Rolfe McCollister Jr., who founded Baton Rouge Business Report with his late father in 1982, has announced his retirement from the 40-year-old multimedia company that publishes multiple award-winning brands and produces numerous events.
Julio Melara, who joined as a partner 25 years ago and was named CEO in 2016, will own 100% of Louisiana Business Inc., effective Dec. 31. Besides Business Report, the company also produces 225 magazine, inRegister, Daily Report, 10/12 Industry Report and numerous other niche publications, websites, newsletters and local events.
“As I reflect on our company’s history and impact in Baton Rouge, I am very grateful for the community support and extraordinarily proud of what our talented team has accomplished. God has blessed me and my family and I am looking forward to time with them. From our beginnings in September 1982, we have enjoyed telling the stories of the people and companies of the Capital Region while also covering the issues that matter to our community,” says McCollister, who will now have the title of chairman emeritus while continuing to write his monthly column in Business Report. “So many have shared with us the impact that our publications have had on them, their companies, their organizations and our community. We love Baton Rouge and that’s always been our corporate vision: ‘A company of excellence, innovation and impact every day.’”
