McCombs TODAY

McCombs Alumni Share Stories of Loss and Renewal in New Orleans

Three years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged much of New Orleans, many of the more than 200 McCombs alumni working in the city say they’re committed to revitalizing the city’s business and cultural landscape. Texas magazine caught up with several of them, and we continue their stories here on McCombs TODAY. Feel free to add your own New Orleans stories in the comments.

Lisa Beverly Stafford, BBA ‘86
“I have worked at the National Finance Center since 1989, and I just recently returned from Philadelphia, PA, where we deployed to continue our business operations during Hurricane Gustav. We did the same during Hurricane Katrina, but at that time I lost my home and a car in the flood waters that resulted.

“While in Philadelphia, we rode out Tropical Storm Hanna. Our return was delayed due to the possibility of Hurricane Ike making landfall along the Gulf Coast. Fortunately, I was able to return about three days before Ike made landfall along the Texas coast.

“We are slowly getting back to normal, but we have much further to go in our recovery from Katrina, especially in Eastern New Orleans, where I live. I have been active in community groups, including serving as president of my homeowners association. Unfortunately, we have lost some businesses like Shell Oil and Wink Engineering. I hope to work with economic development groups to bring more businesses to the area so that we can diversify our economy beyond tourism.”

Michael Tu, BBA ‘06
“In my case, I ended up in New Orleans simply because that’s where my offer from Chevron was for. Initially, I actually did have some misgivings about moving to New Orleans. Those doubts have more than been erased since moving here, and now seem like a thing of the distant, distant past (I can’t even remember what I was worried about anymore).

“New Orleans is a city one doesn’t experience with just a short visit. The true New Orleans can be found in neighborhood dive bars that never make it onto travel guides, with the most unreal characters you’ll ever meet. It’s having more great food than you could eat in a lifetime, and bars that keep you going until the sun comes up. Music on the streets, jazz bands at funerals, and people looking for any excuse to party, any day of the week.

“People rent from century-old shotgun houses rather than sprawling new apartment complexes. More history can be found in a single block of New Orleans than an entire suburb of new developments elsewhere.

“Louisiana, in general, has always been an underdog. Nowhere is this more evident than in New Orleans - a city that has been knocked down time and time again. Its people are resilient, proud, and talented enough to keep the city coming back every time.”

Tu (front left) with friends in New Orleans.

Bill Strobel, BBA ‘75
“After going through Katrina, you certainly have flashlights and plenty of batteries on hand at all times.”

On what has changed since storm: “Traffic is worse, utilities have doubled; property tax, car insurance and general cost of living have increased; restaurants might be closed two days a a week or closed for lunch.”

Pamela Lyles, BBA ‘77
“Prior to Hurricane Katrina, my husband had a classic car restoration business, and I helped him in the office. The business was under 6 feet of water from Katrina and totally destroyed. As of today, we are still waiting for our wind and storm insurance company to pay us even though the flood insurance check arrived quickly. We think we are in the final negotiations of the settlement. This is what a lot of small businesses have faced and are still facing due to Hurricane Katrina, Gustav and Ike.

Pam Lyles with husband Jack W. Lyles, Jr (far left) and friend at the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience in May 2008.

“Out of bad things come good ones, and I have now written and self-published a cookbook called “Da Cajn Critter: The Lifestyles, The Rules, and Makin’ Groceries.” During our four-month evacuation, I organized the book and got it ready to promote with publishers.”