LRA ANNOUNCES ITS 2018 CHAPTER LEADERSHIP

The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) is proud to announce the presidents that will lead its membership in 2018. The LRA is comprised of chapters across the state, each representing a Major Metropolitan Area (MMA). Every year, the chapters’ board of directors elects a member in its ranks to serve as president. This year’s leaders, who volunteer their time and efforts at the highest level, are charged with localizing the overall LRA member experience and cultivating opportunities for growth within the association.
 
The 2018 LRA Chapter Presidents are:

• Acadiana Chapter (MMA-Lafayette): Linda Arnaud, Senior Relationship Manager at Heartland Payment Systems in Arnaudville. Arnaud has been an LRA member since 2007 and has been an Acadiana Chapter board member for five years.
•  Bayou Chapter (MMA-Houma/Thibodaux): Linda Ayers, Owner/Manager of Ground Pat’i Restaurant in Houma. Ayers has been an LRA member since 2010; a Bayou Chapter board member since 2011. This is her second consecutive term as chapter president.
•  Cenla Chapter (MMA-Alexandria): Scott Laliberte, Director of Operations and Food & Beverage Manager of The Diamond Grill, The Mirror Room and The Bentley Room Restaurant in Alexandria. Laliberte has been an LRA member since 2010, and joined the Cenla board in 2013. This is his second term as chapter president.
•  Greater Baton Rouge Chapter: Kerrie Kikendall, Convention Services Manager at L’Auberge Baton Rouge Casino & Hotel. Kikendall has been an LRA member for five years and became a Greater Baton Rouge board member in 2015.
•  Greater New Orleans Chapter: Steve Trotter, Regional Vice President of Centerplate in New Orleans. Trotter has been a LRA member for eight years and a GNO Chapter board member since 2012.
•  Northeast Chapter (MMA-Monroe): Darrell Whaley, Above Store Leader of Taco Bell in West Monroe. He has been an LRA member for more than 30 years and he has been a Northeast board member since 2014. Whaley has also served on the LRA Board of Directors since 2015.
•  Northshore Chapter (MMA-Mandeville/Covington): Craig Smith, Multi-Unit Managing Partner of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers in Covington. He has been an LRA member for 20 years and has served on the Northshore board since 2012.
•  NorthwestChapter (MMA-Shreveport): Jason McKinney, Managing Partner of Texas Roadhouse in Bossier City. McKinney has been an LRA member since 2012 and has served on the Northwest board since 2012. This is his fourth consecutive term as chapter president.
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“The LRA is only as strong as its volunteer leaders,” said LRA President & CEO Stan Harris. “This group of restaurateurs and foodservice professionals will do a great job representing their regions and the restaurant industry this year.”