De La Salle is proud to spotlight alumnus Chef Austin Kirzner '01, who brings more than two decades of Gulf South culinary expertise to his role as Executive Chef of the Southern Hotel and The Gloriette. A New Orleans native, Chef Austin is renowned for his thoughtful approach to regional cuisine, beautifully blending classic Louisiana flavors with a refined, modern sensibility.
His distinguished culinary journey began in the world-renowned Brennan family of restaurants, including Commander's Palace and Café Adelaide, where he honed his techniques and developed a deep respect for Creole traditions. He further cemented his reputation as an industry leader during a stellar tenure as Executive Chef at the iconic Red Fish Grill, where he managed high-volume operations, developed innovative menus, and helped drive the legendary restaurant to its highest profit margins in history.
Chef Austin also spent over six years as the Executive Chef and General Manager at Covey Rise Lodge, directing all aspects of hospitality, creating immersive farm-to-table menus, and curating seasonal dining experiences. Most recently, he served as the Sous Chef at Brennan’s in New Orleans, leading a team of more than 50 employees and managing daily kitchen operations to ensure top-tier quality standards.
A graduate of Delgado Community College’s Culinary Arts program, Chef Austin combines elite technical training with a deep passion for hospitality and team leadership. Today at the Southern Hotel and The Gloriette, he focuses on creating dynamic dining experiences rooted in Southern hospitality and seasonal connection. We are incredibly proud to watch our Cavaliers shape the culinary landscape of the Gulf South. Lead On, Chef Austin!
We are proud to announce Shannon Kerns Mullen as our April Alumni Spotlight! A member of the Class of 1995, Shannon has established herself as a prominent local artist in the New Orleans metro area and at her gallery, Shannon Mullen Art, located in The Shops of Century Hall in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Shannon’s work captures a vibrant coastal flair, specializing in live event painting and bespoke commissions. From hand-painted champagne bottles to "oyster shuckie" ornaments, her pieces are tailored to perfection. Her Mardi Gras scenes featuring local marching bands are a fan favorite—and we are eagerly anticipating the custom piece she will create for us once our "new look" is officially revealed!
Her art is as durable as it is beautiful; designed to withstand Southern humidity, her indoor and outdoor pieces are "porch-ready" and framed with handmade craftsmanship from Dulac, Louisiana.
Shannon’s ties to De La Salle run deep. As a sophomore, she was a member of the very first co-ed class to attend on the opening day of the 1992–1993 school year. While at De La Salle, she was the definition of involved—serving as an Ambassador, Student Council member, and contributor to both the Cavalier newspaper and Maroon Legend yearbook.
Today, that connection continues through her collaboration with her son, Spencer, on Blue Notes and Brushstrokes, a unique live jazz and painting experience. Shannon also shares her passion for creativity by teaching children’s art classes and hosting annual student exhibitions.
After graduating from De La Salle, Shannon continued her studies at Delgado, Loyola, and LSU. While her career is full of color, her greatest treasures are her two sons, Drew and Spencer.
Fun Fact: The Cavalier spirit truly stays in the family—Shannon's son, Spencer Mullen, is the current Band Director right here at De La Salle High School!
Visit Shannon’s gallery on the third floor of The Shops of Century Hall in Old Town Bay Saint Louis, MS, or follow her creative journey on Facebook and Instagram or at her website Shannon Mullen Art.
This month, we are spotlighting a true mover and shaker in both the restaurant and Carnival scenes in New Orleans! Jack Rizzuto, De La Salle Class of 1990, CEO and Founder of Rizzuto Restaurant Group, proudly continues a 40-year history in the highly competitive restaurant landscape of New Orleans. Jack is also deeply ingrained in two Mardi Gras organizations where he serves as Captain of both the Krewe of Pygmalion and the Krewe of Mid-City.
While attending De La Salle, Rizzuto was an active member of the Student Council and Peer Ministry. After his time at De La Salle, Jack attended Southeastern University in Hammond, LA. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to continue in his father’s footsteps at Rizzuto Restaurant Group. The Rizzuto Restaurant Group has a 40-year history of successfully marketing to locals and tourists alike. Founded by father Phil Rizzuto, Sr., the company started with a single Bourbon Street establishment that catered to the tourist and convention markets. When his sons joined Rizzuto, they sought a way to expand Rizzuto's Bourbon Street presence and capture a larger share of the $4.7 billion visitor dollars spent in New Orleans every year.
Rizzuto’s holdings currently include Gateway on Bourbon Street; Jester Mardi Gras Daiquiris in Gretna, LA, and in Destin, FL; Jester Beverages, a premium New Orleans flavor beverage company; Rizzuto's Ristorante & Chop House, an upscale full-service restaurant with catering capabilities in the Lakeview area of New Orleans; Rizzuto's Prime in the Hyatt Regency next to the Superdome; and balconies overlooking Bourbon Street.
