Mark & David |
Photo by the Staff
Of New Orleans Tourism
New Orleans); and an
integral part of the
New Orleans Saints
Hall of Fame.
Being the hardworking
individual
that he is, Mark
reflects on New
Orleans in stating,
“It falls on the city to
show visitors a city that
works, is clean and is safe.
A city that works is a city that
people will want to visit. And we
have over 68 percent of visitors who
come back to us.”
In upholding these objectives,
Mark aims to help promote small
and minority-owned businesses. “The
Caramel Curves is a group of women
who glam-up and ride motorbikes.
They were formed after Katrina,” he
explained. “They’re a support group
of all business women and they love
motorbikes. They promote visits to
parts of the city that aren’t normally
discussed in tourism, like Bayou
COVER STORY
Road, Half Shell on the Bayou, Lil’
Dizzy’s, Whisky and Sticks, Algiers
Point, Kermit Ruffins, and where
the Mardi
Gras Indian tribes
practice.”
practice
In
ing
M
n
s
In addition to supporting
local businesses,
Mark is initiating a
new healthcare access
system for workers.
“We are working with
504Healthnet right
now for the
W
5
clinics and the hospitality workers,”
he said. “What we learned in the
series of public meetings is that there
is a great need for healthcare access
for hospitality workers. These employees
work two or three jobs, with kids
and families. We want to help them
navigate the healthcare system and
make sure they get what they need
to take care of themselves and loved
ones. Whether contract or shifts, we
want them to get access to clinics and
primary care while managing jobs and
staying healthy.”
With a deep, reflective gaze, Mark
recalls how homesick he gets when
traveling out of New Orleans. “When
I lived away, like when I was in DC, I
got homesick very quickly,” he mused.
“There’s something about the culture
of our city that pulls you back.”
Knowing this feeling, Mark strives
to help the hospitality and tourism
industries recreate this experience,
as it harke
harkens to the core of its people
and visitors.visito
Those who know him
are amazed – but not surprised
– at how much he sacrifices
am
at
an
and devotes toward the
benefit of his beloved city,
while showing kindness to
everyone.
With his snow-white
hair and kind disposition,
Mark holds a
bright and warmhearted
tenderness to his voice.
As a wonderful listener
and conversationalist, his
genuine nature shines out
as his eyes smile along with
every grin and laugh that he
shares with others. So, though
he didn’t become a dentist, he
a
ev
share
did
stop
never stopped putting bright smiles
on on the the fac
faces of everyone he met.
“If I see a need I try to bring a solution
to it,” he emphasized. “I try to
make each day better than the day
before. If I see something, I try to find
an answer that’s sustainable; that will
help pave the way for the next person.
Show by doing. I don’t want to be in
front of the parade. I want to be with
my team, and show by my actions. I
trust people that they will do the right
thing.” ��
t
ors PHOTOS COURTESY OF MARK ROMIG
18 | BREAKTHRU MEDIA | breakthrumediamagazine.com J U LY / AU G U S T 2 0 1 9
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