(Ret.) U.S. Navy Commander and The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com’s Senior Meteorologist, Damon Singleton, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for Ascension DePaul Foundation New Orleans’ (ADFNO) 12th Annual Keeping Our Promises Gala, presented by Quest Diagnostics, on April 11 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
Commander Singleton is a native New Orleanian, meteorologist, graduate of St. Augustine High School, Surface Warfare Officer, and a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. He traveled the world as a crewmember aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV 43), an engineering officer on USS Constellation (CV 64), the navigator and electrical officer on the USS Merrill (DD 976), the operations officer on USS Mount Hood (AE 29), and executive officer/2nd in Command of USS Lasalle (AGF 3). He participated in Earnest Will Escort Operations of reflagged Kuwaiti Tankers; Operation Praying Mantis, President Ronald Reagan's measured response to the Iranian mining of the USS Samuel B Roberts; Operation Southern Watch enforcing the no-fly zone over Southern Iraq; Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia; and Operation Joint Guard supporting Joint Task Force Silverwake operations in the former Yugoslavia, among others.
Upon his retirement from the United States Navy, Commander Singleton returned home and accepted a position as a meteorologist at WDSU-TV in New Orleans. He is the recipient of two Suncoast Emmy Awards for his contributions to WDSU’s pre-hurricane season specials. He retired from the TV station in August 2024. He later worked in the Business Development Office at Haptech Defense Systems and is currently the senior meteorologist for The Times-Picayune/NOLA.com.
He earned a degree in meteorology from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. He was commissioned through the Navy ROTC program at Rice University. Commander Singleton also holds a master's degree from the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
The Keeping Our Promises Gala supports DePaul Community Health Centers’ Mission of providing healthcare to individuals and families across the region, regardless of their ability to pay. The evening will begin with a patron party at 6 p.m. followed by the gala from 7-11 p.m., featuring live entertainment, cuisine, specialty cocktails, and a silent auction.
Additionally, ADFNO will present the Inspired Cross Award to individuals who have worked to promote healthy communities. This year's honorees are retired TV News Broadcaster and ADFNO Board Member Sally-Ann Roberts; Marillac Community Health Centers dba DCHC Board Member Howard Rodgers, Executive Director of the New Orleans Council on Aging; former ADFNO Board Member Leon Reymond, Jr.; and former ADFNO Board Chair and fundraising consultant Peter Quirk.
Individual tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Charles Robichaux, fund development manager, at charles.robichaux@dcsno.org.