Friends of Lafitte Greenway, the nonprofit in New Orleans that stewards the public open space connecting the French Quarter to City Park, has announced their new Executive Director Jason Neville.

Jason is an urban planner and redevelopment professional who has dedicated nearly twenty years of work in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to design and implement inclusive neighborhood revitalization strategies, affordable housing innovations, small business support, green infrastructure projects, grantwriting, and arts-driven community engagement. This experience includeswork at the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti's Innovation Team, and the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency. Jason is a native New Orleanian, graduate of University of New Orleans’ urban planning program, and has taught in Tulane University’s Master of Sustainable Real Estate Development program.

“Jason’s experience building community projects through partnerships will be instrumental to advancing Friends’ strategic plan and capacity to build, program, and promote the Greenway” says Board Chair Reed Wiley. “We’re excited for what the future holds under Jason’s leadership and our partnership with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and the City of New Orleans.” Jason’s primary objectives will be completing the Greenway to its full 3.1 mile length, developing a sustainable source of funding to support impact, expanding programming and projects throughout the Greenway, and continuing to build strong relationships with community stakeholders and partners.

“As someone who lives near the Lafitte Greenway and watched it grow from a community idea post-Katrina into the city’s premiere active public space connecting many of our most historic and diverse communities, I am honored and thrilled to join Friends of Lafitte Greenway and help grow it into its next successful chapter. I am committed to working with our partners to ensure that everything that happens in the greenway is a result of a community conversation.” Friends of Lafitte Greenway conducted a thorough evaluation process over three months, and received numerous applications from highly qualified candidates. We are grateful for the time and efforts of those who participated.

Please join us in welcoming Jason and wishing him success in leading Friends’ work to build, program, and promote the Lafitte Greenway as a great public space: [email protected].