Abhay Patel

Abhay Patel
Born	Abhay Patel January 21, 1976 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Residence	New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Alma mater	Louisiana State University
Occupation	Businessman
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Nicole Pelengaris Patel
Website	Campaign website

Abhay Patel, (born January 21, 1976), is a Louisiana businessman and current Republican candidate for the United States Senate. Patel has spent his career advising corporate leaders, raising capital to support business expansion and leading economic development.

Early Life and Education

Abhay grew up in Forest, Mississippi – a small town of 5,000 people in the heart of the Deep South. Before moving there in 1982, Abhay and his family lived in five other states (IL, FL, TX, OK and LA), as his parents looked for stable employment and a place to permanently settle. With the help of friends, Abhay’s father ultimately found a small motel in Forest (Scott Motel, named for the county), which he owned and operated. The property was located on the edge of town, had 15 rentable units and doubled as his parents’ small business and home.

Abhay grew up attending Forest public schools. He left Forest after his sophomore year of high school to attend The Mississippi School for Math and Science, a residential high school for juniors and seniors. From there, Abhay was able to earn a full scholarship to LSU, bringing him back to Louisiana (He attended Kindergarten in Winnfield, LA).

Patel earned his bachelor's degree in Finance from Louisiana State University and graduated summa cum laude. Patel earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) with honors from the Boston University School of Law. His area of concentration was Constitutional Law.

JUVENILE MACULAR DEGENERATION: The summer before eight-grade, Abhay was diagnosed with a severe form of retinal degeneration (initially: retinitis pigmentosa, later: macular degeneration) a condition for which there was no correctable measure. As the condition worsened, he lost the ability to perform basic activities, like driving, playing sports or reading menus in a dark restaurant.

Business career

Patel used his background in finance and law to work as an investment banker for many years. During that time, he helped many leading U.S. companies navigate some the country’s most tumultuous economic times—including the 2001 recession, 9/11, the mortgage crisis and the great recession.

Patel helped raise more than $30 billion of debt and equity capital in the private sector. He also worked on several high-profile advisory transactions.

Patel’s investment banking clients included American Airlines, General Electric, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Harley-Davidson and Hertz.

Most recently, Patel served as Vice President of Business Development for the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOLABA), where he led the implementation of ProsperityNOLA, the city’s five-year growth plan. At NOLABA, Patel worked closely with academic, business and community leaders across Louisiana to identify opportunities for economic growth.

In addition, Patel led the firm’s Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction platform, where he worked with local businesses and recruited young and growing companies to the area—a key part of the city’s and state’s economic development strategy.

Personal life

Abhay and his wife Nicole Pelengaris Patel live in New Orleans and are passionate fans of the LSU Tigers.

References

1. Picket, Kerry (June 28, 2016). "New Orleans Businessman Joins Louisiana Senate Primary". The Daily Caller. Retrieved August 15, 2016.

External links

• Patel for U.S. Senate Campaign Website