The First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board announces next President, Officers and member

The First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board Announces Next President, Officers and Member

New Orleans – The First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ Board of Directors voted unanimously at its March 22nd Annual Meeting to appoint Andrew J. Cohoon, effective April 1st, as its next President. Cohoon will succeed John Barranco, who is completing his two-year term (2016-2018) as Board President.

“The First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ achievements have been steered by our staff, board, advisory board, parents and volunteers. I’ve been fortunate to have worked closely with such quality board and committee members and appreciate all they’ve done for The First Tee during my term. Our accomplishments over the past two years have been impressive, and it was truly a team effort. There have been so many noteworthy moments including; expanding our afterschool and summer programs to new facilities in St. Tammany and St. Charles Parishes, bringing in new schools to our National School Program, graduating several High School seniors from our program who received college scholarships and most recently, winning a national award for Diversity and Inclusion”, said Barranco of his term as President.

“I’d like to congratulate Andrew on his nomination as Board Chairman. I know our organization is in excellent hands. It’s also a two-for-one as we’ll also benefit from having Andrew’s wife, Susan, on board as a volunteer. Thank you once again for your support of the First Tee of Greater New Orleans!”

Cohoon started working as a draftsman for an architectural firm in 1975. Along with drafting services, he was also introduced to photography. Cohoon worked in the construction business until 2013 when he retired from Malin Construction Company, a commercial general contractor, as a senior project manager. Andrew’s photography career started in 1976 when he began working for The Associated Press as a freelance photographer. His first event was to cover the PGA Tour golf tournament in New Orleans. He has since covered several major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, Final Fours, Bowl Championship games, the New Orleans PGA Tour event, along with covering US Presidents, the Pope’s visit to New Orleans in 1987 and many other events. With his wife Susan, he started his own photography business, New Orleans Snapshots, in 2007 and has continued to enjoy the pleasures of photography.

Cohoon is an avid golfer who has been involved with The First Tee as a volunteer for several years before joining its Board in 2015. He is looking forward to his new role with The First Tee.

“I was raised by a widowed immigrant Mother from Mexico who taught me to be honest, respectful, work hard, have integrity and always persevere, traits which happen to be some of The First Tee’s Nine Core Values. I learned the game of golf by hitting wedges in Coliseum Square and fell in love with the game. The First Tee is a perfect fit for me and it has become my passion. I am humbled and honored to have been elected to lead the Board of Directors. We’ve done great things in our Chapter over the last few years and it’s my plan, through communication and team building, to bring our Chapter even further up the ladder of success. We’re touching lives, making good golfers, but more importantly, we’re helping to shape even greater young men and women in the Greater New Orleans area. I invite you to join our team.”

In addition to Cohoon’s election, The First Tee also announced that Beth Bares was elected to serve as the Vice President of its Board of Directors. Bares, Owner and Operator of Your Golf Event Management, has been in the golf industry for more than 20 years and joined The First Tee’s Board in 2016.

Brian Faucheux was elected Secretary of The First Tee’s Board of Directors. Faucheux has been a practicing architect in the New Orleans area for over 30 years. After joining Sizeler Thompson Brown Architects in 1998, he became a Principal in 2006.

Jeffrey Stephens was elected to join The First Tee’s Board of Directors, the group announced. Stephens has 20+ years of experience at all levels of Marine Transportation and Offshore Construction companies. For the last three years, Stephens has been the Director of Facilities and Marine Operations for Pinnacle Entertainment that operates the Boomtown Casino and Hotel in Gretna, La. Stephens has a 14-year old daughter in The First Tee program.

To learn more about The First Tee of Greater New Orleans’ youth development programs, visit www.thefirstteenola.org. All youth between the ages of 5 and 18 are eligible to participate in The First Tee’s programs and need-based scholarships are available for those who qualify. The First Tee of Greater New Orleans currently impacts over 28,000 local youth through its life skills, character education and healthy habits programs, taught through the game of golf.

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About The First Tee of Greater New Orleans:
The mission of The First Tee of Greater New Orleans is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices, through the game of golf.

The First Tee of Greater New Orleans serves youth ages 5 through 18 through after-school programs at thirteen local golf course and park locations. Its outreach programs have been introduced at more than 50 local elementary schools and youth development agencies. The First Tee of Greater New Orleans currently impacts over 28,000 youth participants, teaching The First Tee’s Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits through its out-of-school time programs and outreach programs.