submitted by New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC)
NEW ORLEANS – The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority (“Authority”), the governing board of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC), recently welcomed restaurateur, Octavio Mantilla, co-founder and co-owner of BRG Hospitality, as its newest commissioner. The Authority consists of 13 commissioners, 10 who are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor, and three who are appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans and serve four-year terms.
Nominated for the post by the New Orleans chapter of the Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA), Mantilla was appointed by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and sworn in on June 26.
Mantilla was born in Nicaragua and raised in New Orleans. Landing his first restaurant job at age 16, he went on to work in different levels of management, building up his knowledge of the hospitality industry. Mantilla earned a bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and an MBA from the University of New Orleans.
Upon graduating, Mantilla played an integral role in opening Harrah’s New Orleans Casino & Hotel and subsequently served as Director of Food Operations at Harrah’s St Louis. After opening numerous fine dining restaurants for the Harrah’s brand nationwide, he returned home to New Orleans to open the Besh Steakhouse at Harrah’s New Orleans in 2003.
Mantilla later partnered with Chef John Besh to form BRG Hospitality. Today, BRG encompasses several restaurants — including August, Domenica, Luke, Pizza Domenica, Shaya, Willa Jean, Tavi and Larder Eatery in the New Orleans area and Eunice in Houston — as well as BRG Disaster Solutions, which provides logistical insight for large-scale feeding operations.
“Octavio brings not only his years of experience and knowledge of the hospitality industry but also a strong passion for customer service and dining experiences,” said Russell Allen, Authority President. “Because New Orleans is known as a top-tier culinary destination, Octavio’s particular expertise makes him an ideal addition to the Authority. We are thrilled to have him on the board.”
About the Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority
The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority’s (Authority) exclusive mission is to finance, construct and operate facilities in order to attract and conduct conventions, trade shows and other events that support and expand the economy of both the State of Louisiana and New Orleans Region. The Authority is composed of a 13-member board of commissioners, ten appointed by the Governor of Louisiana, and three appointed by the Mayor of New Orleans. Since 1985, event activity at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has produced $90.1 billion in economic impact since its 1985 opening, including $5.7 billion in new tax revenue for state and local governments.
