What New Orleans neighborhood do you live in? / Where did you grow up?
Currently live in Lake Forest Estates, in eastern New Orleans. I grew up on the Westbank, in the Kennedy Heights neighborhood of Avondale but have always attended school in Orleans Parish, Corpus Christi Catholic School in the 7th ward, Xavier Prep High School and Xavier University of New Orleans.
Describe your job to us!
I serve as the Collector of Revenue, the Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Revenue in the Department of Finance. We are responsible for the administration, collection and enforcement of sales tax which results in more than $500 million annually shared primarily between the City of New Orleans General Fund, Orleans Parish School Board and the Regional Transit Authority.
Tell us about your career path.
I am a career long Finance employee, beginning as an Auditor Assistant for the Casino Unit in 1992, working my way up through Senior Auditor and ultimately as Revenue Collections Supervisor managing the Alcoholic Beverage Unit for more than 10 years. I was promoted to Collector of Revenue in 2006.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I most enjoy serving the City of New Orleans, the business community and working with a brilliant team of Revenue employees. I have an exceptional group of team-members who keep this machine running, meeting every challenge to make the City better and challenging me to improve and for that I am grateful. I also enjoy customer service, assisting new business owners realizing their entrepreneurial dream and thriving. This all helps to contribute to the City’s tax base and improve City services and the citizen’s quality of life.
What challenges do you find to be the greatest in your role?
The biggest challenge is getting my team the pay and recognition they deserve for their hard-work and continued commitment they’ve made to the City. Very few understand that not only are employees City workers but they are constituents as well, which can present it’s own challenges. It’s been more evident during the recent pandemic, our team had to manage personal adversities but remained steadfast to their professional obligation.
What is your favorite thing about New Orleans?
The culture of course! The food, the hospitality and certainly how we have a good time and how we can show each other a good time! Laissez le bons temps rouler!