Mike joins the Mayors Office of Nighttime Economy as the Deputy Director. Ince most recently served as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of the Lt. Governor where he focused on a wide range of programs administered under the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism as well as legislative affairs for the Lt. Governor.

Prior to his time with the Lt. Governor’s Office, Mike served as the Director of Community Development for the City of Kenner. As a member of the administrative staff, he focused on housing and community revitalization strategies. Most notably as the founding Manager of the Rivertown Main Street program, and the Rivertown Arts Council.

Employing proven community revitalization strategies while working with small business owners has been a priority for Ince throughout his time in public service. He brings a diverse skill set in federal and state grant funding, legislative affairs and small business development throughout his 15 year career in state and local government.

Having experience in the food and beverage industry during High School and College, Mike has used that experience to maintain a sense of focus on workforce issues impacting the hospitality industry and the strong need for a voice within government that supports both workers and small business owners.

A graduate of the University of New Orleans with a Masters in Public Administration, and a B.S. in Applied Economics from Florida State University. He is also a Loyola Institute of Politics Fellow. 

On most weekends you can find him and his family pulling a wagon through the French Quarter with their brass band obsessed toddler, or sitting anywhere offering shade and a cold beverage.

Howie Kaplan is the Director of the newly created office of Nighttime Economy for the greatest city in the world, and the birthplace of modern music, New Orleans. Since 2000 he has been the owner and operator of the multi room venue, the Howlin' Wolf. For over 17 years he has been the manager of the Grammy Award Winning Rebirth Brass Band.

Howie is also a precinct captain for the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) that was responsible for the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) and was crucial in saving independent venues, movie theatres, Broadway, Performing Arts Centers and non- profits that were devastated through the pandemic closures.

At the beginning of the covid shutdowns he started Meals for Musicians. This program, in conjunction with the New Orleans Musicians Clinic was responsible for distributing over 60,000 meals and assisting culture bearers and first responders in accessing health care, housing assistance and unemployment payments. Mr. Kaplan also received the SBA Phoenix award for his efforts after Hurricane Ida severed all power to the city. Working with supplies donated from over 100 restaurants and hundreds of volunteers, they created over 20,000 meals in eight days in a makeshift street kitchen.