lra Recent News

Louisiana Restaurant Association
  • About Us
    • Upcoming Events
    • Leadership >
      • Past LRA Chairs
    • Advertising & Media
    • LRA Staff Directory
    • LRA Recent News
    • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • COVID
    • Benefits
    • Membership Application
    • Advocacy
    • Chapters
    • Louisiana Restaurant Legends
    • ADA Compliance Disclaimer
    • Member Login
  • Training
    • ServSafe Foodservice Manager
    • ServSafe Alcohol
    • ServSafe Allergens
    • ServSafe Food Handler
    • ServSuccess
    • Manage My Restaurant
  • LRA SIF
    • Agents & Brokers
    • Leadership
    • Coverages
    • Claims
    • Loss Prevention
    • Questionnaire
    • Compliance Reporting
    • LRA SIF Staff Directory
    • Contact Us
  • Showcase
    • Attendees >
      • 2021 Exhibitor List
    • Exhibitors
    • Be a Sponsor
    • Floor Plan
    • Hotels & Travel
    • Contact Us
  • Education
    • About Us
    • ProStart
    • Giving
    • Scholarships
    • Annual Partners
    • Contact Us

Meet Melvin Rodrigue: New chair brings New Orleans passion to Association

2/18/2020

 
PicturePhoto by Frank Aymami III
When it comes to restaurants, Melvin Rodrigue has a voracious appetite – whether he’s eating at one or running it. Plain and simple, he loves this business.

That may not have always been the case – Rodrigue started out as a pre-med student at Tulane University. But, after taking a job at Dickie Brennan’s famous Palace Café in New Orleans, he changed course quickly. At 19 he was a protégé. By 24, he was the CEO of a restaurant company.

Now, nearly 25 years later, Rodrigue, the proud father of four daughters and president and CEO of Louisiana’s renowned Galatoire’s Restaurant Group, will be using his smart, hospitable approach to not only growing his own business, but to advancing our industry as 2020 chair of the National Restaurant Association.

If there’s one thing to know about Melvin, says Wendy Waren, vice president of communications for the Louisiana Restaurant Association, it’s that he is always willing to serve. “He is extremely professional; he knows how to take care of people, and how to create great experiences.

To this day, he gets calls for reservations at Galatoire’s, and he takes care of them himself, even though he’s president and CEO. That is who he is, he doesn’t put on any airs. He just makes sure we achieve the desired outcome, taking care of our guests.”

Rodrigue admits he was born to pursue a career as an industry leader. For one thing, he enjoyed every aspect of the learning. He was hungry to know everything and become expert at it. He was so eager to learn, mentors who coached him along the way actively advanced him from one opportunity to the next.

“When people ask what my favorite part of the job is or why I love the restaurant industry, I tell them two things: I get a rush from knowing we’ve all worked hard to create a great experience for our customers, and I love being a mentor to others to help them achieve their own career goals,” he says.

Rodrigue, who just started his year-long tenure as Association chair in January, has worked hard to enhance the reputation of New Orleans and Galatoire’s. As chair, he hopes to help enhance and advance the entire restaurant industry.
​
“We offer so much opportunity – more than most people might imagine,” he says. “No other businesses allow their people to grow as quickly as ours do. It doesn’t matter if they have high-school educations or master’s degrees. Our industry embraces the entrepreneurial spirit and embodies the American dream. If you have passion, commitment, and a good work ethic, you can go very far.”


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017

    Categories

    All
    Boil Water Advisory
    Capitol Connection
    Chapter Awards
    Chapter Fundraisers
    Educational
    Emergency
    EMV
    Endorsed Providers
    EXPO
    Food News
    Food Recall
    Health Care
    LRA SIF
    ProStart
    Restaurant Legends
    Scholarships
    Workforce Development

    RSS Feed

ADA Compliance Disclaimer
Privacy Policy 
 Copyright Louisiana Restaurant Association.  All Rights Reserved.
2700 N. Arnoult Road | Metairie, LA  70002
Phone: (504) 454-2277  | sitemap
MemberClicks
  • About Us
    • Upcoming Events
    • Leadership >
      • Past LRA Chairs
    • Advertising & Media
    • LRA Staff Directory
    • LRA Recent News
    • Contact Us
  • Membership
    • COVID
    • Benefits
    • Membership Application
    • Advocacy
    • Chapters
    • Louisiana Restaurant Legends
    • ADA Compliance Disclaimer
    • Member Login
  • Training
    • ServSafe Foodservice Manager
    • ServSafe Alcohol
    • ServSafe Allergens
    • ServSafe Food Handler
    • ServSuccess
    • Manage My Restaurant
  • LRA SIF
    • Agents & Brokers
    • Leadership
    • Coverages
    • Claims
    • Loss Prevention
    • Questionnaire
    • Compliance Reporting
    • LRA SIF Staff Directory
    • Contact Us
  • Showcase
    • Attendees >
      • 2021 Exhibitor List
    • Exhibitors
    • Be a Sponsor
    • Floor Plan
    • Hotels & Travel
    • Contact Us
  • Education
    • About Us
    • ProStart
    • Giving
    • Scholarships
    • Annual Partners
    • Contact Us