That’s what a new year means. And who wouldn’t want that after the year we’ve just had? Does anything really change from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1? No. But our mentality does, and that’s a powerful thing. There’s just something about wiping the slate clean that can make you feel like anything is possible, and man do we all need that boost right now.
One thing 2020 did give us was an incredible class of Executives of the Year. This is the fifth year Biz New Orleans is honoring some of our region’s top leaders and every year is different. We purposely don’t set a number of spots to fill or industries we have to cover, instead we let the year’s events and news dictate who we choose to call attention to. This year, as our region and world were challenged in ways we’ve never seen before, we looked for the first time not to the biggest deal makers, but to the big helpers. We looked at the industries that have been — and continue to be — hit hardest, and within them sought out the innovators, the changemakers who are getting it done.
And for our fifth CEO of the Year, the Biz team is thrilled to have Quentin Messer joining an elite group that includes past honorees Matt Schwartz and Chris Papamichael with The Domain Companies, Warner Thomas with Ochsner Health System, Michael Hecht with GNO, Inc., and Kevin Dolliole with the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Quentin continues to be an unapologetic cheerleader for New Orleans who, at the same time, leads a dynamic team determined to make sure the economy works for everyone. I can’t think of a better mission, especially now.
I’ll end with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that I’m loving right now. “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
A huge congratulations to all our 2020 Executives of the Year. Keep up the good fight!
Happy New Year and thank you for reading,
Kimberley Singletary, Managing Editor
