Author Description
Michael Hecht is President & CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc., the economic development agency
for southeast Louisiana. GNO, Inc.’s mission is to create a region with a thriving economy
and an excellent quality of life, for everyone. Under Michael’s leadership, GNO, Inc. has been
named the “Top Economic Development Organization in the United States” by the International
Economic Development Council. Prior to GNO, Inc., Michael led Louisiana’s Hurricane
Katrina Small Business Recovery Program, and worked for Mayor Bloomberg running NYC’s
post-9/11 small business program. Michael holds an MBA from Stanford University and
undergraduate degree from Yale University. With family roots in Louisiana back to the 1830s,
Michael lives in New Orleans with his wife and two sons.
