal individual to lead the campus into the future is critical. Dr. Mims-Devezin and Dr. Williams are excellent candidates who possess the experience, knowledge, and vision to ably meet the challenge," said Belton.

The 19-member search team, co-chaired by Charles Rice, chief executive officer, Entergy New Orleans, and Gloria B. Moultrie, vice chancellor for community outreach and university advancement, SUNO, was charged with screening and recommending final candidates to replace Victor Ukpolo who stepped down June 30, 2016.

About the SU System

The Southern University System was created in 1974 by constitutional mandate, which fashioned it into the nation's only historically black 1890 Land-Grant University System. The System is composed of five institutions: Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Baton Rouge (est. 1880), Southern University Law Center (est. 1947), Southern University at New Orleans (est. 1956), Southern University Shreveport (est. 1964), and the Southern University Cooperative Extension Program (est. 1972), which became the fifth component of the System in 2001 and is now named Southern University Agricultural, Research and Extension Center.

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NEW ORLEANS - The University of New Orleans International Alumni Association announced that Mark C. Romig has been selected as the 2016 University of New Orleans Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumni honoree. The alumni association will present Romig with its highest honor at the Distinguished Alumni Gala, which will be held at the National WWII Museum's United States Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center on Thursday, Nov. 3, from 7-10 p.m. The event will also celebrate the investiture of the University's seventh leader, President John W. Nicklow, who will be formally installed during an on-campus ceremony on Nov. 2.

As president and CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC), Romig has distinguished himself as an influential leader in the city's tourism industry. He is also the stadium announcer for the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

 
"I credit my alma mater for helping shape the person I have become," said Romig, who earned a bachelor's degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism administration from UNO in 1978. "I have always believed that service to my community is of utmost importance and our responsibility as citizens, and I learned that by watching the example the University of New Orleans has exhibited through the years."

His past volunteer service is also exemplary. From serving as the board leader for the Sugar Bowl Committee, Idea Village, Project Lazarus, Xavier University, Fontainebleau Improvement Association and Southern Repertory Theatre, Romig has made an impact on both the hospitality industry and the quality of life in his hometown. He coordinated the city's participation in the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, which included the 2012 NOLA Navy Week as well as the 2015 NOLA Navy Week. He also served on the Battle of New Orleans Bicentennial Commission and the Host Committee for Super Bowl XLVII. He has also been president of Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) International Fraternity.

 
Romig currently serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's Tourism and Travel Advisory Council as well as the boards for the Fore!Kids Foundation, Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Audubon Nature Institute, Volunteers Network, Covenant House of New Orleans and Fidelity Bank.

 
Romig was previously the vice president of marketing and public relations for HCA Inc.- Delta Division and, prior to that, he spent sixteen years at Peter A. Mayer Advertising and was president of the public relations division. He also served as vice president of public affairs for Hibernia National Bank and was director of protocol and guest relations for the 1984 World's Fair. He was on the staff of the U.S. Department of Transportation as well as the Bob Dole for President Committee.

 
"Mark Romig epitomizes what a metropolitan public university is all about with his deep sense of responsibility to building a vibrant community," said Barbara Johnson, chair of the Distinguished Alumni Gala. "As a major industry player, positioning New Orleans as a world-class destination and economic driver, to his civic leadership in education, entrepreneurship and neighborhoods, Mark has distinguished himself as a selfless champion of striving for the very best we can be together as community."

 
Romig is the 33rd honoree to receive the Homer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumnus award. Previous recipients include engineer and executive Roy Glapion, Sheriff Newell Normand, television news executive Kim Bondy, Gambit Communications Chairman Clancy DuBos and former Lieutenant Governor Melinda Schwegmann. The honoree is selected by a committee of former award recipients. The Distinguished Alumni Gala will also recognize a distinguished alumnus from each of University's colleges.

The 2016 Distinguished Alumni Gala is the culmination of a weeklong schedule of events entitled "Making History: A Celebration of University of New Orleans Leadership," which will include a public lecture and the investiture ceremony of UNO President John W. Nicklow.

 
The gala will be a major civic event to strengthen community engagement and pride in UNO, and prominently celebrate the University's important contributions to the city and region. The gala's venue is a testament to UNO's lasting impact on the community-the National WWII Museum was conceived in UNO's history department by professors Stephen Ambrose and Nick Mueller, who currently serves as the museum's president and CEO.

 
Proceeds from the Distinguished Alumni Gala will increase funding for student scholarships and support the UNO Alumni Association's programming to ensure student success and alumni engagement.

For information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.gala.uno.edu . 

 

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The University of New Orleans (UNO) International Alumni Association promotes the long-term welfare of the University, its students and alumni, and serves as the vehicle through which all university alumni, friends and community members can support UNO ( www.unoalumni.com ).

 

The University of New Orleans (UNO ) is a major research university in one of the world's most fascinating cities. For more than 50 years, it has been one of the city's foremost public resources, offering a diverse set of world-class, research-based programs, advancing shared knowledge and adding to the city's industry, culture and economy. Since 1958, UNO has educated students from all 64 Louisiana parishes, all 50 states in the United States and more than 130 countries. Today UNO offers more than 40 undergraduate and pre-professional programs and more than 40 graduate programs.

 

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