LRA Announces 2021 Chair & Officers

1/18/2021

The Louisiana Restaurant Association announced its 2021 volunteer leadership with Keith Bond as its Chair. Bond has been in the restaurant business since 1997 when he and his wife Shelly partnered with her father to open the second Mel’s Diner in Broussard. Named for Shelly’s mother Mel, she and Keith are rebuilding the original Mel’s Diner Johnston Street location which was gutted by a fire and is expected to reopen it in April 2021. He has served on the LRA’s Board of Directors since 2014 and has been active in the LRA’s Acadiana chapter for many years.

“The LRA is fortunate to be led by a group of professionals who are actively involved in the restaurant industry, especially after the past year we’ve experienced,” said Stan Harris, LRA President and CEO. “These leaders support their peers by sharing best practices and ideas on how we can make this industry more resilient. Their willingness to volunteer their time and efforts during an extremely difficult business climate is critical to the mission of the LRA.”

The 2021 officers of the LRA:

Michael Boudreaux, Vice Chair— Boudreaux is a partner in the soon to open SouLa restaurant and co-owner of Juban’s restaurant in Baton Rouge
Michael Maenza, Secretary— Maenza is the owner of MMI Culinary, Mr. Mudbug’s, 12 Seasons Catering Company and SWEGS Kitchen in New Orleans
Alan Guilbeau, Treasurer—Guilbeau is the Executive Vice President of Business Development of PJ’s Coffee & Tea of New Orleans and New Orleans Roast Coffee & Tea
Mark Latter, At-Large–Latter is owner of Latter Hospitality including Tujague’s Restaurant, Claret Wine Bar, The Bower, and the soon to open Birdy’s in New Orleans

The following members were elected to serve as an LRA Director for a one-year term in 2021:

Acadiana Chapter

Keith Bond, Mel’s Diner Part II, Lafayette and Broussard
Dwight Prudhomme, Republic National Distributing Company

Greater Baton Rouge Chapter:

Bruce Attinger, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux
Michael Boudreaux, SouLa and Juban’s restaurants
Michael Carmouche, Ecolab
Mickey Freiberg, A La Carte Food Properties
Matt Massey, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
Peter Sclafani, Down South Hospitality - Phil’s Oyster Bar, Portabello’s, P-Beaus and the soon to open SouLa restaurant
Scott Taylor, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux

Bayou Chapter:

Randy Barrios, Flanagan’s Restaurant and Fremin’s Restaurant
Greg Hamer, Taco Bell—B&G Food Enterprises

Greater New Orleans Chapter:

Tony Abadie, Jack Rose Restaurant, Hot Tin, Bayou Bar and Silver Whistle
Glen Armantrout, Mahony’s Po-boys & Seafood
Patrick Brennan, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
Ralph Brennan, Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
Geordie Brower, II, Dickie Brennan & Co.
Katy Casbarian, Arnaud’s and Remoulade restaurants
Billy Clark, Galatoire’s Restaurant and Galatoire’s 33 Bar and Steak
John Eastman, Auto-Chlor Services
Nick Hazard, Crescent Crown Distributing
Jason Jones, Sysco
John Lalla, Natco Food Service
Mark Latter, Claret Wine Bar, The Bower and Tujague’s Restaurant
Helen LeBourgeois, TLC Linen Services
Michael Maenza, MMI Culinary, Mr. Mudbug’s, 12 Seasons Catering Company and SWEGS Kitchen
Octavio Mantilla, BRG Hospitality including August, Borgne, Domenica, Luke, Willa Jean, Shaya, Cho Thai and Pizza Domenica
Greg Reggio, Taste Buds Management including Zea Rotisserie & Bar and Semolina’s
Melvin Rodrigue, Galatoire’s Restaurant & Galatoire’s 33 Bar and Steak
Paul Rotner, Acme Management Group
Randy Stein, Mr. B’s Bistro
Emery Whalen, QED Hospitality including Jack Rose Restaurant, Hot Tin, Silver Whistle and Bayou Bar