In this episode, Dennis continues with his series from contributing experts on the economic development response to COVID-19.

Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEcD is the President and CEO of the New Orleans Business Alliance and returns to the show to talk leadership, disruption, and recovery from a community that has learned much about recovering from natural disasters.

Quentin's Bio:

As the leader of the accredited economic development organization (AEDO) focused on growing the Orleans Parish economy, Quentin leads initiatives and programs related to making New Orleans the most attractive city of its size for financial and human capital investment. These initiatives and programs are conducted across four workstreams: business attraction/retention, small business growth, talent and workforce development and strategic neighborhood development. He was named by Biz New Orleans as Businessperson of the Year (2019, Consultants Connect as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers (2019) and selected by Ebony Magazine’s for its Ebony Power 100 as a Power Player (2018). Immediately prior to joining NOLABA, Quentin was the Assistant Secretary for Louisiana Economic Development, (LED) the state department of economic development. To learn more about the Business Alliance, please visit, www.nolaba.org.

Quentin’s Specialties:

• Leading public-private economic development organizations
• Managing change including combining economic development and workforce development
• Economic growth is not necessarily synonymous with the expansion of economic opportunity
• Diversity and Inclusion in the Economic Development Profession
• Diversity and Inclusion Considerations in Economic Development Practice
• Deciding to pursue Accredited Economic Development Organization status

Connect with Quentin Messer Jr.