Roderick “Rico” Alvendia
Partner
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Roderick “Rico” Alvendia is an Iraq War veteran, an accomplished Louisiana Attorney, and serves proudly on the Board of Visitors at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Rico was born and raised in Louisiana and studied at Jesuit High School in the Philippines when his Father served abroad as a Diplomat. He is a 1998 graduate of Loyola Law School in New Orleans, where in 2008 he was named the Loyola Law Distinguished Alumni of the Year. He is the founding partner of the Alvendia, Kelly & Demarest Law Firm in New Orleans, which has successfully represented Louisiana Businesses, Clients and Municipalities for over 20 years.
Rico served honorably for 25 years as an Officer in the U.S. Army JAG Corps and deployed to Baghdad, Iraq in 2004 with the Louisiana 256th Infantry “Tiger” Brigade. In Baghdad, Rico led a multi-national team of lawyers that successfully prosecuted enemy combatants who conducted fatal attacks on U.S. Soldiers and civilians. Rico was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service during Combat Operations.
Rico continues to serve our Nation as a U.S. Presidential Appointee on the West Point Academy Board of Visitors. Additionally, in 2012 together with other Combat veterans, Rico co-founded the “Legion of Mars Mardi Krewe”, the first New Orleans Carnival Organization dedicated to honoring and assisting veterans and first responders. Rico and the “Mars Krewe” (a Non-profit Organization) have helped thousands of military veterans and their families throughout Louisiana during their financial hardships and while deployed in service to our Country. Rico is married to Kristin Alvendia, a devout LSU Alumni and advocate for Mental Health awareness. Above all, Rico’s greatest accomplishment is being a Father to Noah Alvendia, who is attending Jesuit High School in New Orleans.
Recent News:
President Joe Biden has appointed New Orleans attorney and retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Roderick “Rico” Alvendia to the board of directors at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Biden selected Alvendia to serve a three-year term on the board. He will advise the president on the ongoing status and morale of the U.S. Military Academy.
Since 1802, West Point has educated and trained future officers to lead in the U.S. Army, and Alvendia will serve on its historic 200-year-old Board of Directors alongside senior members of Congress, including U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator Richard Burr, and fellow Iraq War veteran U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
“I am honored and humbled to serve our great nation once again on this important bi-partisan Board. I appreciate the trust and confidence of President Biden in selecting me for this opportunity, especially during such challenging times around the globe. The men and women of West Point are central to our country’s future leadership at home and abroad,” said Alvendia.
Alvendia served honorably as an Army Officer for 25 years and received the Bronze Star Medal for his service during combat operations in Iraq in 2005 with the Louisiana National Guard 256th Brigade Combat Team, where he was part of an international team of lawyers who assisted Iraqi prosecutors in their criminal trials against insurgents.