FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Brittany Mulla McGovern
brittany@fqba.org
504.309.1423

On Thursday, January 26, 2017, in the Royal Sonesta New Orleans' Grand Ballroom, 288 attendees representing businesses and organizations from the French Quarter gathered at the French Quarter Business Association's Installation and Awards Dinner. Among the attendees were Representative Walter J. Leger III, Councilmember Jared Brossett, Councilmember Nadine Ramsey, New Orleans Police Department Eighth District Commander Nicholas Gernon, and NCIS: New Orleans Producer Joseph Zolfo. Businesses represented were Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, Cahn Enterprises, Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, Dickie Brennan & Company, FBT Film Credit, LLC, French Quarter Festivals, Inc., Kean Miller LLP, Kirkendoll Management, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, Patio Planters, RCI Entertainment, Royal Carriages, Southern Insurance Agency, State Bank & Trust, and The Historic New Orleans Collection. The Association has been a long standing recognized group for its dedication to enhancing the business climate in the French Quarter.

2017 Officers:
President - Tim Sprat, Kirkendoll Management
Vice President - Marci Schramm
Vice President - Zeid Ammari, Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts
Secretary/Treasurer - Louis Faust
At Large - Neil Anderson, GOPARK
At Large - Dr. Scott Griffith, The French Quarter Vet
Chairman of the Board - Robert Watters, RCI Entertainment 

2017 Board of Directors:
Sydney Anderson
Marica Mackenroth Brewster Jeremy DeBlieux
Matthew
Louis Faust
Levi Janssen
James Lauga, Jr.
Edgar J. Lazaro
Emily Liuzza
Vincent Marcello
Maggie Matlak
Dwyre McComsey
Lauren Noel
John O'Brien
Lori E. Paige
Robert Rizzuto
Gene Sausse
Tony Viloria
Shawn Walsh
Kathleen Wilkin
Mark Wilson

The evening's Master of Ceremonies was Nancy Parker of Fox 8's Morning Edition. This was her seventh year in this role and, as always, was a vibrant addition to the event.
The two awards presented:

The Fleur-de-lis Award, presented annually to an individual for their extraordinary dedication to our historic neighborhood, was awarded to Julie Sanford. Julie was recognized for her involvement with the Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans' many charitable events and her personal charitable affiliations in the French Quarter.

The Ambassador Award, which was created to recognize an individual member or member organization that understands the FQBA's mission and then goes above and beyond to assist the Association in achieving that goal, was awarded to NCIS: New Orleans Producer Joseph Zolfo. Joseph was recognized for sponsoring the FQBA's Vieux Carre Graffiti Abatement Program's biannual French Quarter graffiti cleanups and the FQBA's Holiday Breakfast for the past three years.

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