Our Team

Our Staff

Executive Director

William Stoudt, Executive Director

William Stoudt, a business and political science major from Tulane University, currently serves as Executive Director. William was one of the first students to get involved at his high school with Youth Rebuilding New Orleans. He is actively involved in all of YRNO’s committees but plays a leading role on the acquisitions team. His knowledge of the real estate market and construction business makes him an invaluable resource for Youth Rebuilding New Orleans. In addition to his involvement with the group, William also plays tennis, attends local sporting events, and serves on local board of other non-profit organizations.

Construction Supervisor

Mike Kingston

Mike Kingston, a long-time volunteer with Youth Rebuilding New Orleans has recently joined the staff to supervise some of the youth workers. Mike’s expertise and skills make him an invaluable resource. His duties include supervising volunteers and junior staff members, managing our tool library, and teaching and training new members useful construction skills.

AmeriCorps VISTA

Brian Templet

  Brian Templet, a Cell & Molecular Biology major from Tulane University, is an Americorps VISTA through the Tulane Center for Public Service.  An Eagle Scout, Brian is familiar with working hands-on with projects and managing large groups of volunteers. His duties include working to increase volunteer and service learning capabilities and improve sustainability for Youth Rebuilding New Orleans.  After his VISTA term ends in July, Brian will be attending Tulane School of Medicine in order to one day practice surgery.

Our Board of Directors

Project Manager

Mary C. Shoemaker is an Archbishop Chapelle and UNO graduate with a BS in Biology Education and a MED in Curriculum and Instruction. She recently retired after thirty-five years teaching biology and chemistry in public and parochial schools in the metro New Orleans area. Katrina motivated her to actively participate in the recovery of the city of New Orleans by cofounding YRNO. She currently serves as Project Manager.

Chief Financial Officer

Robert Whitman Jr. received his B.S. from Tulane University in 1973 and his Masters in Education one year later from Loyola. In addition to his educational pursuits, he received and has maintained his status as a Certified Financial Planner. Bob has worked for Rummel High School since 1983,

where he has served in various capacities including: director of guidance, president of school board, and director of special education. He began his community service campaign in 1992 including a Service Learning Ambassador for the state in 1998. After Katrina, he helped create Youth Rebuilding New Orleans to help students get involved with the area’s recovery. In addition to his service work, Bob enjoys staying active by playing and following various sports.

Public Relations Chair

Evan Nicoll, Public Relations Chair

Evan Nicoll, from Kenner, LA attended Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie. He first became involved with YRNO in the Fall of 2006 after being displaced to Panama City Beach, Florida for a year due to Hurricane Katrina. Upon returning to Rummel, he helped work on some homes with friends through YRNO and have been with the organization ever since. Now an undergraduate at Tulane University, Evan is completing a joint degree with my Bachelor in Management with a concentration on Entrepreneurship and a Master of Accounting. After retiring from two seasons of Tulane Track & Field, he now serve on the Board for the Tulane Hall of Fame Committee. Evan also serve as an A.B. Freeman School of Business Senator to the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) at Tulane.

Historian

Irv Barousse, a graduate of St Aloysius High School and the University of New Orleans with a BA in Psychology, Irvin Barousse received his Masters in Special Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. His 41 years of teaching included St. Philip Neri, Holy Cross High School, and Archbishop Rummel High School. During his tenure at Rummel, Mr. Barousse created and maintained the Resource Department for 29 years before retiring in 2009. Irvin began working with Bob Whitman in the early 1980s when Resource Students built vegetable and flower gardens for residents of the St. Thomas Projects. Mr. Barousse has continued to work with Mr. Whitman in his outreach programs because of Mr. Whitman’s commitment to bettering the lives of the New Orleans community by involving the next generation of service leaders.

Social Media

Sam Stephens, Social Media

Sam, a Senior at Tulane University and a native of St. Louis, MO, is the most recent addition to the YRNO board after his good buddies, Evan Nicoll and Will Stoudt, nominated him. As a Community Service Scholar at Tulane, Sam has been involved with YRNO’s build crew throughout most of his undergraduate career. In addition to his work with YRNO, Sam volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, New Orleans Court Watch and the Roots of Music program. After graduating Tulane, Sam would like to remain in New Orleans, the birthplace of his grandfather, to live for an extended period of time. An avid jazz enthusiast, Sam is currently building his collection of local jazz, roots, and Americana music.