Ronald V. Burns, Sr.

Chairman & CEO, Global Parking Systems, LLC

2026 Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree

Ronald V. Burns, Sr., is the founder of BMG Enterprises, a diversified corporation that includes QCS Logistics (recently acquired by Dropoff, Inc.), The Burns Management Group, and Global Parking Systems, LLC. A respected entrepreneur and community leader, Mr. Burns is widely recognized for his business success, civic engagement, and commitment to expanding opportunity in the New Orleans region.

A 1973 Cum Laude graduate of Dillard University with a B.S. in Accounting, Mr. Burns also completed the Minority Business Executive Program at Dartmouth College’s Amos Tuck School of Business. He began his career at Liberty Bank and Trust Company, where he served as Vice President and Internal Auditor for a decade.

 In 1984, recognizing a gap in the market, Mr. Burns founded Quick Courier Services, Inc. (now QCS Logistics), building it into a leading logistics and delivery company in the Southeast. His leadership extended nationally when he became the first African American elected to the board of the Customized Logistics and Delivery Association (CLDA) in 1992.

 Mr. Burns continued to expand his entrepreneurial footprint by launching The Burns Management Group in 1992, focusing on business development and corporate and governmental partnerships. In 1993, he founded Global Parking Systems, a company that has grown to operate across multiple states, including Louisiana, Texas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Utah, and Oregon. Through a partnership with SP PLUS, Global Parking Systems has secured major airport contracts nationwide, including Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans and major airports in Houston, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and beyond.

 Beyond his business accomplishments, Mr. Burns is known for his deep commitment to community and education. A strong advocate for youth development, he has supported numerous organizations and initiatives, including the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and The Sabriya’s Castle of Fun Foundation. He has also been actively involved with St. Augustine High School, supporting its entrepreneurship program and establishing a family scholarship to promote educational access.

 Mr. Burns has held leadership roles with numerous civic and business organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors and as Audit Committee Chair for Liberty Bank and Trust Company, and as President and Chairman of the Sugar Bowl Committee. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Dillard University, where he chairs the Audit Committee and serves on the Executive Committee, and he is also a board member of the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

 Following Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Burns played a critical role in restoring healthcare access to New Orleans East. Appointed by Mayor Mitch Landrieu to lead the New Orleans East Hospital Service District, he oversaw the development and reopening of a new hospital in 2015, which has since become a vital community resource and was named “Hospital of the Year” by the Louisiana Nurses Association in 2021.

 Widely recognized locally for his many endeavors, a few of Mr. Burns’ many awards and honors include the Gulf South Minority Purchasing Council Diamond Award, Louisiana Minority Pacesetter Award, Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame, Dillard University Alumni Association Presidential Citation, Harrison-Rochon, CPAs Educational Foundation, Inc.’s Louisiana’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Graduate Role Model, and the Young Leadership Council’s Role Model Award. In 2016, Global Parking Systems received the Houston Airport System’s Concessionaire J.V. Award. In 2017, Mr. Burns was selected as a recipient of the American Diabetes Association Man of the Year award and received the City of New Orleans Legends Award. In 2018, Mr. Burns was inducted into the Customized Logistics Delivery Association (CLDA) Hall of Fame. In 2019, he was the recipient of the Bleu Flame of Excellence Award by his alma mater, Dillard University as well as the Beacon Light Church Champion Award for Outstanding Leadership and Accomplishments in the New Orleans community. He was also honored by The Crescent City (New Orleans) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated as its 2019 Champions for Change award recipient. He also was honored by Dillard University with the 2023 Justice Revius O. Ortique, Jr. Professional Excellence Award. He received his high school’s highest alumna honor with his induction into the 2023 St. Augustine Hall of Fame. Most recently, Mr. Burns was the recipient of the 2024 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award, conferred by the Southeast LA Council of the Boys Scouts of America.

Mr. Burns continues to be a driving force for success. Mr. Burns has been married for over 46 years to Sheila Berniard. They are the proud parents of two sons, Vinnie, and Jason and the grandparents of twins, Jordyn and Jason Burns, Jr.