NEW ORLEANS — For the second year in a row, Cure has been included on North America’s 50 Best Bars list. The Freret Street craft cocktail bar takes the No. 47 spot for 2024.
North America’s 50 Best Bars is part of the 50 Best brand, published by William Reed. The annual ranking reflects the best bar experiences in the region based on the votes of an academy made up of 270 bar industry experts
“We are so honored to be recognized again this year. The inclusion validates our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity, even while holding steady in vision and intent–as a classic cocktail bar,” said Cure founder Neal Bodenheimer. “I’m so proud of our team and the excellence they embody year-over-year.”
Cure was recognized with a James Beard Award for “Outstanding Bar Program” in 2018, and it earned spots on the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2014 and the North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023 list.
Cure marks its 15 year anniversary in 2024.
More recent awards and honors:
Emeril’s has received the AAA Five Diamond designation. It is the first and only Louisiana restaurant to attain the honor. “We are honored to receive the acclaimed Five Diamond designation from AAA,” said Emeril’s Chef Patron E.J. Lagasse. “This award reflects the commitment and dedication of our team to provide guests with exceptional hospitality throughout their visit and take it to the next level.” There are roughly 60 restaurants and 130 hotels on the AAA Five Diamond list. To earn the designation, hotels and restaurants must pass an evaluation that includes unannounced, in-person inspections, and anonymous overnight stays for hotels, and a review by a panel of experts as a final step to ensure credibility. All AAA Diamond Program hotels and restaurants are re-evaluated annually to ensure they provide the best experience for travelers and diners.
The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana will present its Coastal Stewardship Lifetime Achievement Award to Steve Cochran this May. Cochran, who is retired, was the first executive director of the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation (now known as Pontchartrain Conservancy) and former member of the Governor’s Commission for Coastal Affairs and the CPRA Coastal Advisory Task Force. He also served as executive director of Restore the Mississippi River Delta and in several roles at the Environmental Defense Fund.
Recently, S&P Global Market Intelligence released its annual rankings for 2023’s best- performing community banks with assets between $3 billion and $10 billion. S&P Global Market Intelligence ranks institutions based on their returns, growth and efficiency and places a premium on the strength and risk profile of the financial institution. Based on the S&P Global Market Intelligence criteria, Red River Bank is ranked No. 15 out of the top 50 banks nationwide. “This national recognition by S&P Global Market Intelligence for the second year in a row is an honor for Red River Bank. To know we are one of the Top 15 banks in the country is a powerful testament to our strong, stable banking practices in which we take a lot of pride,” said Blake Chatelain, president and CEO of Red River Bank. “As we celebrate a quarter of a century this year, our beliefs in the importance of operating a customer-oriented and well-capitalized bank remain as strong today as on the day we opened.”
Dr. Richard “Dick” Dalton — who is the senior medical director for Louisiana Healthcare Connections — was awarded the 2024 Founders Award by the Louisiana Public Health Association at its annual meeting awards luncheon. “Dr. Dalton’s groundbreaking work in the behavioral health arena has had a profound impact on public health in Louisiana,” said Sundée Winder, president of the Louisiana Public Health Association. “His passion for improving mental health outcomes, particularly among children and adolescents, is truly commendable.”
DG Fuels, a sustainable aviation fuel company, announces its inclusion on the list of the 50 Hottest Companies in the Bioeconomy for the second consecutive year. The annual ranking is presented by The Biofuels Digest, a publication in the sector with a global readership exceeding 6.1 million. “We are pleased to be recognized alongside distinguished colleagues in the bioeconomy field,” said Michael C. Darcy, CEO of DG Fuels. “This acknowledgment reflects DG Fuels’ diligent efforts and commitment to global sustainability endeavors as we deploy our scalable and highly efficient SAF technology.”
Jones Walker has received the BTI Consulting Group’s ranking as 17th in the annual BTI Client Service A-Team 2024 report, joining the publication’s BTI Client Service 30 for the second consecutive year. The firm has been listed as an A-Team member for many years, entering the elite 30 at number 29 in 2023. “Exceptional client service has been a firm priority for more than eight decades, and each year we make a concerted effort to evolve with our clients and learn how to better serve their specific legal needs. We are proud that our collective efforts have not only allowed us to remain in the elite 30 but achieve a 12-spot jump this year,” said Jones Walker managing partner Bill Hines.
The Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association has announced that Eric Lane, owner of Gerry Lane Enterprises in Baton Rouge, has been named the 2024 Louisiana Dealer of the Year. “Eric Lane has long been a valuable member of the dealer community, offering mentorship and fostering camaraderie in our industry,” said Coulter McMahen, president and CEO of LADA. “Even more impactful though, is his commitment to service with organizations throughout the capital region. Eric Lane is a testament to all that Louisiana’s auto dealers provide to our state and communities.”
On May 16, Billy Weales, The Blood Center’s president and CEO, will be honored with the Ronald O. Gilcher, MD Award in St. Louis during the Association for Blood Donor Professionals annual conference. Weales, a 35-year veteran of the blood banking industry, has served as the president/CEO of The Blood Center in New Orleans for the past 17 years. “As the company’s leader, he has accomplished many objectives, including adding new hospital partnerships and revenue areas, ensuring that TBC is involved in new and developing software systems and businesses, adding to our benefits package and compensation, and much more,” said a spokesperson.
Metairie- based Wealth Management Advisor Emmett Dupas III has earned a ranking on the 2024 Forbes Top Wealth Advisors “Best-In-State” list. The Forbes ranking of America’s Top Wealth Advisors and Best-In-State Wealth Advisors, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria learned through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data such as revenue trends and assets under management. Dupas has been with Northwestern Mutual since 2003. His practice, Bienville Capital Group, focuses on financial and retirement planning, qualified plans, and risk management solutions. “I’m proud of our team,” he said. “It is an honor to be included on this prestigious list once again. This celebrates the work that we are doing to help individuals, businesses, and their employees achieve successful retirement outcomes.”
The School of Communication and Design at Loyola University New Orleans will induct Liz Scott Monaghan into its Den of Distinction at a May 9 reception at The Chloe, 4125 St. Charles Avenue. Monaghan, who graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 1964, is an author, journalist and business owner, as well as a longtime journalism instructor at Loyola. The Den of Distinction – the school’s alumni hall of fame – honors individuals who have distinguished themselves by a lifetime of accomplishments or extraordinary achievement.
Synergy Design Group, which provides trade show design and branded experiences, has secured two 2024 Gold Awards at the Hermes Creative Awards. The Hermes Creative Awards are an international competition administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. For 18 years, the awards have honored the “messengers and creators of the information revolution” by recognizing excellence in traditional and emerging media. Two Gold Awards were awarded to Synergy for its work on the Maritime Partners’ 20×80 exhibit. Synergy took gold in both the Trade Show Exhibit and Event Marketing categories.
