NATCHEZ &8212; The president of a company discussing privatization with the city said Wednesday a recent bankruptcy case will have no bearing on his management abilities.

Warren Reuther Jr., whose company New Orleans Hotel Consultants might soon manage the convention center, partially owns New Orleans Paddlewheels.

A bankruptcy case concerning Paddlewheels recently concluded.

Reuther made it clear he had nothing to do with management of Paddlewheels and that he was glad the dispute was behind him.

Head of the New Orleans Convention Center board, Reuther said he looked forward to managing the Natchez Convention Center, city auditorium and community center.

Walter Brown, attorney for developer Tom Bauer whose future hotel will be managed by the same company, said Reuther and family members who owned Paddlewheels had conflicts.

&8220;They apparently have had some differences and the company ended up in Chapter 11 (bankruptcy) to try to resolve those differences,&8221; Brown said. &8220;I think he prevailed on most of the issues involved in that process.&8221;

Brown said Reuther has at least six companies and is looking at developing more, so his experience speaks for itself.

&8220;I don&8217;t think (the bankruptcy case) in any way reflects on his financial abilities,&8221; Brown said.

&8220;It&8217;ll have no impact on this (future Natchez management).&8221;

The mayor and board of aldermen ironed out details of a contract Wednesday in which Hotel Consultants would manage the convention center, city auditorium and community center.

At the meeting, Brown said he planned to bring the contract before the board at its Tuesday meeting.

The city would pay the company $240,000 each year under the proposed contract, less than they currently spend to operate it, Mayor Phillip West said at the meeting.