Todd James, Director of External Affairs at Broadmoor, LLC and a New Orleans native, knew as a six-year-old that he wanted a career in the construction industry. His earliest inspiration came from his grandfather, Chuck Mercadel, the first Black construction superintendent in Louisiana who also went on to start his own family construction business.
“Ever since that age, I was always curious about architecture,” James said. “It was a big part of propelling how I invested my time in drawing, something that was fun to do as a kid and stuck with me as I got to high school.”
Architecture always seemed to be James’ main point of interest throughout his time attending St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. He then went on to pursue this passion in college where he received a degree in architecture at Tuskegee University. During his college years, he’d maintained involvement with St. Augustine and was invited back by Father Doyle to help learn about how the school would undergo its first expansion in 1999. This is when James was introduced to Billes Manning Architects.
Building community isn’t just what James’ job entails, it’s also the core of his character. Going from the six-year-old who was obsessed with drawing maps to where he is today has been a journey of making connections. People who know him like to say, “Todd knows everyone.” It seems this statement is true.
James also spent the interim interning with HRI Properties where he had his first opportunity to work with contractors and architects together. This experience is what ultimately inspired him to focus on planning and design professionally. Following graduation, he moved back to New Orleans for his first full-time position with Billes Manning Architects working on various projects across town before Hurricane Katrina.
Each step James takes in this industry are driven by lessons his mother, Demeritc Mercadel, instilled in him.
“She helped me to really understand the importance of civic engagement and how important it is to really make sure that you serve your community above all,” James said.
This profession is a revolving door of opportunity to give back to the community. One major example was his involvement in the city’s recovery program following Hurricane Katrina.
“It kind of came second nature,” James began. “Largely because even as a kid, I felt as if though I studied the city from a map standpoint.” His knowledge of the New Orleans allowed him to contribute to rebuilding efforts. I always wanted to figure out what I could do along the lines and help to start the next big investment opportunity,” James said.
The next big opportunity lies within his current role at Broadmoor. As Director of External Affairs, James gives guidance to development projects and helps to support the regulatory process for all their partners and clients. He has also been able to spend time helping manage the infrastructure and planning process for the River District, a project that resonates with him personally.
“I remember as a kid walking the World’s Fair job site with my grandfather and seeing how big that was for the New Orleans Riverfront,” James said. “I always wanted to come back and do my contribution in his footsteps. That’s a big part of why I have so much commitment to this development project.”
Being part of the Broadmoor team has allowed him to fulfill his own purpose in a professional setting. Of the five “Core Purposes,” that drive Broadmoor as a company, James’ said he specifically connects to two of them: “Perpetuate The Legacy By Being Part Of Something Special,” and “We Treat Our People Like Family.”
“These are not just a series of core values that we put on the board for sales,” James began. “Everybody on our team lives and breathes them every day. Once I saw that our work family really lived them, it helped me echo that same movement and start to see how I can live them in my day-to-day life too.”
“Leave the space better than the way you found it.’ If I don’t provide some level of growth for the community as a whole, then I don’t know if I’ve really achieved my core value.”
James is actively involved in various civic and economic development organizations, including GNO, Inc., Public Belt Railroad, City of New Orleans Board of Zoning Adjustments and Young Leadership Council.
“My time spent with every last one of those organizations actually helped me to learn how to be a better steward for business and for future economic growth, not just for New Orleans but for the entire state,” James said.
This goes hand in hand with one of his personal core values: “Leave the space better than the way you found it.”
“If I don’t provide some level of growth for the community as a whole, then I don’t know if I’ve really achieved my core value,” James said.
Each project he peruses, perpetuates not only the legacy of being part of something special, but also the legacy of his grandfather. However, it’s his own footsteps that leave his community walking on a better path this time. Six-year-old James would be proud.
