Board members

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Ernest P. Price, Jr., Chairman

Entergy Corporation

Ernest Price Jr. is a lifelong New Orleans resident   with a strong record of community engagement. He has served on the Board of  Directors of the New Orleans Recreation Development Foundation since June 2017 and has held the roles of Board Chair and Commissioner on the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission since June 2019. He joined the Board of Directors for Educare New Orleans in September 2019 and served as Vice Chairman until the board’s dissolution in April 2025, when its responsibilities transitioned to Clover New Orleans, Inc. Ernest currently serves on the Board of Directors for Clover New Orleans, Inc.

Ernest holds a BS in Electrical Engineering and an MBA, both from Louisiana State University. Professionally, Ernest is a Senior Manager in Entergy Corporation’s Incident Response department, where he ensures effective business continuity planning and coordinated, safe response to incidents impacting customers and the communities Entergy serves. He began his career at Entergy as a summer intern   in 2004 and has previously worked in Risk & Insurance Management, Organizational Health & Diversity, Financial Planning, and Corporate Development.

Ernest and his spouse, Crystal Marks-Price of Lafayette, LA, own five McDonald’s franchises, including two in the New Orleans metropolitan area. They are the proud parents of their 8‑year‑old son, Caiden, who actively participates in   NORD athletics, including baseball, soccer, and basketball.

Ryan Berger

The Berger Company

Ryan Berger is an Executive Principal of The Berger Company, a real estate investment and development company headquartered in the French Quarter. The Berger Company has established an arrayed portfolio of retail, hospitality, parking, and real estate debt holdings in New Orleans and select markets nationally.

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Ryan is deeply committed to serving the New Orleans community. He serves or has served on the Boards of New Orleans & Company, French Quarter Festivals Inc, Isidore Newman School, WYES, and the NOCCA Foundation. Ryan previously served as a Co-Chair on Mayor Helena Moreno’s Transition Committee and as the Board Chair for The 18th Ward, and he has had leadership roles with and is a proud supporter of the Vieux Carré Commission Foundation, the Audubon Nature Institute, Junior Achievement, Early Partners, and Son of a Saint.

Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

He and his wife Amanda live in Uptown New Orleans with their two young daughters.

Max Gruenig

Gallagher

Max Gruenig is a commercial insurance agent with Gallagher and an active community leader in New Orleans. He currently serves on the boards of the Lakeview Boosters Club, Inc., the Krewe of Mid-City, and the American Subcontractors Association of Southeast Louisiana.

As President of the Lakeview Boosters Club, Max has helped lead the organization's growth into one of the largest volunteer-run youth recreation programs in the Greater New Orleans area, serving more than 2,400 athletes annually across seven sports. Today, Lakeview families come from more than 15 ZIP codes throughout the metropolitan area, including neighborhoods in Lakeview, Gentilly, Mid-City, Lake Terrace, New Orleans East. During his tenure, the organization has completed significant facility improvements, expanded programming opportunities, and strengthened financial assistance efforts to ensure youth sports remain accessible to families across the metro area.

Max previously served on the board of the Christian Brothers Foundation and the St. Pius X Men's Club Board and was a member of the Jesuit High School Alumni Steering Committee. He has also volunteered and supported fundraising and community events benefiting Boys Hope Girls Hope of Greater New Orleans and Good Shepherd School.

A lifelong resident of the Gentilly area and father of three children, Max is a passionate advocate for youth programs, education, and community engagement. His wife volunteers as a NORDC volleyball and softball coach at Lakeview Playground, where their family remains actively involved. Together, they are committed to strengthening organizations that invest in children, families, and neighborhoods throughout the Greater New Orleans area. 

Dwayne Jones

Dwayne Jones is a lifelong New Orleanian whose passion for athletics, leadership, and community service has shaped both his personal and professional life. Growing up in New Orleans, Dwayne excelled in youth sports from an early age, developing a love for competition and teamwork that would eventually take him to the national stage. As a youth athlete, he earned the distinction of representing the United States as a member of the United States Youth National Soccer Team, competing alongside some of the nation’s top young soccer players.
 

His success on the field led him to Clemson University, where he played collegiate soccer and continued to develop the leadership skills and work ethic that would define his future career. Following his time at Clemson, Dwayne returned home to New Orleans and completed his education at University of New Orleans, earning a degree in Business Management.
 

