Steven Kennedy

Steven Kennedy is the Chief Executive Officer of REO, LLC a real estate development, urban planning and policy consulting company in New Orleans, Louisiana. Steven is a graduate of the University of New Orleans with a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning with a concentration in Housing and Economic Development. He began his career as an urban planner and economic development policy analysts working to improve distressed communities. Steven’s passion for economic development was sparked at an early age when he experienced extreme poverty growing up in public housing in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina’s devastation and provided an opportunity and inspired him to pursue studies in urban and regional planning which led to the founding of REO.

Steven built his career assisting small businesses through the certification and funding process with local, state and federal government programs. Helping small businesses navigate the procurement process of local and state governments has help generate increased revenue for those companies. As a small business owner, he understands the challenges companies face when seeking opportunities while providing businesses with creative solutions to create value in real estate development projects. Steven has also developed quality affordable housing for families in New Orleans working in partnership with the city of New Orleans Office of Community Development.

Steven’s extensive knowledge and experience in crafting policies and providing guidance to elected officials has aided key decision-makers in creating a sustainable New Orleans. His involvement in many of the city’s efforts to rebuild consisted of assisting the city of New Orleans on its proposal to study the impact of the Claiborne Expressway on Tremè and communities that sit adjacent to the Claiborne Expressway. Mayor Latoya Cantrell appointed Steven to the New Orleans Business Alliance in 2018. Steven was recently appointed by the New Orleans City Council to serve on the Economic Development Advisory Committee.