Please take part in our Reader Survey!

Hey, Mr. Exec—Let's Do Lunch!

by Bret J. Villars

“Let’s do lunch!” How many times have you heard or said that? The invitation means so much more than just the consumption of food. It means getting together with friends to catch up on the latest gossip. It means trying out the new sandwich shop on the corner. Sometimes it means red beans and rice, muffalettas, po-boys and seafood specials. It means a chance to capture someone’s attention, at least ’till dessert arrives.

To Doug Kibler, northshore based-PMO Link’s vice president and CIO, “Let’s do lunch” meant opportunity. It meant the opportunity to meet an executive who would normally be out of reach. Someone like Ray Johnson, vice president of Entergy.

How did he accomplish this? Doug won an auction to have lunch with Mr. Johnson. No, you can’t find this on eBay. The auction was presented by the Louisiana Technology Council (see sidebar) through its Executive Connect program. Executive Connect provides organizations and individuals with the ability to bid online for the unique opportunity to take a prominent executive or individual to lunch.

New auctions are posted each month, running live eBay-type bidding for two weeks and silent for four days. The winning bid and bidder are then announced, and lunch is arranged. The proceeds from this program go directly towards the support of the Louisiana Technology Council.

Past auctions were held for Ed Munez, mayor of Kenner; Eric Paulsen,WWL-TV; Michael Olivier, Louisiana Economic Development; Tim Ryan, PhD, UNO; Mike Hoss, WWL-TV; Tim Coulon, Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District; Donald Bollinger, Bollinger Shipyards, Inc.; Senator David Vitter; John ‘Spud” McConnell, WWL Radio; David Erwin, Adams and Reese LLP; Jim Hanzo, Diva 92.3 and Rick Jones, Tulane baseball coach. Future auction possibilities include Congressman Bobby Jindal; Ken Wright, local president of PetroCom and New Orleans Saints players and staff.

For a whole new perspective on “Let’s do lunch,” visit executiveconnect.org. You can start bidding immediately, or get more information and view a list of previously auctioned executives as well as the winners and their bids.
Happy bidding and good lunching!