Chef Gary & Ann LeBlanc
MEET THE FOUNDERS
Chef Gary and Ann LeBlanc founded Mercy Chefs in 2006 after the devastation and massive impact that Hurricane Katrina left on Chef Gary’s hometown of New Orleans. Gary, being a Louisiana native, felt compelled for the first time in his life to volunteer. At the time, he was broken by what he witnessed in his hometown of New Orleans during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The devastation was so intense and widespread. Lives were completely disrupted and the community was in ruins.
After Katrina, he saw first-hand the incredible difference a hot meal could make, but after thirty-five years in the hospitality industry, Chef Gary was surprised and outraged by the quality of food being served.
He knew something more needed to be done, and the idea of serving high-quality, chef-prepared meals in a disaster zone occupied his mind for months afterwards. Soon after, Mercy Chefs was born. Gary and his wife, Ann, have been serving side by side for over 17 years since the Lord called them to “feed people; just go feed people.” From disaster zones across the country and around the world to serving people right in their own backyard, Mercy Chefs has already served over 25 million meals, with many more to come.
THE MERCY CHEFS TEAM
Key Employees & Board of Directors
Chef Gary LeBlanc
Founder & CEO
Ann LeBlanc
CoFounder & President
Adam Woods
Chief Culinary Officer
Carl Ladd
Vice President of Global
Dana VanValin
Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Philip Huppe
Executive Director of Strategic Relationships
Stephanie Woods
Director of Administration & Human Resources
Ron Fritch
Chief Financial Officer
Nick Beckman
Director of Logistics & Facilities
Board of Directors
Gary LeBlanc
- Portsmouth, VA
- Board Member
- 2021 Independent Voting Member
Janet Young
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Board Member
- 2021 Independent Voting Member
Jim Boyd
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Board Member
- 2021 Independent Voting Member
Richard Baker Sr.
- Sneads Ferry, NC
- Board Member
- 2021 Independent Voting Member
Reverend Kevin Turpin
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Board Member
- 2021 Independent Voting Member