Bob Brown was appointed as the first full-time Managing Director for the Business Council in October 2007. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Brown was Vice Chancellor of Governmental, Community and Diversity Affairs at The University of New Orleans. Mr. Brown has been active in community affairs in the New Orleans area for many years. He has served as Chairman of the Board for the Preservation Resource Center, New Orleans Metropolitan YMCA, Legacy Donor Foundation, the Institute of Mental Hygiene, House of Ruth, and Family Service of Greater New Orleans. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana and as Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Louisiana State Museum. Mr. Brown was selected as a Community Hero and Olympic Torch Bearer for the 1996 Olympics and was The Times-Picayune Loving Cup recipient for 2007. Brown received his Bachelor’s Degree (magna cum laude) from Park College, Missouri and his Master’s Degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu California.

Valerie LeVasseur serves as Administrative Assistant for the Business Council. Ms. LeVasseur has held positions of increasing professional responsibility, including legal secretary, executive secretary and administrative assistant. Her most recent experience prior to joining the Business Council was at Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold, Inc., where she served as senior marketing assistant. She holds an associate’s degree in Applied Business Studies from Tulane University and is currently finishing a Bachelors degree in Social Science. LeVasseur is active in community affairs and has worked on projects such as Habitat for Humanity and the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation’s WALK THE BEAT annual fundraiser. She also is a member of the Gentilly Civic Improvement Association and the Oak Park Neighborhood Association.