Have you ever wanted to have a chance to sit down and have a real, personal conversation with a CEO, COO, or CFO? The Jefferson Chamber Young Professionals is making it happen for you!

Join us for "Power Lunch", an exclusive series for young professionals. You will have an opportunity to sit down with 10 fellow young professionals as we have a casual, no-frills conversation with an top executive in our community and hear their personal story of progress, failure, and success. Questions are encouraged and expected- this is your time to get insider information on what it takes to get to the top.

We are excited to welcome Jerry Bologna,  President and CEO of JEDCO, the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission! Since 2000, Jerry has played a significant role in industry recruitment and business retention efforts throughout Jefferson Parish. He brokered the $1 billion investment of global industry leader Dyno Nobel America, attracting the company's state-of-the-art ammonia production facility to Waggaman. Additionally, he played a key role in the attraction of Sleep Number's Relationship Center to Jefferson Parish. The $1 billion publicly traded national brand chose Elmwood after a competitive, multi-state selection process. Most recently, Jerry supported efforts to retain US Foods in Jefferson Parish and helped to attract Fuji Vegetable Oil's new $70 million processing facility. Jerry's work with Ochsner Health System supports efforts to develop an underutilized stretch of Jefferson Highway into an international healthcare destination through nearly $400 million in capital improvements and the creation of an additional 3,200 jobs. He is currently directing efforts to repurpose the former Avondale Shipyard into a hub for port and manufacturing activity. 

Under Jerry's leadership, the JEDCO team spearheaded the development of a Façade Improvement Program to encourage local businesses to revitalize their property and building exteriors through a forgivable loan program. In 2018, the staff began a year-long master planning process for the Churchill Technology and Business Park, a unique Jefferson Parish asset on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish. The organization also oversees the implementation of the Jefferson EDGE 2020, Jefferson Parish's long-term economic development strategic plan. The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) reaccredited JEDCO in 2015, a prestigious honor shared by approximately 60 economic development organizations in North America.