News

Darryl Berger '65 - 2008

Anne Konigsmark
Darryl Berger, Class of 1965, received the 2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

"To be recognized by an institution to whom I feel I owe everything is overwhelming and I am pleased and most appreciative," Darryl says.

For some 35 years, Darryl has made significant contributions to both the built environment and the economic development of New Orleans.

Since graduating from Newman, Vanderbilt University and Tulane University's School of Law, Darryl, President of Darryl Berger Companies, has had great success in commercial real estate development. His projects include the redevelopment of Jax Brewery, The Shops at Canal Place, the Loews New Orleans Hotel, the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel (now a Westin hotel), as well as other retail, residential and hospitality properties across the region and the nation.

Post-Katrina, Darryl has demonstrated his commitment to the city and optimism about its future by continuing to work on projects in New Orleans, some planned before the storm and some after. In addition to continuing development in the downtown riverfront area, Darryl is working in areas affected by the flood, including a retail facility in the Carrollton-Claiborne area. These developments make a strong statement about the city's resurgence and economic viability.

Darryl is a tireless participant in the civic life of this city, lending his expertise and support to many organizations. He is a trustee at Tulane and chairs the development committee at the university. He has served on other important Tulane governing and advisory boards. He is the recipient of the Tulane Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumnus Award.

He has been a recipient of the Jewish National Fund Tree of Life Award, the Institute of Human Understanding's Outstanding People of New Orleans, and Gambit's New Orleanian of the Year award. Most recently, Darryl was elected chairman of the French Quarter-Marigny Historic Area Management District, created last year to provide infrastructure improvements and enhanced services to this area. Darryl is also on the board of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and he is the Vice-Chair of Vanderbilt University's Board of Trustees.

Darryl has never wavered in his loyalty and commitment to Newman. "It is the institutional love of my life," he says. "I attribute many if not most of the good things that have happened in my life to Newman School." He is a former chair of the Board of Governors, and he and his wife, Louellen, have given substantially of their time and resources to improve the School and preserve it for future generations. The Berger Family Fitness Center in the Palaestra and the Berger Learning Center in the Lower School are perfect examples. Darryl and Louellen are the parents of four Newman graduates: Allison Berger Tiller '96, Darryl Jr. '98, Brandon '99 and Ryan '01.

Darryl was honored at an event on April 10.

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