President and Founder of Downtown FabWorks Named to New Orleans CityBusiness Power 50

Daniel Krall, President and Founder of Downtown FabWorks, has been named to the New Orleans CityBusiness Power 50: Most Influential People 2026 list, recognizing leaders whose work is helping shape the region’s economy, create jobs and influence the future of the New Orleans business community.

This year’s Power 50 honorees represent the full breadth of the regional economy—from economic development and port leadership to health care, banking, construction, technology, hospitality, retail and manufacturing. What unites them is their ability to move capital, create opportunity and make decisions with an impact far beyond their individual organizations.

For Krall, the recognition reflects a career built from the shop floor up.

A native of St. James, New York, Krall began his career as an apprentice carpenter in a scenic studio, where he discovered a passion for welding and fabrication. He later moved to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina to lead a volunteer program gutting homes. Through years of hands-on work, he advanced from crew member to crew leader and project manager before founding Downtown FabWorks in 2019.

What began as a one-person operation in Chalmette has grown into one of the Gulf South’s leading custom scenic and architectural fabrication shops. Today, Downtown FabWorks operates from a 40,000-square-foot facility and employs more than 50 people, the majority of whom are craftspeople, artisans, and artists.

“Being recognized alongside so many people driving New Orleans forward is a great honor,” said Krall. “Downtown FabWorks exists because of the talent, creativity, and determination of our team. This recognition belongs to the folks in our shop who show up every day, solve hard problems, and build environments that make our city stronger and more vibrant.”

Krall’s leadership is rooted in a deep respect for skilled trades—not only as an essential workforce pipeline, but also as a meaningful and creative career path. He is a vocal advocate for helping New Orleans youth, particularly those uncertain about their next steps or seeking an alternative to the traditional college route, discover fulfilling careers in the trades.

In addition to leading Downtown FabWorks, Krall is an alumnus of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Leadership St. Bernard and the Louisiana Economic Development CEO Roundtable program. These programs reflect his ongoing commitment to strengthening his leadership, growing a durable local business, and contributing to the economic future of the Greater New Orleans region.

Under Krall’s leadership, Downtown FabWorks has earned recognition as one of New Orleans CityBusiness’ fastest-growing companies in both 2025 and 2026. The company also ranked No. 1,187 nationally, 12th in Louisiana, and 3rd in the Greater New Orleans region on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list.

“Skilled trades offer the chance to build something real, develop a craft, and create a future,” Krall said. “Our goal is to show more people that there is pride, artistry, and long-term opportunity in this work.”