As Captain of the Krewes of Pygmalion and Mid-City, Jack has focused on bringing these organizations to the forefront of premiere Mardi Gras celebrations. This year, Pygmalion will make history as the first Krewe to parade through the Convention Center during the first weekend of parades. Taking place immediately following the parade, Pygmalion Fest has been expanded to include national and local talent headliners and a more formal format to usher in the first weekend of Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans in style. Congratulations on all of your success, Jack!
Leah Kennedy currently works as a Medical Assistant in Bariatric and General Surgery, where she assists with a wide range of cases — from hernia repairs to more complex exploratory laparotomies.
In her academic work, Leah’s research focuses on cirrhosis and fibrosis in hepatic cancers. Specifically, her team studies the use of different types of stem cells and their derivatives to potentially reverse cancer progression and promote normal liver regeneration.
A large part of her work falls under biochemical analysis. She examines protein structures and assesses their clinical implications to explore questions such as the following:
- Do these proteins inhibit or promote cancer progression?
- What stage of cancer are we observing?
- How does the protein structure change over time or in response to treatment?
- Why might a particular protein enhance or interfere with the effectiveness of a drug or cell therapy?
While her team’s work hasn’t yet been published (this line of research is long-term), they actively collaborate with other labs across the country that have shared their findings.
Congratulations, Leah, and continue to Lead On!
After graduating from De La Salle in 2013, Gabrielle Kehoe Tebbe soon after began a fulfilling decade-long career in childcare. Over the years, she’s taken on a variety of roles including nannying, substitute teaching, and after-school care. She has previously lived in Colorado and California before making her way back home to New Orleans.
After trying out a variety of new jobs in the service industry or working from home, she was offered a position to work at the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office in its Family Violence Unit on a full-time basis.
It has always been a long-term goal of Gabby’s to give back to the communities that have had a meaningful impact on her life, and De La Salle is one of those places.
Gabby says of her time at De La Salle, “I began to discover the best version of myself—thanks to the supportive friendships I formed, the guidance I received, and the community that helped shape me. It’s also a huge win as it is where I met my future husband, and has made my connection to De La Salle all the more special.”
Gabby is also married to fellow Cavalier Taylor Tebbe.
Congratulations, Gabby, on all your success!
All Hail King Anderson Lewis, King Freret 2025! Anderson Lewis III, De La Salle Class of 1995, grew up in the vibrant Uptown neighborhood, where he first developed his love for Mardi Gras parades along Napoleon Avenue and Camp Street. This early passion for New Orleans culture paved the way for a lifelong connection to the city's traditions. Joining the Krewe of Freret in 2018, Anderson embraced the camaraderie and excitement of parading with the Krewe, deeply valuing its dedication to diversity and inclusion. His commitment to the Krewe culminated in his honored position as the 2025 King of the Krewe of Freret XIII.
While attending De La Salle, Anderson learned the value of helping others, and this passion influenced him to pursue a degree in sociology at Xavier University of Louisiana,and eventually earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Temple University in Philadelphia. His education and leadership experience prepared him for a thriving career in clinical social work, where he has been a committed mental health advocate and psychotherapist for over 20 years, providing vital support to children, families, and adults.
Currently, Anderson works at the VA Medical Center, where his dedication to improving health outcomes for veterans has had a lasting impact. Beyond his professional life, Anderson treasures his role as a devoted husband and father. He has been married to his wife, Dr. Mylischa Lewis, for 17 wonderful years. As a father to their two sons, Nathan and David, he takes pride in guiding them with the same values of compassion and integrity that he upholds in his career. His family serves as his greatest joy, grounding him in the work he does and inspiring him to give back to his community. Lead On, King!
Miles Tully Jr., MBA, Class of 2000, is the Vice President of Hospitality at Caesars New Orleans. He has previously served as the Director of Food and Beverage of Caesars New Orleans. With almost 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Miles has established himself as a strong business development professional in the New Orleans area. Skilled in strategic planning, budgeting, event planning, customer service, and sales, Miles currently serves on the boards of the Downtown Development District, Louisiana Restaurant Association, and the Fore!Kids Foundation.
Of his time at De La Salle, Miles says, “I’ve seen a lot of success in my career and none of it would have been possible without the foundation I received at De La Salle. The partnerships I’ve formed, networks I’ve built, and my collaborative approach to leadership all began during my four years there, and for that, I will be forever grateful.” While at De La Salle, Miles served as a DLS Diplomat, as a member of the National Honor Society, and on the Student Council. Miles graduated with honors and was awarded the American Legion award, an honor bestowed upon him by his peers. He went on to receive both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of New Orleans.
Miles is married to his wife Elle and a proud father of Tucker, with another baby on the way. In his free time you can find him spending time with his family and two pugs or playing a round of golf. As New Orleans welcomes the Super Bowl this weekend, you will find Miles making sure everyone is having an amazing time and enjoying all that New Orleans has to offer. Congratulations, Miles, on all your success!
Meet Joseph Martello from the class of 2014. He was featured in a recent Clarion Herald article discussing his faith formation and discernment process. He credits his strong Catholic upbringing and Catholic education at Holy Name of Jesus and De La Salle as factors that guided him to the seminary. Read more here: https://bit.ly/DLSalumnispotlightMartello.