Ballard Brands

Paul Ballard is an owner of Ballard Brands, LLC, a leader in the food and beverage industry, including PJ's Coffee of New Orleans, WOW Café American Grill & Wingery, The Original City Diner, New Orleans Roast, Ole Saint Kitchen & Tap, and Boardhouse Sandwiches. Paul Ballard is the founder of WOW Café American Grill & Wingery and has been a franchisee of PJ's Coffee for over 25 years. A lifelong New Orleanian and graduate of Tulane University, Paul Ballard has served as a Board of Directors member for The Youth Service Bureau, Alumni Board for Rockmont Christian Camp For Boys, and former US Lacrosse President for Louisiana. Paul received the "40 Under 40 Most Influential Businessmen of the Year" honor from Gambit Magazine in 2007.

Ballard Brands has been recognized by New Orleans City Business magazine as a "Top 100 Private Company" for four consecutive years and as "Best Business of the Year" by the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and earlier in 2020, were awarded the prestigious Tammany Award. Ballard Brands was recognized as a Louisiana Growth Leader by Louisiana Economic Development. Additionally, the Ballard Brothers were recognized as the LABI Free Enterprise Award recipients in 2019. Most recently, in September 2020, Paul Ballard along with his brothers, Steven & Scott was named Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of The Year 2020 Gulf Coast Area Award Finalists. Most recently, Ballard Brands received the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Business of the Year Award by the New Orleans chapter of Junior Achievement.

A father of four, Mr. Ballard currently resides in Mandeville, LA with his wife Torry Ballard, and supports various organizations, youth sporting teams, and charities.

Steven Ballard is an owner at Ballard Brands, LLC, a fast-casual dining leader based in Covington, LA. Born in New Orleans's own Baptist Hospital and raised in Metairie, Steven attended Grace King High School and Tulane University, graduating in 1993 with a degree in Sports Management and minors in sociology and business administration. At Tulane, he also was a four-year football letterman and a dean-appointed member of the Student Grievance Committee for the University College. Following college, Steven worked for 2 years at Northwestern Mutual where he excelled until moving to Athens to get his Master's Degree in Education from the University of Georgia. At UGA, Steven served as an Assistant Women's Gymnastics coach alongside his future wife, Lori (a 2-time former Olympic gymnast), and helped lead the team to 2 SEC Championships, a 3rd place finish in Nationals in 1997, and finally a National Championship in 1998.

Steven and Lori owned and operated 17 Smoothie Kings in North Carolina, while at the same time opening a PJ's Coffee in the area. Steven was recognized for the #1 retail sales in the Smoothie King national system, which earned him a spot on the EAS Supplements National Advisory Board in 1999.

Ballard Brands has been recognized by New Orleans City Business magazine as a "Top 100 Private Company" for four consecutive years and as "Best Business of the Year" by the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce in 2009 and most recently in 2020, were awarded the prestigious Tammany Award. Ballard Brands was recognized as a Louisiana Growth Leader by Louisiana Economic Development. Additionally, the Ballard Brothers were recognized as the LABI Free Enterprise Award recipients in 2019. Just last month, in September, Steven Ballard along with his brothers, Paul & Scott was named Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of The Year 2020 Gulf Coast Area Award Finalists. Most recently, Ballard Brands received the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Business of the Year Award by the New Orleans chapter of Junior Achievement.

Steven is a member of Leadership St. Tammany, has served on the United Way of St. Tammany Parish board for 5 years, is a member of both the Krewe of Olympia and Krewe of Bacchus, is proudly a member of the First Baptist Church of Covington, and continues to support many charities throughout the area. Steven and his wife, Lori, have three children.

Scott Ballard is owner of Ballard Brands, LLC, a fast casual dining leader based in Covington, Louisiana with his two brothers. Scott is also the founder of Ballard Hospitality, LLC, a logistics company that provides lifestyle services, housing and all logistical support to remote sites and beyond. In 2018, Ballard Brands entered into a strategic partnership with Garces Group out of Philadelphia, PA, forming IdEATion Hospitality. IdEATion Hospitality owns and operates fine dining and fast casual concepts in PA, NJ & NY. The company is active worldwide and is gradually becoming one of the largest in its sector. Scott is a former owner/operator of Smoothie King franchises in Georgia, North Carolina and Louisiana. Scott was a recipient of the Gambit's "40 Under 40" Businessmen to watch in 2007. Scott served on the LSU Board of Supervisors and served as the Chair of the Board from 2016-2017. He currently serves as an Executive Board member of the Committee of 100, the Young Presidents Organization (YPO Louisiana) and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI). He is a Board of Directors member for St. Tammany ChamberPac, Louisiana Boys and Girls Club, ForeKids Foundation, LABI, and Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. Scott is an active member of his community having served on the St. Tammany Hospital Foundation Board, the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Louisiana Student Assistant Commission. Currently, he is also a member of the St. Tammany and Greater New Orleans Chambers of Commerce.

Ballard Brands has been recognized by New Orleans City Business magazine as a "Top 100 Private Company" for four consecutive years and as "Best Business of the Year" by the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce and most recently in 2020, were awarded the prestigious Tammany Award. Additionally, the Ballard Brothers were recognized as the LABI Free Enterprise Award recipients in 2019. In 2020, Ballard Brands was recognized as a Louisiana Growth Leader by Louisiana Economic Development. Scott Ballard along with his brothers, Paul & Steven were named Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of The Year 2020 Gulf Coast Area Award Finalists. Most recently, Ballard Brands received the Oscar J. Tolmas Charitable Trust Business of the Year Award by the New Orleans chapter of Junior Achievement. Scott graduated from Tulane University with a degree in political science and economics. He is married to Kristi Ballard and is the father of three children.

