After receiving nearly 50 applications, the New Orleans Business Alliance has selected its inaugural class of economic development ambassadors to attend its five-week course starting March 29.

NOLABA subject experts will present during the Wednesday night sessions, guide discussion about economic development in New Orleans and direct participants toward resources for further enrichment. Because of the great interest in this first-of-its-kind program and the high number of qualified applications, NOLABA plans to schedule another class in the fall.

“We are gratified by the applicant response that we received,” said NOLABA President & CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr. “Economic development impacts the economic security of all New Orleanians, so this program is designed to educate participants about the process and timeline of economic development in New Orleans. We expect the ambassadors will be more well-informed advocates for the city’s economy, partners in helping New Orleans businesses grow more rapidly and willing connectors for non-local businesses considering relocating to the city.”

Sponsorship opportunities remain available through March 27. Click here to learn more details.

Here are the 28 applicants selected:

Deborah Anderson, Animation Specialist, LED FastStart
Charles Barclay, Asset Manager, Stirling Properties
Jill Boatright, Director, Career Services Center, Loyola University
Ryan Bordenave, Retail Attraction Specialist, Downtown Development District
Danielle Burrell, Owner/Principal Consultant, Treux North Wellness
Barrett Cooper, COO, ERG Enterprises
Christopher Dixon, Senior Software Engineer, GE
John Eskew, Project Estimator, The McDonnel Group
Jeanne Foster, Publisher, Gambit Communications
Patrick Hernandez, Co-founder/CFO, Roulaison Distilling Co
Amy Landry, Owner/President, Fuel Success Academy
Juan Linares, Vice President, Teneo Capital
Sean McCloskey, Innovation Delivery Team- Public Safety, City of New Orleans
Olivia Mertensmeyer, Commercial Underwriter II, Capital One
Irene Pallais, Area Internet Marketing Director, Interstate Hotels and Resorts
Andreas Pashos, Program Manager, Textron
Serina Phoenix, Executive Administrative Assistant, First NBC Bank
Carly Plotkin, Sales and Leasing Agent, Stirling Properties
Rachel Riezman, Senior Business Analyst, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta- New Orleans Branch
Jennifer Rigterink, Tax Attorney, Baldwin Haspel Burke & Mayer, LLC
Steven Rossi, Marketing Director, King Krebs & Jurgens, PLLC
Jason Russell, Program Manager, Workforce Development, Ochsner
Jeffrey Schiffman, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Tulane
Liza Sherman, Chief Programs & Operating Officer, Tulane Hillel
Jacob Stephens, Assistant City Attorney, New Orleans Aviation Board
John Suarez, Senior Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch
Sharree Walls, Director of Operations and Communications, Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region
Marquita Wright, Global Account Team Leader, Intralox