BusinessReport.com

Age: 33

Why do you do what you do?

I really enjoy the people I work with in the factory and the growers. The entire Louisiana sugar industry has welcomed me and offered a helping hand from the beginning. Manufacturing can be very challenging and rewarding.

Every day is different and offers new challenges.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

My job has been very rewarding in terms of professional accomplishments. I have been offered several leadership opportunities by my peers in the industry and have found these types of opportunities to be very fulfilling.

What was your first job?

I did some simple machinist work and welding at the factory on my summer vacations during high school. Some of the work I did 18 years ago is still in service.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

To keep my work beyond reproach.

Who do you most admire in the local business community and why?

Baton Rouge and Iberville are full of successful professionals and it is hard to single anyone out. My father and grandfather have such great personal and professional reputations and I just hope I can continue their legacy.

If you could have any job other than your own, what would it be?

I would like to have a worldwide hunting and fishing charter company. It would be a great adventure to travel the world for the best sport and set up camp, but I don’t think I could handle all the time away from my family.

What is the greatest personal or professional obstacle you've overcome?

Overcoming my youth and inexperience. Getting your career started is very difficult and you just have to learn from your mistakes and gain confidence in your decisions. You get help where you can, put in the time, and ask a lot of questions. Once I figured out the fundamentals everything came together for me.

If you started over, what would you do differently?

I don't like to look back other than to learn. When you have to make a lot of decisions you make a lot of mistakes. I just learn and move on.

What is your prescription for life?

Balance.

What book are you currently reading?

I am reading A Farewell to Arms. I am a big Hemingway fan. I think I enjoy his work so much because I share a lot of his interests.

If you could have dinner with any three living people, who would they be?

My favorite dinners have been with friends and family. You can relax and be yourself.

Who would play you in a movie?

That is something I will never have to worry about.

What do you do to unwind?

I am a homebody. We will watch a movie by the fire in the winter or spend the day in the back yard by the pool in the summer.

What is the most expensive purchase you've made for yourself?

We built a home a few years ago and it really came out nice, but I had to bring my signature stamp home from work to sign all of the checks. I thought it was never going to end. Very different from buying a built house.

What is your favorite weekend activity?

We do a lot of family activities and spend a few weekends on the coast. I really enjoy offshore and inshore fishing in the spring/summer and hunting in the winter. The fall is all work and no play.

What's your theme song?

"All I Can Do Is Write About it," by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

What's your favorite spot in Baton Rouge?

Death Valley. I don't get to go to many games, but it is really a special place.

How do you take your coffee?

Just a teaspoon of pure cane sugar in my coffee. It’s only 15 calories. Stay away from the colored packets!

What is your favorite movie? TV show? Band?

Movie: Gladiator

TV: CSI & 24

Band: That is tough. XM is usually on Lithium.

What is your favorite gadget?

My iPhone. I use if for everything.

What is something that you can't live without?

My family.

If you could change one thing about the Baton Rouge area, what would it be?

The traffic at certain times is really out of control. Other than that I really enjoy Baton Rouge.

What is your greatest hope for the Baton Rouge area?

I hope the area can grow smart, and the politicians spend wisely.

What is your greatest fear for the Baton Rouge area?

That it loses its moral compass.