NEW ORLEANS – The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans announced its selection of Arnie D. Fielkow as the new chief executive officer.
Fielkow was selected after a comprehensive national search and will return to New Orleans, where he and his family previously resided from 2000-2011. Fielkow will succeed federation Executive Director Michael Weil, who is stepping down at the end of September and returning to Israel.
"I am extremely excited to join the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans as its new executive officer," said Fielkow. "For more than 100 years, the federation has been a major part of bettering the greater New Orleans Jewish and non-Jewish communities—and it is an absolute honor and a privilege to be afforded the opportunity to work with federation's dedicated Board of Trustees, other organizational leaders and federation’s constituent and beneficiary agencies in once again giving back to a community my family and I dearly love. The Jewish Federation has tremendous untapped potential and we are so excited to return home!"
Since 1913, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans has served as the central address for philanthropy and advocacy for the local Jewish community, and as a leading force in the revitalization of the greater New Orleans area post-Katrina under the leadership of Michael Weil, reps said. Through its extensive development efforts, the federation supports more than a dozen Jewish affiliate agencies throughout the New Orleans area, collaborating with those organizations to strengthen the New Orleans community at large. The federation has launched recent community partnerships and outreach with the New Orleans area African-American, Catholic and Muslim communities, as well as a community-wide partnership to combat New Orleans homelessness and poverty, called Nourish.
Most recently, Fielkow served as president and CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. During his NBRPA tenure, Fielkow helped the association reach unprecedented financial success, doubled the NBRPA membership levels, and helped grow membership programming and key business and community partnerships, including with the NBA, the NBRPA’s long-time supporter, reps said.
Fielkow previously served as the twice-elected, citywide president of the New Orleans City Council. During his six-year tenure in public office, Fielkow was a leading force in the rebuilding of New Orleans post-Katrina, helping lead the council's efforts in improving city finances, economic development, youth development, recreation, contracting, and governmental transparency.
Fielkow also served as the executive vice president of the New Orleans Saints where he led the NFL franchise's business, marketing, regional sales and governmental efforts.
Federation President Dr. Edward L. Soll said, "Arnie’s return to New Orleans as our chief executive gives the federation an experienced community leader to continue the dynamic progress we’ve achieved in the decade since Katrina. We welcome Arnie and his family back home and celebrate Arnie’s new leadership role in our community.”
Henry A. Miller, federation president-elect, said, "I look forward to working with Arnie as he assumes the office of chief executive. His professional accomplishments are stellar and I am highly confident he will lead the federation and community to unprecedented success in the coming years. I also want to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the search committee who were so dedicated and worked conscientiously and tirelessly to ensure a successful outcome. Special appreciation to Rea Kurzweil, search consultant working with us through JFNA’s Mandel Center for Leadership Excellence for all her guidance and leadership as well."
"Arnie has done a tremendous job taking the National Basketball Retired Players Association to the next level," said NBRPA Chairman of the Board Dwight Davis. "He has had a strong presence with our business partners, whose respect he quickly earned, and he has well served our members. We thank Arnie for his outstanding and tireless contributions to our association and wish him continued success."
Fielkow's wife, Dr. Susan Fielkow, will also be returning to New Orleans as the new Head of Developmental Pediatrics at Ochsner Health System. Susan will begin her new leadership position at Ochsner this summer.
