Jeff O’Hara, CMP, DMCP

President

Jeff began his hospitality career in 1985, working part time while a student at Florida State University. His career has taken him to every corner of the hospitality industry – he has worked in luxury boutique hotels and 1,000 plus room “supertankers.” He has managed small restaurants and developed B&B’s. Jeff moved to New Orleans in 1992, for what he laughingly describes as “a two-year assignment” while he was with Sheraton Hotels. Falling hard in love with this unique, dynamic, “laissez le bon temps rouler” city, he has made it his home ever since. Since 1997 his focus has been on Destination Management, for which he has a unique passion. He has worked with groups around the country as well as internationally. Since purchasing the PRA New Orleans franchise in 2002, he has made the New Orleans destination experience his focus.

His enthusiasm for providing clients with a New Orleans experience, combined with knowledge of every corner, alley, venue and restaurant in the city, leads his team to an unmatched level of client satisfaction. He is known for making the impossible happen at a moment’s notice, and works diligently (often over a cocktail or a meal, as is tradition in New Orleans) to keep his relationships and network first rate.

A native of Kingston, NY, he received a BS in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University and an MBA from Tulane University. He is active in a number of industry associations and boards, including the Society of Hosts at Florida State University which named him Alumnus of the Year in 2004. Jeff spends much of his free time in the mountains of Colorado, where he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, golf and of course skiing.

Contact: Jeff.Ohara@PRA.com

Gabrielle Schick

Regional Sales Manager

Born and raised is a term that you hear quite frequently around town in New Orleans. I am proud to say that I am in that number. My family moved to Florida when I was young for a job opportunity, but we quickly rerouted our home back to New Orleans after one short year of being away. It’s true what people say about New Orleans natives, it’s hard to leave and we rarely ever stay away.

I am a proud graduate of St. Mary’s Dominican High School. During my time at Dominican, I truly learned a lot about myself and made lifelong friends. I enjoyed writing and spent most of my free time with friends. My passion for writing and grammar led me to enroll at Louisiana State University in the Mass Communication program. Studying public relations in college was a blast. I thought for sure post-graduation that I would be working in marketing or communications, so I applied with New Orleans’ local alternative newsweekly, Gambit. I worked with the company in advertising sales, but I knew that something in my life was missing.

Throughout my entire life, I have always been the person who gets all the girls together for dinner, plans major functions such as high school reunions and gives recommendations to friends and family for the best dinner spots in the city. I feel most alive when I have my hands all tangled up in planning events. Through my mentor, I was introduced to PRA. Although it seemed crazy and I was worried about making the change, I took a leap of faith and began working for the company in February 2018 right after Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras is my favorite holiday of the year! I am a member of the Krewe of Cleopatra and the Muff-a-lottas Dance Troupe. Through these groups and PRA, I can finally say that I truly believe that I am giving back to this city that I call home. A city filled with unimagined culture and creativity that is so genuine. I look forward to spending the years to come giving clients this same experience, one that I have experienced my entire life.

Contact: Gabby.Schick@PRA.com

Cindy Hayes, CMP, DMCP

Director of Sales

Cindy Hayes joined PRA New Orleans in September 2013 as Director of Sales after an extensive career for over 29 years with the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.

As a native to New Orleans, Cindy fell in love with hospitality industry when the city hosted the World’s Fair in 1984. She knew being an integral part of selling the culture she cherishes, the genuine hospitality for which New Orleanians are known, and the unique experiences the city and region offer would be the foundation for her career. Days after earning a B.S. in Business Administration from LSU in Baton Rouge, Cindy launched her career with the Hyatt Regency New Orleans as a Sales Assistant. The contagiousness of the hotel business was inevitable. Never stopping to take a breath, she was quickly recognized as a rising star and became a Convention Services Manager, Sales Manager, Senior Sales Manager, Associate Director of Sales, Director of Sales, and Director of National Accounts for the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.

Her passion for hospitality resonates with our PRA customers and team. “Being the best of the best wins business and customer loyalty,” says Cindy.

Cindy is an active member of a number of industry organizations. She spends much of her free time with her husband Billy and two sons, Hunter & Tanner. She’s an avid LSU & Saints fan and enjoys good wine, great food, travel, and the outdoors.

Contact: Cindy.Hayes@PRA.com

Courtney Fields, DMCP

Event Producer

Although Courtney Fields was born and raised in Destrehan, she found herself stranded in the desert for four years while attending the University of Arizona. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with minors in Marketing and Leadership Studies and Practice. She stayed busy in Arizona as the Director of the Philanthropy Advisory Board and as President of her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.

After graduating, Courtney spent two years as a Leadership Consultant for her sorority. She was elated when she was sent to New Orleans to recolonize ADPi at Tulane University. Courtney loves to travel and so far has been to 32 states and 6 countries. In her spare time she is a youth group advisor and volunteers with Parkinson’s Action Network.

After a year of constant travel, Courtney decided it was time to once again call New Orleans her home. She joined PRA in September 2015 and is excited to share her love for NOLA with others.

Contact: Courtney.Fields@PRA.com

Katie Poche, DMCP

Regional Sales Manager

Born and raised in New Orleans, Katie Poche went against the grain of most New Orleanians by leaving state and attending The University of Alabama. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Restaurants, Hotels, and Meetings Management. She spent her time at the University as an active member in the Kappa Delta Sorority and an avid fan of Alabama Football.

After graduating, Katie moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. While out West, she worked in a hotel and a restaurant and enjoyed some of her favorite outdoor activities on a daily basis such as, hiking, biking, camping, rafting, and her most favorite of all, skiing.

Katie knew she would always wind up back in New Orleans. After her adventures out West, she decided it was time to move home and focus more on her career joining our team in January of 2014. She’s excited and looks forward to a rewarding future with PRA.

Contact: Katie.Poche@PRA.com

Sarah Howard, DMCP

Senior Event Producer

Although born and raised in Houston, Texas, Sarah made her way to New Orleans as quickly as she could. She attended Loyola University New Orleans, graduating Cum Laude in 2008 with a B.A. in Marketing. Not every moment, however, was spent studying — Sarah was a captain of the Wolfpack Volleyball team, served as Vice President of Theta Phi Alpha, and fell in love with the city of New Orleans. After graduation, Sarah returned to her roots in Texas to start her career in event planning and marketing. She worked for an event planning, association management, and destination management company working with both non-profit and corporate clients and gaining varied experience in the hospitality industry, ranging from coordinating a stop for the MS 150 to executing the award-winning Australian American Chamber of Commerce’s Australia Week. Having developed a strong foundation in event planning, marketing and management, Sarah jumped at the chance to move back to the city she loves and to join the PRA New Orleans team.

Sarah’s first love is Kentucky Basketball and never misses a game if possible. In her free time, she is typically found watching a sporting event, reading a mystery book, watching Criminal Minds, or enjoying the latest movie. Her second love is her puppy, Weezy, and can also be found at the closest dog park.

Contact: Sarah.Howard@PRA.com