In May 2017, Arnie D. Fielkow was named the new Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans. The Federation serves as the umbrella organization for the Jewish community throughout the greater New Orleans area.

Previously, Fielkow served as President and CEO of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the official association for all former NBA, ABA, WNBA and Harlem Globetrotter players. 

Fielkow, twice elected as New Orleans Councilman-at-Large post-Katrina, possesses an extensive background in government, professional and intercollegiate athletics, and law. He helped rebuild New Orleans following 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, introducing legislation to improve education, economic development, public safety and youth recreation across the storm-ravaged city. From 2007-2011, citizens named Fielkow “Best New Orleans City Councilmember” by readers of local weekly magazine, Gambit. Fielkow was also identified as one of New Orleans Magazine’s 2006 “People to Watch,” and then “Favorite Local Politician” in 2008. In 2009, Council President Fielkow was branded “New Orleanian of the Year” and “Second Most Admired Male New Orleanian” by the readers of the same publication.

Prior to holding public office, Fielkow served as Executive Vice President of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, from 2000-2005. In this role, he served as the top senior management official presiding over all administrative and business departments for the organization, including marketing, sales, regional development, governmental affairs, community relations, business media relations, and youth programs. 

Prior to joining the Saints, Fielkow was involved in Major League Baseball’s player development system, serving as President and General Counsel for the historic Southern League of Professional Baseball Clubs.

Previously, Fielkow served as Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel of the Continental Basketball Association, then the official developmental league of the NBA. 

Throughout his career, Fielkow has been honored multiple times. Fielkow was honored in 2017 with the first annual United Nations Armand Sports Diplomacy Award for his work in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in 2010. In 2007, he was presented with the Anti-Defamation League’s A.I. Botnick Torch of Liberty Award, and in 2004, he received the prestigious 2004 TOP (Ten Outstanding Persons) Award from the Family Service of Greater New Orleans. In 2003, he was awarded the Sanchez to Sanchez to Smith Award by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Fielkow began his professional career as a practicing attorney in Chicago, where he co-founded the law firm of Grossman, Solomon, & Fielkow, P.C.  A member of the Illinois and Wisconsin Bar Associations, Fielkow has authored several legal and sports-related articles/publications, including “Civil RICO: The Insurers Fight Back,” and “CBA: A World of Opportunity.” He is a frequent public speaker at national and local sports industry events.

Fielkow has served on the Board of Directors for USA Basketball and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. When previously living in New Orleans, Fielkow immersed himself in the community, serving on the Board of Directors of Greater New Orleans, Inc.; the United Way; Each One, Save One; the World Trade Center; the Audubon Commission; the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation; the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans; Touro Synagogue; and the National Conference for Community and Justice. He also co-chaired the Sports Cluster for Greater New Orleans, Inc., and was an executive committee member of the Super Bowl XXXVI Host Committee and the 2012 NCAA Men’s Basketball Local Organizing Committee.

A native of Appleton, WI, Fielkow is a 1981 graduate of the University of Wisconsin – School of Law. He earned his BA degree with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) from Northwestern University.

An avid sports fan, Fielkow played tennis on the collegiate level, and was selected to the silver medal-winning United States men’s basketball team at the 15th Maccabiah Games in Israel. He and his wife, Dr. Susan Fielkow, have three sons – Justin, Michael, and Steven – and two daughters –Yana and Svetlana.