METAIRIE, LA – The Jefferson Chamber of Commerce will host the Business Leadership Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at the Hilton New Orleans Airport Hotel. The keynote speakers of the luncheon will be local restaurant entrepreneurs Thomas Jacobs, co-founder of The Big Cheezy, and Aaron Vogel, co-founder of District Donuts Sliders Brews. The Master of Ceremonies will be Todd Matherne, CEO of Renaissance Publishing.
This event honors the accomplishments of both small and large businesses and the impact they have made on the Jefferson Parish business community. Don’t miss this celebration of entrepreneurship, achievement, perseverance and community service.
The following award winners will be honored at the event:
Jefferson Chamber Awards:
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Joseph C. Coates, III, Title Management
- Small Business of the Year: Merchants Security Services
- Woman Owned Business of the Year: Beary Cherry Tree
- Family Owned Business of the Year: Riccobono’s Peppermill
- Innovator of the Year: innovationOchsner
- Large Business of the Year: Zito Companies
- Business Progress Award: Buisson Creative
- Community Leader of the Year: Carol Solomon, Peoples Heath (posthumous award)
- Community Advancement Award: Laurel Outdoor
- Healthy Business Award Large Sized Company: Laitram, LLC
- Healthy Business Award Medium Sized Company: Delta Personnel
JEDCO Challenge:
- Chosen Diagnostics
Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the luncheon and program beginning at noon.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.jeffersonchamber.org or by calling (504) 835-3880. Chamber Member tickets are $75. Non-Member tickets are $100. A Gold Level Sponsorship, including a reserved table for ten guests and logo recognition on printed program and event signage, can be purchased for $1,000.
Media are welcome to attend.
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About Thomas Jacobs:
Thomas Jacobs is one of the three owner/operators of The Big Cheezy, a southern gourmet grilled cheese experience with 3 locations in the Greater New Orleans region. While obtaining his bachelors and Masters of Finance degree from Tulane University, Thomas worked in a variety of kitchens throughout the city. After college, he served as operations manager and financial associate with a small private equity firm, where he worked firsthand with numerous startup and small businesses that were looking to develop into professional companies. Thomas also served as an International Account Manager for an oil & gas company in Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa for a few years before coming back home to focus on the two things that matter most in life; his fiancée and gourmet grilled cheeses at The Big Cheezy.
About Aaron Vogel:
Aaron Vogel is the co-founder of TurnChange, LLC. He and his business partners launched their first restaurant, District Donuts Sliders Brew, in 2013 and will be opening their fifth location in Baton Rouge later this month. The mission of their business is to Turn Profits and Change Lives. Aaron was born and raised in Metairie, LA. and still lives in Metairie with his wife and four children.
About the Jefferson Chamber:
The Jefferson Chamber is a leading voice for Jefferson Parish’s business community. As a non-profit, membership-driven organization, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses at the local, state and federal levels. The Chamber’s mission is to work for the advancement of the business community; to enhance the economic, civic and cultural environment; and to improve the quality of life in Jefferson Parish. The Jefferson Chamber is Four-Star Accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the 2013 and 2015 Chamber of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in the Large Chamber Category.
For more information about the Jefferson Chamber, visit www.jeffersonchamber.org, and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