Peter J. Boylan III is President and CEO for Ballard Brands and idEATion Hospitality. He joined Ballard Brands in 2009 on their Board of Advisors. Prior to being President and CEO he was Chief Development Officer and expanded the company's footprint across the U.S. as well as several international markets. Boylan has over 20 years of professional and executive leadership experience in a wide variety of companies including public, private, venture capital and private equity. He earned an MBA from Wake Forest University's Babcock Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Aerospace Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He is a decorated combat veteran who served with both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. He is Life member of VFW Post 8973 in New Orleans and served as Chairman Emeritus for the Board of Bastion, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds intentionally designed neighborhoods in New Orleans for returning warriors and families with lifelong rehabilitative needs. Peter is also a board member for the Southern Louisiana Friends of the Fisher House, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit focused on building a Fisher House for veterans and their families going through treatment at the VA Hospital in New Orleans.

Prior to joining Ballard Brands, LLC Mr. David Mesa, Jr. had been with Planet Beach Franchising Corporation since December of 2003 progressively holding more executive roles at the world headquarters than any other executive, most recently serving as their President of Franchise Operations where he was instrumental in their growth from 60 to over 350 locations. Prior to joining Planet Beach, Mr. Mesa served eight years as Director of Business Operations for Allegis Group, the largest privately held staffing company in the United States, Mr. Mesa also served eight years in the United States Marine Corp. as an Air Traffic Controller. In March 2005, he received the designation of Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) by the International Franchising Association for his work and study in the franchise industry and has maintained that designation to date. In 2019 Mesa also was appointed by US Secretary Ross to a 4 year term on the Louisiana District Export Council. Mr. Mesa currently lives in Harvey, Louisiana with his wife, Brandi and their 2 children. Mesa considers himself a musician and a golfer but must profess he is not very good at either.

Jeffery Giavotella serves as the Chief Financial Officer and member of the Advisory Board at Ballard Brands. Jeffery brings an exceptional mix of financial acumen and innovative leadership. In his role, Jeffery adeptly manages the intricate financial dynamics of the organization. He oversees a team responsible for key functions including treasury management, performance analysis, financial accounting, fiscal auditing, and comprehensive risk management. Moreover, he plays a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing external relationships with banks, vendors, and customers.

His journey with Ballard Brands began in 2006 as the Director of Finance tasked with an ambitious goal to consolidate financial operations internally. Jeffery embarked on this journey with nothing but his personal laptop and a vision. His efforts not only established the company's financial integrity but also nurtured a skilled team, mirroring his dedication to precision and excellence.

Jeffery's promotion to Chief Financial Officer in 2009 marked a pivotal moment in his career. His expertise in envisioning workflow processes and integrating diverse technologies has been crucial in scaling departments and enhancing operational efficiency, all key responsibilities of a modern day Chief Financial Officer. His innovative strategies in accounting, finance, and data analytics earned him international acclaim in 2020 when he was awarded the title of 'Global Finance Futurist', distinguishing him from thousands of accounting professionals from six countries.

Before his tenure at Ballard Brands, Jeffery was a driving force at Lifeguard Ambulance Service as the Executive Vice President & Partner, where he significantly expanded the company's market presence and was integral in various mergers and acquisitions.

Jeffery holds a bachelor's degree in finance from Tulane University and an MBA with a concentration in accounting from Louisiana State University. He also holds professional certifications in Data Analytics and Generative Artificial Intelligence. His belief in lifelong learning is a testament to his dedication to both personal and professional growth. Jeffery's wide-ranging proficiency in various financial areas aligns seamlessly with our diverse business model, making his expertise critical for our company's success.

Outside of his professional sphere, Jeffery is an enthusiast of the arts and sciences. His passion for oil painting and mixed media arts reveals a creative spirit, while his interest in astronomy and physics reflects a mind attuned to the mysteries of the universe. An outdoor enthusiast, skilled in financial investing, and an aficionado of small construction projects. Jeffery's diverse interests paint the picture of a well-rounded, deeply engaged individual. We almost forgot to mention Jeffery was a NREMT-Paramedic for the City of New Orleans 911 EMS Service back in the 1990's!

Felton Jones has spent close to 30 years enhancing the world of coffee and making his mark within the industry. Felton began working with PJ's Coffee in 1993 under the direction of Phyllis Jordan, the company's Founder. Throughout the past three decades, Felton served as General Manager of Coffee Operations, Quality Control Manager, Coffee Buyer and VP of Wholesale Operations. He was promoted to Chief Roast Master and Official Brand Ambassador in 1999, roles which he currently holds today. Mr. Jones is certified by the Specialty Coffee Association of America in green coffee purchasing and contracts. He is an active member of both the Specialty Coffee Association and the National Coffee Association of America. He has served as a judge for many industry competitions including the National Cold Brew Competition by Coffee Fest New York, The Guatemala Cup of Excellence and The Panama Cup of Excellence. Mr. Jones was recognized by the Louisiana Restaurant Association as a Louisiana Legend for 20 years of service in 2018 and he is a Board Member with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, Weights & Measures Division. He stays actively engaged within the community on all levels. He works hand in hand with the 5th District Police Department providing coffee for first responders. He is also involved with Camp Restore and played an integral role in the PJ's Coffee and Zulu partnership benefitting the New Orleans Social Aid & Pleasure Club. Felton has been happily married for 24 years and has two wonderful children.