Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Roderick 鈥淩ico鈥� Alvendia
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Roderick 鈥淩ico鈥� Alvendia is an Iraq War veteran, an accomplished
Louisiana Attorney, and recently served 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 鈥淭iger鈥� 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 continued to serve our Nation as a U.S. Presidential Appointee on the West Point
Academy Board of Visitors until his term expired in December 2024. Additionally, in
2012 together with other Combat veterans, Rico co-founded the 鈥淟egion of Mars Mardi
Krewe鈥�, the first New Orleans Carnival Organization dedicated to honoring and assisting
veterans and first responders. Rico and the 鈥淢ars Hero Fund鈥� (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 海角社区 Alumni and advocate for Mental Health
awareness. Above all, Rico鈥檚 greatest accomplishment is being a Father to his son
Noah Alvendia, who attends Jesuit High School in New Orleans.