News Summary
Nike Georges has been appointed as the new president of Georges Enterprises, taking over from his father, John Georges. At 28 years old, Nike brings six years of experience in the company, which operates in food distribution, media, gaming, and real estate. This leadership shift is seen as pivotal as Georges Enterprises, including the food distributor Imperial Trading Co., aims to enhance its competitive position nationally while facing local business challenges in Louisiana.
New Orleans, Louisiana – Nike Georges has been appointed as the new president of Georges Enterprises, succeeding his father, John Georges. At just 28 years old, Nike has spent six years with the company and steps into this leadership role while John continues his position as CEO. This transition is seen as a pivotal moment for the Louisiana-based company, which manages a diverse portfolio including food distribution, media, gaming, and real estate.
Georges Enterprises is the parent company of Imperial Trading Co., which is a significant food distributor serving over 5,000 convenience stores across 21 states. In addition to Imperial, the company encompasses AMA Distributors and Georges Media Group, which owns prominent publications such as The Times-Picayune and The Advocate.
Under John Georges’ leadership, Imperial Trading has become a notable figure in the distribution sector, now ranking as the fifth largest distributor in the United States. The company generates over $3 billion in annual sales and employs around 2,500 people across its operations. John Georges himself took on the role of president of Imperial Trading at age 30, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Gus Pelias, who founded the company in 1916.
Innovative Leadership and Experience
Nike Georges holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy and leadership from the University of Virginia. Prior to becoming president, he worked in management at Imperial Trading under president Wayne Baquet. His experience includes a key role in the design and implementation of an innovative automated storage and retrieval system, known as AutoStore, at the Bossier City Distribution Center. This advanced system utilizes robots to transport products, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
The Bossier City facility itself spans 140,000 square feet and has been optimized with cutting-edge technology, facilitating a more streamlined operational process. With the new automation system, the distribution center is positioned to potentially double its sales capacity, primarily shipping products to states such as Texas and Arkansas.
Future Objectives and Challenges
Nike Georges aims to take the company forward through strategic investments that will bolster Imperial’s competitive stance on a national level. However, he faces challenges such as the local business environment in Louisiana, where John Georges has expressed concerns about a lack of government support for regional enterprises. A notable example of this issue is the company’s necessity to construct its own water tank due to inadequate city water pressure affecting fire safety compliance.
The transition in leadership at Georges Enterprises is seen as a strategic move to navigate the challenges of the evolving marketplace while leveraging new technologies and innovations. As Nike steps into his role as president, he embodies the next generation of leadership that seeks to sustain and expand the family business ethos established by his grandfather over a century ago.
As the company embarks on this new chapter, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the dual leadership dynamic between John and Nike Georges will influence the future trajectory of Georges Enterprises and its affiliates.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NOLA: Georges Enterprises Leadership Transition
- Wikipedia: Nike
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Imperial Trading Expansion
- Google Search: Georges Enterprises
- NOLA: Imperial Trading Company News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Policy
- NOLA: Imperial Trading Company Updates
- Google News: John Georges
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
