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OUR FOUNDER

Carol Balthazar played a fundamental role in the wholesale distribution industry.

A seasoned professional with diversified experience in the corporate, entrepreneurial and academic sectors, Carol possessed expertise in policy and program development and management, business and entrepreneurial development, minority and women affairs, and corporate/public affairs/strategic alliances.

An entrepreneur and business-woman to her core, Balthazar Electriks was Carol Balthazar‘s crowning achievement and passion project for the past 25 years. Her professional career began in New York where she learned how to navigate the corporate world, and more importantly fine-tuned her natural ability to connect and network with anyone she met.

She brought that knowledge and experience back to Louisiana when she returned in 1993 and founded Balthazar Electriks.

An advocate for small businesses, Carol founded the RiverWorks Business Development Group in 1992 and worked with the Port of New Orleans as its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) consultant until 2016.

Carol was also a proud member of The Collaborative, a group of small-business owners and citizens advocating for economic equity and parity in New Orleans.

EDUCATION

  • M.B.A., Pace University – Executive MBA Program, New York, 1982

  • M.S.W., Social Policy, Planning and Administration, Atlanta University, School of Social Work, 1974

  • B.A. Sociology, Xavier University of Louisiana, 1972

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

  • The New Orleans Council of Regional Chamber of Commerce

  • Vice Chairperson, 2003-2004

  • Louisiana Art Works of The Arts Council of New Orleans

  • Secretary of the Board

  • Care & Development Center

  • Community Health Care Center

  • Each One Save One Mentoring Program

  • Founding Board Member – Retired

AWARDS

  • Positive Men & Women Community Leaders Award - 2001

  • New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport DBE of The Year – 2001

  • Mentor / Preneur Award

  • U.S. Dept. of Commerce, New Orleans, Minority Business Development Agency, Louisiana Supplier/Distributor of The Year – 1995

  • City Business, Business Women of The Year (with Partner Karin Grant Hopkins) – 1993

  • Dollars & Sense Magazine, Top 100 Business & Professional Women – 1988 (National)

  • The City of New York, YWCA, Salute to Women Achievers – 1987

  • New Orleans International Airport Supplier of The Year – 1999

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