Scott Ballard
Founder & Owner Ballard Brands, LLC,
Scott Ballard is the owner of Ballard Brands, LLC, a fast casual dining leader based in Covington, Louisiana, which he runs with his two brothers. He is also the founder of Ballard Hospitality, LLC, a logistics company providing lifestyle services, housing, and logistical support to remote sites and beyond. In 2018, Ballard Brands entered into a strategic partnership with Garces Group out of Philadelphia, PA, forming IdEATion Hospitality, which owns and operates fine dining and fast casual concepts in PA, NJ & NY.
Scott's career began as an owner/operator of Smoothie King franchises in Georgia, North Carolina, and Louisiana. In 2007, he was recognized as one of Gambit's "40 Under 40" Businessmen to watch. His achievements include being named Louisiana Restaurant Association's Member of the Year in 2021 and Louisiana Cooking's Humanitarian of the Year in 2010.
Scott has served on the LSU Board of Supervisors, chairing the board from 2016-2017, and is currently serving again in 2024. He is also a member of the LSU Athletic Committee. He is an Executive Board member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO Louisiana), Secretary/Treasurer on the Committee of 100, and Secretary on the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) board. Scott is also a member of the Louisiana Economic Development Partnership Advisory Committee.
His community involvement extends to board memberships with Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Tammany ChamberPac, Louisiana Boys and Girls Club, ForeKids Foundation, LABI, Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, and Home Bank. Previously, he served on the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation Board, the Louisiana Board of Regents, and the Louisiana Student Assistance Commission. Scott is also a member of the St. Tammany and Greater New Orleans Chambers of Commerce.
Ballard Brands has received numerous accolades, including recognition as a "Top 100 Private Company" by New Orleans City Business magazine for four consecutive years, "Best Business of the Year" by the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, and the prestigious Tammany Award in 2020. The company was also recognized as a Louisiana Growth Leader by Louisiana Economic Development in 2020.
Scott has been named one of the Most Influential, Involved, and Inspiring Business Leaders in the New Orleans area by Biz New Orleans Magazine. Along with his brothers, Paul & Steven, he was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year 2020 Gulf Coast Area Award Finalist. The Ballard Brothers were also LABI Free Enterprise Award recipients in 2019.
In recognition of his support for employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve, Scott was honored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense as a Patriotic Employer. Most recently, Ballard Brands received the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Business of the Year Award from the New Orleans chapter of Junior Achievement.
Scott graduated from Tulane University with a degree in political science and economics. He is married to Kristi Ballard and is the father of three children.
Amanda Coates
Chief Commercial Officer, Port of New Orleans
Amanda Coates is the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at the Port of New Orleans where she brings over 20 years of extensive experience in the maritime and logistics sectors. In her role she is dedicated to driving new revenues through strategic initiatives, with a keen focus on stakeholder engagement and increasing cargo volumes and investment for development. Amanda plays a pivotal role in enhancing the alignment between trade and economic development by collaborating with state, regional, and local economic development organizations. This cohesive approach ultimately supports the port's mission to drive economic prosperity throughout its three-parish jurisdiction, through its maritime and industrial assets including the New Orleans Public Belt alignment for offering seamless supply chain solutions.
Joining the port in 2018, Amanda has been responsible for the execution of growth strategies across various areas, including real estate, trade development, economic development, marketing, planning and implementing both short- and long-range maritime marketing strategies to promote domestic and international trade.
Prior to her tenure at Port NOLA, Amanda spent over 15 years in operational and commercial roles at the world’s largest global ocean carrier, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). During this time, she developed a deep understanding of the transportation industry, container terminal operations, excelling in business development and strategic engagement.
A growth-focused professional and passionate advocate for the transportation sector, Amanda thrives on the challenges of identifying innovative business opportunities and deepening relationships with partners and clients. With a strong international mindset and a demonstrated ability to exceed expectations, she is leading efforts that are shaping the future of the Port of New Orleans and the region it serves.
Matthew C. Saurage
Chairman, Community Coffee Company
Matt Saurage, fourth-generation owner of Community Coffee Company, currently serves as the Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors. Matt has been involved with the family business since 1995 in a variety of roles including coffee selection and roasting, brand marketing, coffeehouse operations, and new product development. Early in his career, he lived in Brazil to better understand the nuances of farming and trading green coffee and continues to travel abroad to visit coffee farming communities. He was elected President in 2005 and Chairman in 2012, becoming the fourth-generation Saurage to take the helm of America’s largest family-owned and operated retail coffee brand.
Matt helps guide the company’s philanthropic activities, including the Community Cash for Schools ® program benefiting education, Military Match program providing coffee for active-duty troops, and environmental and sustainability platforms. He has served on the board of several local, national and international organizations focused on public education, coffee health, and sustainable agriculture, including New Schools Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Area Foundation, National Coffee Association, and World Coffee Research. He and his wife, Catherine, enjoy time together raising five children and supporting local, non-profit organizations in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Adrienne C. Slack
Coordinating Regional Executive, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Adrienne C. Slack is the coordinating regional executive of the Bank's Regional Economic Information Network (REIN), serving as the Sixth District's lead regional executive, with responsibility for determining Sixth District REIN priorities. In addition to providing team guidance, she oversees team inputs to monetary policy deliberations, output products, and the talent pipeline.
She is responsible for the New Orleans Branch's board of directors and the District's Energy Advisory Council. Adrienne also provides regional input into the Atlanta Fed's monetary policy process. Additionally, she oversees the Atlanta Reserve Bank's Payment Forum.
She first joined the Federal Reserve System in the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. During her tenure there, she served in several national leadership roles, including oversight for the Sixth District Cash Function Office and District Cash Operations. She also served at the Board of Governors in Washington, DC. Prior to assuming her current role, she was New Orleans branch manager, where she had responsibility for currency services, law enforcement, and facility and support services.
Adrienne is involved in activities including the Louisiana State University Center for Energy Studies Advisory Council, the Bayou District Foundation, and the University of Southern Mississippi College of Business Advisory Council. In 2006, she was honored by New Orleans CityBusiness at its Women of the Year event.
Raised in Mississippi, Adrienne received a bachelor of science degree in business administration with a concentration in economics from the University of Southern Mississippi. She also completed the executive development program at Dartmouth College.
Paula Tkac
Executive Vice President & Director of Research, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
Paula Tkac is an executive vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and is a member of the executive leadership committee. Tkac also serves as primary monetary policy adviser to Atlanta Fed president Bostic and is actively involved in strategic leadership at both the Division and organizational levels.
As an economist, Tkac has conducted research on various financial market topics including the asset management industry, financial regulation, the municipal bond market and policy responses to financial crises. Her research has won two William F. Sharpe Awards from the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis.
Tkac frequently speaks to private sector and community groups on issues related to monetary policy, financial regulation, and leadership. She has also appeared on C-SPAN and as an op-ed writer in the Wall Street Journal.
Before she joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in 2000, Tkac was on the faculty of the finance department at the University of Notre Dame. Tkac earned her bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in economics from the University of Chicago.
as of 4/16/2025
