News and Updates

WHAT NEW ORLEANS NEIGHBORHOOD DO YOU LIVE IN? / WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?

I currently live in the Gentilly neighborhood in New Orleans. I grew up in the St. Bernard Housing Projects.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB TO US!

I am the Chief Executive Officer of the New Orleans Recreation Development (NORD) Commission. My job is exciting, fast-paced, rewarding, and critical to the families across the City of New Orleans. In the role of NORD CEO, I am responsible for planning, organizing, and managing more than 200 full and part-time employees, as well as community programs and events for NORD; I also oversee development, implementation, and administration of NORD policies, programs, facilities, and day to day operations. With a portfolio of more than 100 public parks, recreation centers, playgrounds and facilities, my days are usually very busy. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH. 

I started my career path as a Volunteer Coach with NORD, then joined the department full time as a Rec Center Manager II at St. Bernard Recreation Center. I left NORD for a Senior Programs Coordinator position with Tulane University. While at Tulane, I remained an active Volunteer Coach at NORD’s Willie Hall Playground until after Hurricane Katrina. I then returned to NORD after Katrina as the Director (now known as the CEO position). I worked at NORD for a few years before leaving to work with the Children's Defense Fund in New Orleans. I left that role for a role at the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), as DBE/Section 3 Program Manager. In 2018, following a unanimous vote from the NORD Commission, I returned to the department in my current role as CEO of NORD.

WHAT ASPECTS OF YOUR JOB DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

What I enjoy most about my job at NORD is providing quality programming, events, and critical resources to residents across the City of New Orleans.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FIND TO BE THE GREATEST IN YOUR ROLE? 

A few of my challenges in this role include managing such a large portfolio of facilities and maintenance of those facilities. It is imperative that all our facilities are safe and operable for the public. It is also challenging to personally support and participate in the vast number of programs and events offered at NORD. I do my best to support the staff and residents as often as possible during their experience and time at NORD.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT NEW ORLEANS? 

My favorite thing about New Orleans is the culture, and the people.