Tara C. Hernandez, Commissioner, appointed to the Board July 2016, is President of New Orleans-based JCH Properties, a boutique urban real estate development firm that specializes in the conversion of underutilized real estate into residential, commercial and mixed-use redevelopment projects. She has led or participated in the development of residential, mixed-use, mixed-income and commercial development projects in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri, often involving public-private partnerships.

Hernandez holds a finance degree from Loyola University New Orleans and a Master of Science in real estate development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is active on several national, local industry and non-profit boards. Hernandez is the immediate past chair of the board of directors for Greater New Orleans Inc., the region’s foremost economic development agency. She also serves on the executive boards of the Idea Village and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Foundation.

Hernandez was recent chair of the Urban Land Institute’s National Hines Competition Jury and has received local awards from the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans and New Orleans Business Alliance. She brings a wealth of experience in real estate development and entrepreneurial endeavors to the Board and is a respected leader within the Greater New Orleans business community.