Today we go way down south near my old stomping grounds of Baton Rough, LA. Home of LSU “Tigers”, where you will find Ralph Felder 80 miles south in the Jazz City of New Orleans. Ralph is the Accounting Extraordinaire of the Holiday Inn Metairie and Westbank. Keep reading to learn his connection with the LSU Tigers and his role with his properties.
Ralph, better known as “Rowdy” (a name given to him by his 10 yr. old sister at birth) by his family and closest friends, has been an “Integral” part in the early success of our two Holiday Inn’s in the New Orleans area. As the Director of Accounting overseeing the day to day Accounting for both properties, Ralph’s attention to detail, consistency, and wealth of experience have provided a solid foundation. Out of college Ralph worked as the Front Desk Manager for the Marriott Courtyard in Baton Rouge gaining experience in all facets of the hotel including F&B, Housekeeping, and the Front Desk. His experience with Courtyard included opening a Courtyard property in Baton Rouge, a skill that proved very important to our opening of two hotels in 2009.
Ralph took an audit position with ConocoPhillips after his days with Courtyard and it is here where he honed his analytical and accounting skills. His return back to the hotel industry was in Accounting and in January 2009, Ralph made a move from the Westin New Orleans to join our team in Gretna as we prepared for the opening of our property. Immediately, his value was realized as he was a major part in not only establishing our accounting practices at the hotel but also in preparing rooms for opening and showcasing his calm leadership and loveable personality. Ralph was the 3rd Quarter Manager of the Quarter and did such a fine job in Gretna that the opportunity was presented to him to also handle the next property in our New Orleans pipeline which led him to dual role he currently hold.
Ralph’s dad played football at LSU in ’49 & ’50 and since the time Ralph could walk, he has donned his purple and gold in Death Valley. Aside from being the biggest LSU fan, Ralph is also Mr. French Quarter residing in and loving the unique charm of New Orleans’ most notorious attraction. Ralph describes himself as a normal guy with 3 dogs and 2 cats that he adores. His passion is gardening, a love he inherited from his mother.
It is indeed a pleasure having Ralph on our team!