Professionally, Dwayne has spent more than a decade in the medical device industry, building a reputation for excellence, relationship-building, and a commitment to improving patient care. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with physicians, hospitals, and healthcare teams across the Gulf South, helping bring innovative technologies and treatment options to patients.
 

Outside of his professional accomplishments, Dwayne is deeply committed to mentoring and developing young athletes. For many years, he has coached youth softball, helping young players build confidence, discipline, and a love for the game. His coaching philosophy emphasizes character, accountability, teamwork, and personal growth, believing that sports provide some of life’s most valuable lessons. He has also spent several summers mentoring children through the New Orleans Jesters program, where he worked to inspire and guide the next generation of athletes.
 

Dwayne remains passionate about giving back to the community that helped shape him. Whether through coaching, mentorship, or professional leadership, he strives to make a positive impact on the lives of others. He currently resides in the Gentilly neighborhood of New Orleans with his wife, Kara, and their daughter, Sawyer, where they remain actively involved in youth sports and community activities.

Carrie Marks

Carrie Marks is a dedicated community volunteer and nonprofit leader. As a former educator, she believes that learning and growth develop not only in the classroom, but also through recreation, mentorship, athletics, and civic engagement. 

Through her volunteer work, Carrie has focused on strengthening organizations that support families and create opportunities for children to thrive. She has served in numerous leadership and fundraising roles with educational, civic, and cultural nonprofits across New Orleans. She is currently involved with the JCC, Louisiana Children's Museum, Touro Synagogue, Newman School and McGehee School.

Carrie and her husband, Austin, live in New Orleans with their three children. As a parent, Carrie has seen firsthand how access to recreational programming builds confidence and fosters meaningful connections. She is honored to support NORD's mission of expanding opportunities for children and families throughout New Orleans.

Tonia R. Moore, Ph.D.

Ochsner Health

Tonia R. Moore, Ph.D. currently serves as assistant vice president of community and public affairs for Ochsner Health. In her role, she focuses on community outreach and engagement, public affairs, and government relations. Tonia has years of experience in public health, health care, economic development and government relations in both the private and public sectors. 

She currently serves on the boards of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, University of Louisiana System Foundation, and advisory boards for Ochsner Medical Center Westbank and the University of Holy Cross president. 

Tonia received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in political science from Southern University and A & M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She also obtained a Master of Science in health care management from the University of New Orleans, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in executive leadership at the University of Holy Cross. 

Community involvement is important to Tonia as she gives a great deal of her time to volunteering with professional, community and political organizations. Tonia enjoys experiencing new adventures, traveling, and reading. A personal goal for Tonia is to visit all the US presidential libraries.

Karl Washington

Karl Washington is a veteran Event Production Manager with more than 35 years of experience producing large-scale festivals, concerts, civic ceremonies, and community events across New Orleans, Chicago, and international markets. A recognized New Orleans culture bearer and community leader in the Upper Ninth Ward Desire Community, he specializes in culturally grounded, community-centered programming and has built strong relationships with government officials, coaches, musicians, and community leaders. 

Karl has served as an event producer for the City of New Orleans under the Ray Nagin administration, managing high-visibility events such as the City New Year’s Eve Ball Drop Celebration, the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball, State of the City Addresses, mayoral inaugurations, Essence Festival welcome events, and other major citywide programs. 

Deeply committed to youth and community development, Karl created the Global Youth Week Initiative, launched and taught youth special event production programs, and has mentored young people through arts and recreation as a NORD Volunteer Coach. He took a leading role in helping save his alma mater, Carver High School, when it was slated for closure, and organized community efforts to help revitalize Sampson Park. 

Karl holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Southern University at New Orleans and has cultivated global cultural connections through work and travel in West Africa, South Africa, and the Caribbean.

Roy Williams

Greater New Orleans Foundation

Roy Williams currently serves as Director of Grantmaking at the Greater New Orleans Foundation where he works to improve grantmaking processes to ensure the Foundation is responsive to community needs. 

Roy has spent his career working to improve community conditions in local government and the nonprofit sector. He understands the challenges nonprofits face and is committed to helping them find the support they need to succeed. Roy employs a collaborative and inclusive approach to decision-making, working closely with stakeholders to make funding decisions that are aligned with the needs and priorities of the communities they serve. 

Roy holds a BA in Psychology and earned a Master of Public Administration from the John Lewis Public Administration Program, both from Tulane University. 

He is committed to improving the lives of young people in New Orleans, creating positive change and inspiring the next generation of philanthropists and grantmakers.