LRAEF Board of Directors
Greg Reggio, Chair, Taste Buds Management
Garret LeBlanc, Vice Chair, B&G Food Enterprises
Tony Rodrigue, Secretary/Treasurer, Acme Oyster House
Michael Eastman, Immediate Past Chair, Auto-Chlor System
Alan Guilbeau, Bengal Products
Caroline Rodrigue, Galatoire's
Derrick Dunne, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
Emery Whalen, QED Hospitality
Justin Kennedy, Parkway Bakery & Tavern
Karen Coaxum, Coaxum Enterprises
Megan Klock, Ruffino's
Octavio Mantilla, BRG Hospitalty
Stephen Hightower, Baton Rouge Epicurean Society
Academic Advisor
Dr. Yvette Green, UNO Kabacoff School of HRT
Industry Representatives
Felton Jones, PJ's Coffee
Ex-Officio
Stan Harris, CEO, Louisiana Restaurant Association
Jonathan Baynham, Vice President & Executive Director
LRAEF Articulation Agreements
The LRA Education Foundation is proud to partner with these educational institutions through articulation agreements, which provides a smooth transition of credits from the completion of ProStart I and II. We are grateful to these schools for their commitment to the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Most Recent 990's
Annual Reports
Education Foundation News
Latest News Students create and pitch an original restaurant concept, complete with a business proposal, marketing plan, and operations strategy Chalmette High School’s ProStart Management Team has made Louisiana history, capturing first place at the 2025 National ProStart Invitational (NPSI), held May 2-4 in Baltimore, Maryland. Competing against the best and brightest ProStart students from…
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Latest News Sponsored by TABASCO Brand & Zea Rotisserie & Grill The Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA) and its Education Foundation proudly announce that two Louisiana ProStart teams captured state championships and are headed to the 2025 National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) in Baltimore, MD. In thrilling competitions held March 19-20 in New Orleans, ProStart students from…
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Latest News The latest workforce technology report from the National Restaurant Association highlights trends shaping the industry. While many insights come from large national chains, independent restaurants, multi-unit operators, and franchisees often have different needs and financial constraints. Here’s how LRA members can leverage workforce technology in a practical and cost-effective way. 1. Streamlining Employee…
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