Professional Profile
| Seasoned executive with diversified domestic and international experience in executive management of real estate and manufacturing organizations including historic renovation projects, turnarounds, startups, special projects, information technology development and applications, accounting, auditing, taxation, and management consulting. |
Selected Accomplishments
| Served as campaign manager for popular mayoral candidate who won a landslide 74% victory over a candidate whose platform was reducing taxes. |
| Developed prototype high-tech retail location from concept, through design, software development, construction, and successful grand opening in less than four months and under budget. |
| Turned around a $250 million mixed-use urban real estate project, negotiating and closing $160 million in long-term financing, and structuring / closing $30 million in tax advantaged limited partnership interest private placements. In a severely depressed hotel market, improved hotel occupancy from 45% to 70% and increased average rate by 34% in less than two years. |
| Developed country's first and only profitable light rail transit system. Working with community leaders, created Public/Private Partnership with local transit authority, obtained Department of Transportation approval and Urban Development Action Grant, designed, and constructed rail system, refurbished rail cars and began operations within six months of authorization to proceed. |
| Initiated and co-developed the first historic renovation project in the historic New Orleans Warehouse District and remained active and consulted on numerous other historic renovation projects both in New Orleans and elsewhere in the U.S. |
| Procured over $50 million in US and global financing / approvals required for 1984 Louisiana World’s Fair. Partnering with community leaders and Louisiana Congressional Delegation, developed projections and feasibility studies to obtain event's approvals from US Secretary of Commerce and International Bureau of Expositions. |
| Managed conversion of a decorated WWII aircraft carrier into a New Orleans museum. Collaborated with community leaders and US/International authorities to obtain needed funding and approvals within thirty days. Directed complex diplomatic issues and successfully lobbied Congress to obtain Two million dollar grant for refurbishment of vessel. |
Career History
| Managing Director LGB Consulting Group |
1997 - Present Dothan, Alabama |
| Practice includes providing tax and cost recovery and savings programs, sourcing and negotiating equity and debt financing; and consulting on technology, organization, and operations management for domestic and international clients. | |
| Captain Sabbatical |
1996 - 1997 South Atlantic and Caribbean Sea |
| Sailed a 44-foot sloop, with spouse, from New Orleans, Louisiana to St Martin, Dutch West Indies, and then return. | |
| President and Chief Operating Officer Con Pac, Inc |
1991 - 1996 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Directed the restructuring, reorganization, and return to profitability of nearly bankrupt regional multi-location manufacturer within twelve months. Enhanced shareholder value fourfold and tripled sales over five years. | |
| Principal Leo G. Breckenridge, CPA |
1982 - 1990 New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Represented and managed business interests of several international investors. Participated in and directed the acquisition, equity and debt fundraising, turnaround, and restructuring of principally real estate related projects for various clients. | |
| Auditor / Manager / Consultant Deloitte & Touche |
1971 - 1980 Memphis, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Auditor/Manager for public utilities, universities, and manufacturing entities, including Entergy Corporation, Tulane University, and Kaiser Aluminum. Established and managed Small Business Services department. Actively involved in practice development activities and led firm's involvement in Louisiana World Exposition of 1984 | |
Education
| B.B.A., cum laude, Accounting and Real Estate, 1971 University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee Member Beta Gamma Sigma, National Business Honor Society |
| Graduate Studies, Finance and Real Estate, 1974 University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee |
Military Service
| U.S. Air Force, 1967 to 1971, Linguist - Cambodian |
Licenses and Certifications
| Certified Public Accountant, Louisiana, 1976 (Inactive) |
| Flight Instructor, Commercial Pilot – Single and Multiengine Airplane and Instrument, FAA 1966 |
| Merchant Marine Officer, OUPV, 100 Tons, U.S. Coast Guard, 1996 |
| Section 608 Universal Refrigeration Certification, Environmental Protection Agency, 2000 |
Civic and Community Leadership
| Director and Finance Committee Chairman, Boys & Girls Club of the Wiregrass, 2006 |
| Dothan Houston County Rotary, 1998 to 2006 |
| Community Liaison, Republican National Convention, New Orleans, 1988 |
| Board of Directors, Treasurer, Riverfront Transit Coalition, New Orleans, 1986 to 1992 |
| Board of Directors, Finance Chairman, Louisiana Children's Museum, New Orleans, 1982 to 1985 |
| Member, French Quarter Festival Committee, 1982 |
| Chairman, Council of Independent Businesses, New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, 1981 |
| Board of Directors, Advocate for the Developmentally Disabled 1981 |
| Member, Mayor's Select Task Force on Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1981 |