Historic New Orleans Collection welcomes Tracie Haydel Griffin and Shelby Russ to Board of Directors

Written By Alicia Vial

NEW ORLEANS — The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) has welcomed Tracie Haydel Griffin and Shelby Russ to its Board of Directors. Their appointments strengthen HNOC’s commitment to preserving, interpreting and sharing the complex history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South while bringing additional expertise to the institution’s leadership.

Griffin, a fourth-generation member of the Chase family, serves as restaurant manager at Dooky Chase’s Restaurant, where she helps carry forward one of New Orleans’ most significant culinary and cultural legacies. Her work reflects a longstanding commitment to preserving the culinary culture and traditions that have shaped New Orleans’ identity. Her community leadership extends to Second Harvest Food Bank, the American Heart Association and the Alabama Department for Public Health.

Russ is president and CEO of AOS Interior Environments, the Gulf South’s leading provider of commercial interior furnishings and manufactured interior construction. During more than four decades with AOS, he has held numerous leadership positions and guided the company through significant periods of change, including Hurricane Katrina, the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in the regional marketplace. A longtime civic leader, Russ has served in leadership roles with organizations spanning economic development, arts and culture, education, architecture, historic preservation and regional public policy.

“I am thrilled to welcome Tracie Haydel Griffin and Shelby Russ to the board of directors of the Historic New Orleans Collection,“ said Daniel Hammer, HNOC president and CEO. “As highly accomplished professionals and respected community leaders, Tracie and Shelby's insight and guidance will contribute immeasurably to growing the impact of HNOC's work to steward the history and culture of New Orleans and the region.”

As the world’s largest holder of materials related to the history of New Orleans and the Gulf South, HNOC brings together research, stories, objects, documents and works of art to deepen understanding of the region’s past and its continuing influence on the present and future. Griffin and Russ join HNOC’s Board of Directors at a time of continued growth as the institution undertakes an effort to restore, renew and reimagine its original campus at 533 Royal Street.

To learn more about HNOC and its Board of Directors visit hnoc.org.

###

About the Historic New Orleans Collection

The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) is a nonprofit institution dedicated to preserving the distinctive history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Founded in 1966 through the Kemper and Leila Williams Foundation, HNOC operates as a free museum, research center and publisher spanning more than 14 historic buildings in the heart of the French Quarter. For more information visit hnoc.org.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

Next

Junior League of New Orleans’ 15th annual TOUCH-A-TRUCK® rolls into a bigger home this year at the Alario Center