Industry & alumni
HRT Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board consists of executives within the industry and provides an important resource for our School. These business executives serve to review and initiate recommendations on the programs and goals of the Lester E. Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration.
Our Advisory Board ensures that our students are receiving the most up-to-date and current education that reflects the actuality of the industry. The Advisory Board works regularly with the faculty, staff and students to devise and update a curriculum that is current and related to the needs of our industry.
Advisory Board Members
Chair: Rick Gratia
Muriel’s Restaurant
Mr. Ralph Brennan
Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group
Mr. Tod Chambers
General Manager
The Roosevelt New Orleans
Mr. Robert Crifasi
General Manager
New Orleans Country Club
Ms. Mavis Early
Executive Director
Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association
Mr. Terry Epton
EVP – Global Brand Ambassador
Hosts Global
Mr. Al Groos
General Manager
Royal Sonesta Hotel
Mr. Don Landry
Consultant & Owner
Top Ten Hospitality Advisors
Mr. Bill Langkopp
Executive Director
Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association
Mr. Steve Perry
President & CEO
New Orleans & Company
Mr. Jim Cook
General Manager
Sheraton Hotel
Mr. Stan Harris
CEO
Louisiana Restaurant Association
Our Alumni
We are inviting our Alumni to our new LinkedIn space. The Greater New Orleans Hotel & Lodging Association and its affiliated Hospitality Education Foundation is featuring HRT Alumni with their interactive campaign .
Our Industry Associations
— Official state guide to parks, festivals, and tourist attractions.
— Visitor's Guide to New Orleans - calendar of events, accommodations, restaurants, shopping, meeting planners, information and more.
— TTRA - an international professional organization comprised of providers and users of travel and tourism research.
— The US Travel Associationis theunique national organization that leverages the collective strength of those who benefit from travel to grow their business beyond what they can do individually.
— CHRIE is an association for colleges and universities offering programs in hotel and restaurant management, foodservice management and culinary arts.
— The LRA is a non-profit trade association representing the foodservice industry in Louisiana.
— Professional membership organization for corporate, association, and independent meeting planners.
— Restaurant trade organization offering certification, training materials, start-up advice, education resources, and industry news and trends.
— AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers.
— CMAA is the professional association for managers of membership clubs and advances the profession of club management by fulfilling the educational and related needs of its members.
— ACF promotes the professional image of American chefs worldwide through education of culinarians at all levels.
— PCMA represents meeting industry leaders including planner professionals, suppliers, faculty and students.
— The GNOHLA is an association representing the hotel and lodging industry in the Greater New Orleans area.
— HFTP is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs, and other hospitality-related businesses.
— The City of New Orleans' Official Tourism Site provided by the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. Guide to hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and culture in the city of New Orleans.