Mohammad “Ema” Haq

B.S. Mechanical Engineering - 1993

President - Bailey Support Services (Inland, Offshore and Remote Site Catering)
President - BMS of Acadiana, LLC dba Emaco Food Services
President - Bailey’s Seafood & Grill/Ema’s Cafe

Born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Ema arrived in Lafayette in 1983 at 19 years old seeking a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (USL). Ema financed his education by working in Louisiana’s thriving food industry, wearing many aprons as a busboy, dishwasher, waiter, and cook. Upon graduation, Ema worked for Mallard Drilling Company and later Parker Drilling Company as a project engineer for domestic and international operations.

Passionate about the restaurant industry, Ema opened Bailey’s Restaurant in 1993 becoming fully involved in his food service operation and eventually opening Bailey’s Offshore Catering in 1999 to provide hospitality services to the oil and gas industry in offshore and remote locations. Ema opened Ema’s Café in 2006 and Emaco Food Service, a land and marine food distributor in 2010. Ema remained a consultant engineer to many companies until finally parting with his engineering career in 2007.

An advocate of assisting those in need, Ema has contributed to many charitable organizations and hosted the Annual Bailey’s Thanksgiving Dinner to feed the less fortunate for the past 25 years. He is a graduate of Leadership Lafayette and has served on multiple boards such as Lafayette General Health, United Way of Acadiana, Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, and the Louisiana Restaurant Association. Ema has received numerous awards including State Restaurateur of the Year by the Louisiana Restaurant Association, Outstanding International Alumni by the UL Lafayette Alumni Association and Offices of International Affairs, and Louisiana Public Citizen of the Year.