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

Cindy Hayes, CMP, DMCP

General Manager

Cindy Hayes, General Manager, joined PRA New Orleans in September 2013 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

Jessica Wilkinson

Senior Event Producer

Jessica grew up in the swampy Cajun country outside Lafayette, Louisiana, with a Texan father and Honduran mother who grew up in New Orleans. After graduating from LSU with a degree in interior architecture and design, she moved to NYC for an internship. This is where her passion for special events began – she had to pay the bills somehow and working events for a catering company did the trick. Her next move to Royal Caribbean as an event planner kept her moving up and down the coast and through the islands, but she never forgot home or that intoxicating New Orleans spirit. So…she came back! For the next several years Jessica focused her experience on designing and operating high end, custom events and weddings. After working in the events industry in New Orleans for over a decade, she found that her favorite part is seeing the clients’ faces when they walk into an event that she designed for. Surprise, delight and then a big smile as they see all the planning and preparation transformed into their mutual unique vision. In Jessica's downtime, she loves to refurbish and redesign neglected furniture and accent pieces for her house and her friends.

Lindsey Rinaudo

Regional Sales Manager

Lindsey Rinaudo was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana which can attribute to her very twangy accent, but she is a New Orleans girl at heart! After she graduated from LSU Baton Rouge with a Bachelors in Food Science and Nutrition, she scored her first position in hospitality as a Sales Coordinator at the historic Le Pavillon Hotel. Within the first week she knew that the hospitality industry was where she was meant to be! Lindsey immediately fell in love with New Orleans' beauty and charm that Le Pavillon embodied. It wasn’t long before she wanted a larger role with a broader range of responsibility. In June of 2018, she was offered a position as a Conference Service Manager at a larger hotel. That year she learned so much about the industry, the interworking’s of a conference size hotel, each department’s role and how they all work together to create a quality guest experience, event and program. Fast forward to today and Lindsey has her dream job with PRA! She gets to showcase New Orleans to clients and curate an individualized experience, specific to them. New Orleans is a special city –  rich with history that is so unique that there isn’t anywhere else like it.

Hannah Wagner

Event Coordinator

Hannah Wagner graduated from Louisiana State University in spring of 2022, where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration with a double minor in Business and Mass Communication. During her time at LSU, she fell in love with event planning as she was the social coordinator for her Greek life involvement with Delta Delta Delta. She then knew she wanted to find a career in the event planning and hospitality industry. Hannah was very excited to discover a company like PRA that would give her the opportunity to be able to plan incredible events right after college. She is very excited to relocate to New Orleans where she can experience all the amazing concerts, food, shops, and scenery the city has to offer.