ARNA works year-round to ensure our neighborhood has input and is proactive on issues affecting our part of the city.
stacey ducombs - PAST PRESIDENT
ARNA is mourning the loss of one of our most active members. Stacey Elizabeth Ducombs, ACNP, MSN, APRN passed away recently at the age of 51. She was born on August 5, 1973 to her father Larry Albert Ducombs and her adoring mother Rosalind Roussel Ducombs, who preceded her in death. Stacey was a resident of New Orleans and lived most of her life in the 4-parish area. Stacey's education included Harahan Elementary, Riverdale High School, USL School of Nursing, University of Texas Arlington and University of South Alabama, acquiring Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Arts in Literature. Stacey enjoyed a 29-year career in medicine with stints at Our Lady of the Lake, Touro Infirmary, Ochsner Healthcare, Scott & White Health and Tulane University, ending as Nurse Practitioner specializing in Cardiology at LSU Healthcare Network, combining health care with medical education. Her outside interests included travel, socializing, volunteering, membership in Mardi Gras Krewes, the first of which was as a charter member of the Mystical Krewe of Nyx. Stacey was the Secretary of the Audubon Riverside Neighborhood Association, later becoming President. She also volunteered services at Children's Hospital.
tom rey - PRESIDENT
Tom's family has been in the neighborhood (and in the same house) for five generations now. He has been active in preserving our unique neighborhood and community since the beginning of ARNA and with other neighborhood associations past and present in New Orleans. He's looking forward to meeting as many of his neighbors as possible to build a strong sense of community in our neighborhood.
TORI EMMERLING - VICE PRESIDENT / PLANNING & ZONING
Rob Denny - Treasurer
NICOLE WILLIAMSON - Secretary
Nicole has lived in Audubon Riverside since 1991, and grew up in the Audubon area. She works as a Director of Presentations and Information with Festival Productions, Inc.-New Orleans, the producers of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and previously the Bayou Country Superfest, the Essence Music Festival, and many others. 2024 will be her 30th Jazz Fest with the company and she doesn't really know how to do anything else. When not working, she enjoys playing tennis (in the neighborhood!), reading, Pilates (in the neighborhood!), live music, fantasizing about planting trees (in the neighborhood!), rolling with her friends, riding her bike instead of driving, waiting for return texts from her 16-year-old niece, and fixing broken things on her house. She is too lazy to volunteer for much of anything, but when she does, it's for Mardi Gras Indians and social aid & pleasure clubs. She has long referred to our neighborhood as "the sanctuary," a peaceful corner in a loud city. Along with all the wonderful neighbors and ARNA, she hopes we can maintain that designation. She strongly believes in the old adage by Jed Barlet on the West Wing (really Margaret Mead): “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”
MELISA REY - Community Relations / membership
Melisa moved into the neighborhood 19 years ago as a transplant from Metairie & she'll never go back! She loves the interconnectedness of nola and it's unique blend of old & new, rich & poor and the unparalled character of Uptown. Melisa lives with her husband Tom and their two teenage daughters. Their daughters are the fifth generation to live in their home in this slice of heaven we call Audubon Riverside. Melisa loves to volunteer in a variety of businesses and with at risk groups. She prides herself on supporting neighbors and developing relationships so working with ARNA to support membership and building community is a honor
MONICA CLARK - Public Safety
Monica is a life-long activist who is committed to building community. Her work as a Consultant and Social Scientist incorporates federal funding, political organizing, food access, the environment and civic engagement. Monica has lived in the neighborhood for seven years. She first came to New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity to rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina. Her weekly radio show on 102.3 fm called, "Dig This!" is about gardening, growing food and agricultural opportunities in Louisiana. Monica is focused on the walkability of the Audubon Riverside neighborhood, calming traffic, natural disaster recovery plans post catastrophic weather events and preserving this historic neighborhood.
Unassigned - Quality of Life / Beautification
JIM MCCUTCHEON - COMMUNICATIONS / IT
Jim has lived in Audubon Riverside since first coming to New Orleans from Illinois in the late 70’s. Now retired, Jim had a long career in Radio Broadcasting as a DJ and producing radio commercials and public service campaigns for local nonprofits.
He is a first time board member and looks forward to interacting with the community and keeping residents informed about happenings and opportunities in the area. If you have an event that you think everyone will want to know about, email Jim to get the word out.
MARY FANNING HORAIST - At-Large
Mary is originally from Audubon Riverside. She has a varied and extensive career in many fields including account management, systems and network design for AT&T, and TCM Consulting. After a break for her family and Hurricane Katrina, Mary was active in local government Emergency Operations and Preparedness and served with the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East. She now devotes her time to her new community and was featured in the City of New Orleans' Office of Neighborhood Engagement Citizen Spotlight Features in July of 2017. Mary served as President beginning in June of 2017, now fills an at-large seat.