Get a glimpse at the candidates that will help lead our neighborhood. You can also view online here.
Mark Kosiara
I was born and raised in Michigan, but I moved to New Orleans in 1989 to start my career with Shell Oil Company after graduating from Michigan Tech with an engineering degree. Initially, I lived in Metairie, but one Mardi Gras, a friend invited me to the Rectangle for the festivities. He didn’t want me to drive home after drinking, so I spent the entire weekend at his place on Dauphine. After that, I was hooked. The neighborhood was so eclectic, and the homes and people had such character. I rented a room from my friend until I bought my own home a couple of years later across from the Hubig Pies factory.
Over the years, my job has taken me to assignments in Houston, Anchorage, and Amsterdam, and I have traveled to over 60 countries in various roles with Shell. However, I was always drawn back to this neighborhood. I am passionate about helping to preserve the character of this walkable neighborhood while managing the necessities of growth and development that have always been a challenge over the last 30-some years I’ve lived here.
I have served as a Board member of a neighborhood association in Houston for over five years, and several of my roles at Shell included stakeholder engagement responsibilities in Louisiana, Texas, and Alaska. I would like to bring this experience to the FMIA and explore what else we might be able to do to preserve this neighborhood’s many positive attributes while minimizing the negative impacts of new developments.
To be completely transparent, retirement allows me to split my time between my homes in New Orleans and Houston, and I also spend time with my parents, and sibling’s families in Michigan when the heat gets at its worst in South. This has been manageable with my Houston Board position, and I hope it will be manageable for the FMIA as well.
Cory McGraw
Originally from Texas, I came to New Orleans to attend Tulane University School of Engineering and decided to stay in New Orleans after graduation. After living Uptown while attending school, I felt a better fit for me was Faubourg Marigny for its historic homes, eclectic vibe, and proximity to the French Quarter. I initially joined FMIA in search of support for tackling various issues within my neighborhood. I quickly learned it is an organization dedicated to maintaining the historic and cultural significance, while ensuring that change enhances our community. I hope to support this effort by lending my time to help preserve the various aspects of the Marigny that continue to appeal to both residents and visitors alike.
Jeremiah Johnson
I moved to New Orleans in early 2006 to volunteer at an inflection point in my own life. I was engaged with Common Ground, a grassroots organization born out of Hurricane Katrina, for nearly one year. After my time with Common Ground, I briefly returned to my hometown, Hendersonville, NC, and worked as an electrician's helper for about a month before returning to New Orleans. That limited experience allowed me to join a local company, Jack's Electric Service, Inc., as a helper and begin my journey in the construction industry. Within two years, I had advanced to become a Project Manager and self-taught tradesman and had obtained a state-wide master electrical license. Shortly thereafter, I returned to Harvard College, in Cambridge, MA, to complete my bachelor's in government before returning to NOLA, yet again, to start a company, Ready Power, which I still co-own and run today. I specialize in installing backup generators for residential and commercial clients across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, as well as throughout the United States for federal and state entities.
I lived in the Bywater for approximately six years before relocating to the Marigny in 2019, when I purchased a house on Spain St. I had long enjoyed the Marigny and aspired to live in such a great community. My wife, Ariel, and I became active members of FMIA in mid-2023 to invest in, participate in, and help steer our community towards a better future for us all. We now regularly attend meetings with our two sons, Xander and Kai.
I hope my board service will help the neighborhood in three main ways:
1) Creating and supporting an inviting and sustainable environment for businesses to succeed in and support the neighborhood.
2) Participate in the reduction of open drug use through both actively discouraging illicit behavior and encouraging support networks.
3) Pursuing alternative and proactive responses to blighted and out-of-commerce properties to help them transform into assets, not liabilities, for us all.
I most enjoy the Marigny because my family can walk and explore our great city, with each venture expecting a new surprise.
Margo Moss
I grew up in Woodstock, New York, but New Orleans has felt like home ever since I toured Tulane during Jazz Fest in 2003. I was hooked instantly and ready to trade in my snow boots for shrimp boots. Though Hurricane Katrina interrupted my time at Tulane and temporarily took me to Costa Rica, and later to Taiwan, I always felt the pull to return. No matter where I lived, New Orleans called me back. After coming back post-Katrina to finish school, I knew I wanted to put down roots and invest in the city I love. I started my company, L&M Environmental Response, in 2016 to support environmental compliance and disaster response across the Gulf Coast. And in 2020, I bought my home right here in the Marigny, a neighborhood that has always felt full of soul and character.
I joined the FMIA because I care deeply about preserving what makes the Marigny special. I currently serve on the Grants Committee, working to support local arts, culture, and sustainability initiatives that reflect the values of our community. What I love most about living here is the strong connections which underlie our culture with neighbors, with history, with music. You'll find me gardening, enjoying a slow walk with my senior dog, or heading out for a run with the Voodoo Hash group (with a cold beer after of course).
Jesse Paige
Having lived in New Orleans for a significant portion of my life, I am pleased to share my experiences. Originally from Ohio, I pursued my education in Kentucky before returning to what immediately felt like home after graduating. As a musician, my career has provided me with the opportunity to travel widely. Upon completing college, I moved to New Orleans with my band, possessing only $300 and funds for the initial month's rent. I had previously visited New Orleans to see a childhood friend who was attending Loyola Law School after completing their undergraduate studies at Tulane. Following those visits, I felt a sense of longing. Consequently, I embraced every opportunity to return, experiencing a sense of homesickness in between. It was clear that I felt a spiritual connection to New Orleans and needed to find my way back. I chose to reside in the Marigny neighborhood for both financial and artistic reasons. The rent was affordable, the atmosphere was welcoming and creative, and the residents cultivated a strong sense of community. It truly felt like a genuine community.
Having begun my journey as the door person at the Blue Nile on Frenchmen Street, I eventually progressed to the role of manager. While the compensation was modest, I was grateful for the chance. My low income was supplemented by residing above the club, which proved to be a significant advantage in establishing myself. Through imagination, saving what I earned and consistent hard work, I eventually became the owner of the venue. Having lived, worked, and enjoyed the Marigny for many years, I have witnessed its changes and the difficulties it has faced.
My current aspiration for the neighborhood is to see businesses contribute to its betterment and improvement. I believe businesses should enhance the value of the neighborhood rather than diminish it. Furthermore, I hope the city will address the needs of the neighborhood. As a member of FMIA, I aim to contribute my voice, history, and knowledge to address the needs and improvements of the Faubourg Marigny.
