Friday evening at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel was a swanky and philanthropic affair for those who attended Junior Achievement’s 2008 Chase Bank Business Hall of Fame. Beginning with a chairman’s reception at 6:30 p.m., the elegant soiree continued with a dinner and awards presentation to honor the following inspirational members of the greater New Orleans business community: Arnold B. Baker, president of Baker Ready Mix; Alvin A. Baumer Jr., president and CEO of Baumer Foods, Inc.; Maura W. Donahue, vice-president of DonahueFavre Contractors, Inc. and former chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Charles C. Teamer St., chairman of the board for Dryades Savings Bank; and J. Douglas Thornton, vice president of Superdome Management Group.
Additionally, Ella Brennan was given the Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication as a restaurateur (Brennan started in the business in 1944 at the age of 19).
Established in 1984, the Business Hall of Fame honors local businessmen and women who are believed to embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship in the community. Junior Achievement is a nonprofit organization that encourages and inspires young people to succeed in a global economy. Programs are taught by volunteers from the business community all over the U.S. and abroad, reaching 8 million students in cities, suburbs and rural areas.
Charles Teamer, Maura Donahue, Al Baumer and Donna Fraiche
Arnold Baker, Ella Brennan and Roger Ogden
John Kallenborn and Jack Brancewicz
Frank Stewart, Charles Teamer and Ashton Ryan