The Ritz-Carlton Hotel hosted a bona fide who’s who of the New Orleans business community when on May 4 Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans held its annual Business Hall of Fame (BHF) awards, presented by the Oscar J. Tolmas Foundation.

More than 200 people attended, including past honorees and VIPs such as event Chair and New Orleans Saints/Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha and New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson, a 2021 BHF Laureate; and 1984 BHF Laureate and 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Alden McDonald with his wife, Rhesa McDonald.

Since 1984, this event has recognized local businessmen and women who have embraced the spirit of entrepreneurship in the community and made significant contributions to their professions.

This year’s award winners included: Karen DeBlieux, head of U.S. Corporate Banking, New Orleans Market president, Capital One; David Gallo, CEO, Gallo Mechanical; Steve Gleason, co-founder, Team Gleason; Jack Jensen, founder, Jensen Companies; Dan Shapiro, CEO, Krispy Krunchy Foods; and Michael O. Smith, general manager, Hyatt Regency New Orleans. The Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree was Joseph Canizaro, chairman and CEO, Columbus Properties/Corporate Capital, and the Oscar J. Tolmas Trust Business of the Year was bestowed on Latter & Blum. Each honoree was featured in a special tribute video and received a crystal eagle as a symbol of their entrepreneurial spirit and excellence in business leadership.

Junior Achievement’s aim is to inspire and prepare young people to successfully participate in the economy through workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Fun Fact

• Past honorees kick off the event by entering it by class year as a way highlight their achievements.