Board Announces 2011 Slate of Executive Officers and new Executive Director

New Orleans, Louisiana – The Board of the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience announces the 2011 slate of officers, new board members and a new Executive Director.

New Orleans Wine and Food Experience 2011 Executive Committee:
Kevin Kimball – 2011 President (TJ Ribs)

Mary Beth Romig – Vice President (Mayor’s Office – Director of Public Relations and

Special Projects)

Neil Buie – Treasurer (Whitney National Bank)

Susan Hislop – Secretary (Artisan Fine Wines)

Octavio Mantilla  – 2010 President (Besh Restaurant Group)

Greg Reggio – 2009 President (Zea and Semolina Restaurants)

New Board Members Include:

Amy Reimer – International House Hotel

Dan Davis – Commander’s Palace

Ted Selogie – J.W. Marriott

Matt Murphy – The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans: M Bistro

Joe McManus – Harrah’s New Orleans

Chris Hernandez – Republic National Distributing Company

Kim Priez – New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Cameron Perry

In addition, New Orleans native Jamie Peckenpaugh has been named Executive Director.
Peckenpaugh has worked with NOWFE since 2007 and will now be responsible for working closely with the Board of Directors, sponsors, wineries and special guests.  “We are pleased to have Jamie step up as Executive Director of NOWFE,” states Kevin Kimball, 2011 NOWFE President. “Her experience and dedication are invaluable and will be integral in making the 2011 event even more successful than the last.”

Kimball notes, “As president of the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience, I look forward to working with the team of board members and officers who will shape the future of our event. These industry leaders bring a great deal of talent and insight to the table, and allow us to strengthen as we move forward.”

The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience is a non-profit organization. The Board of the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience donates 100% of the events’ profit to support their programs and foundations. Proceeds from the 2010 event will benefit the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation in partnership with the Louisiana Seafood Board, University of New Orleans School of Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism, the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation’s ProStart Program, The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, Delgado Community College Culinary Arts Program, New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts Culinary Arts Program, Girls First, Cancer Crusaders, Southern Animal Foundation, Coach Sean Payton’s Play It Forward Foundation and Fore! Kids Foundation. For more information please visit www.nowfe.com
NOWFE 2011 will be held May 24– 28, 2011. For additional press information, including downloadable images, contact Liz Bodet 504.583.5550, egoliwas@bellsouth.net or visit the media center at www.nowfe.com