Ron Ladner was born and grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. After a not-so-hot showing at the University of Southern Mississippi, he ended up in Dallas, where he cut his teeth in the software services industry. He eventually landed in Atlanta, where he met and married his wife, Laura, and co-created and sold his own software services firm. 

Not making quite enough to retire, but enough money to leave Atlanta, Ron, Laura, and their dogs packed up and headed to Ron’s hometown area…Pass Christian, MS…just in time to settle in for the worst Hurricane in the Gulf’s history…Katrina.

They lost almost everything but decided to stay and invest in a discouraging recovery effort. It changed their lives forever. 

But by chance, born out of heartbreak, hope, and a deep commitment to their people and community, they created Shaggy’s…a waterfront restaurant in Pass Christian Harbor as a place where the community could gather again and find comfort and healing…over cocktails, cheeseburgers and laughter.

They carried their formula forward for the next 20 years and today have five waterfront Shaggy’s locations, with an exclusive employee culture and a proven commitment to their community and helping others.