About Melinda Bourgeois
Melinda Bourgeois, from a family of 8 children, grew up in River Ridge living next to her grandparents and surrounded within minutes by many of her 32 first cousins. She comes from a family of entrepreneurs. Her father owned multiple restaurants including 7 Frost Tops, before selling them to build and operate Yogi Bear Jellystone Park and Campground in Robert, LA. Being in a family business allowed her to appreciate the value of hard work at a very young age.
She plunged into her own travel business over 34 years ago. As the successful owner of Travel Central, she manages budgets, employs over 25 people, survived crises like Katrina, the recession and the pandemic, while thriving in a competitive industry.
As a volunteer, some of the ways, she served Jefferson Parish include
On the Chamber Board and the JEDCO Board
As a Girl Scout leader and a CASA Advocate
As a founder of Jefferson Dollars for Scholars and Tour de Jefferson Bike ride
As Fundraising Gala chair for Jefferson Performing Arts Society Pasta & Puccini and Jefferson Beautification Inc Parkway Promenade
As an active member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in both their Helping Hands and Women’s Club ministries.
As an elected Jefferson Parish school board member, Melinda was instrumental in reestablishing the legislative committee to open communication between state legislators and the school board. Melinda also advocated for Career Tech and worked tirelessly to open communication between schools and businesses to create more opportunities for students.
She is married to Wayne Bourgeois, who is retired and loving their camp in Grand Isle, and lives in Old Metairie near Pontiff Playground.
Community Organizations:
Mercy Academy School Board, 1990-1992
New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce Education Committee Chair (East Jefferson), 1994
East Jefferson Council Executive Committee Chair, 1996; Vice-Chair Membership & Marketing, 1997; Small Business Council Executive Committee, 2000-2003
Jefferson Dollars for Scholars Co-Founder, 1993; Chairperson of Board, 1997-1998; Board Member, 2017-2020
Girl Scouts Board Member, 2006–2012; Girl Scout Leader, 2001-2006
Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission (JEDCO) Board Member, 1997-2000
Jefferson Community School Coalition Board Member, 1996-2001
South Beverly Knoll Civic Association President, 2001
South Beverly Knoll Civic Association Board Member, 2001-Present
Jefferson Convention & Visitor Bureau Board, 2000-2002
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Board, 2002-2010, 2014; Education Committee Co-Chair, 2014
Tour De Jefferson Chair, 2006-2014
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), 2010-2012
Jefferson Performing Arts Fundraiser Chair, 2017
Regional Planning Commission – Citizens Advisory Complete Streets, 2011-2014
St. Catherine Siena Church Member, 1997-Present.
Helping Hands Food Pantry. Women’s Club.Metairie Women’s Club Member, 2014-Present
Republican Women’s Club of Jefferson Parish 2014-present
Jefferson Beautification Parkway Promenade Chair, 2022
Laureate Academy Board Member, 2019-2021
Jefferson Chamber Health & Wellness Committee, 2019-Present
Friends of Jefferson Beautiful Board, 2021-Present
Bucktown Harbor Master Plan Committee, 2020-2021
District 5 Master Plan Committee, 2021
Professional Experience
1988-Present | Owner, Travel Central
Travel Central has been in business since 1988 and is one of the largest and most respected agencies in the New Orleans region. We employ 23 travel professionals and support people.
2003-2019 | Owner, World Coffee
2015-2018 | Board Member, Jefferson Parish Public School System
Instrumental in reestablishing the Legislative Committee, creating lines of communication with Louisiana State Representatives and Jefferson Parish Council. In addition, I actively promoted events with business and our career tech program to offer more opportunities to students.
Education
University Nevada Las Vegas
Bachelor of Science: Hotel Administration, 1987