My BTR Story

I spent most of my childhood and college years in Baton Rouge, but I left after graduation and spent the first five years of my career in Virginia. During my time in VA, my work brought me to 150+ cities across the US, many of them college towns. I learned a few things through this travel: Louisiana, and Baton Rouge in particular, possesses a unique blend of advantages that many other places simply lack. We have a powerful brand, incredible assets and resources like LSU, and a rich cultural tapestry woven from our vibrant hospitality, love of food, and deep-rooted commitment to family and fellowship.

However, I also observed that many cities have a more positive and proactive attitude than we do. They embrace their unique strengths and actively promote what makes them special. This realization fueled my desire to return to Baton Rouge and contribute to a more optimistic and forward-thinking community surrounded by family and friends.

Building Community in the Boardroom and at the Ball Park

My commitment to Baton Rouge extends beyond my professional role at Louisiana Workers' Compensation Corporation (LWCC). LWCC itself is more than just a workplace; it's a community. I'm constantly inspired by the talented individuals I work alongside and the company's unwavering commitment to its mission.

But my involvement goes beyond the boardroom. I lead a "Hogs for the Cause" team with my college friends, where we've raised over $200,000 to support families battling pediatric brain cancer. And I can't forget coaching my children's sports teams. Coaching Kindergarteners in basketball and baseball has been humbling, rewarding, and full of laughter.

Of course, no Baton Rouge story is complete without a mention of LSU. As an avid Tiger fan, sharing the excitement of game day with my sons and creating unforgettable memories in Tiger Stadium and Alex Box Stadium has been a highlight of my life.

Choosing Purpose & Profit in BTR

I fundamentally believe that for Baton Rouge and Louisiana to reach its full potential, we can’t rely on government and non-profit alone. Private businesses must step up to help our community and state solve our toughest problems and capitalize on our opportunities.

Simply put, the community we want our grandchildren to live in decades from now, starts with the business community we build today.  

In 2019, I joined LWCC’s executive team to help re-position the company and we adopted a bold new vision statement – to be a catalyst elevating Louisiana’s position in America. To accomplish this, we launched Louisiana Loyal, a movement to celebrate and elevate our home state. Since then we’ve worked to enhance our core business functions, seeking to serve stakeholders every day at the highest level, and also launched nine innovative new initiatives focused on making our home state a better place to work and live. These initiatives channel resources and talent toward improving our economy, celebrating what makes our community unique, and deploying innovative problem-solving.  

LWCC is a living case study that you don’t have to choose between purpose and profit. In fact, by being a purpose driven company you can fuel your business objectives. People want to do business with those who share the same “why.” Our community needs more purpose driven companies.  

Baton Rouge is Not All Business

For me, the ideal Baton Rouge weekend is a perfect blend of work and play. A big LSU football weekend is the perfect example. Friday night involves hosting a gathering of friends for gumbo, drinks, and lively conversation. Saturday is filled with coaching my sons' basketball games, tailgating with fellow Tiger fans, and cheering on the team. Sunday is dedicated to family time, attending church, enjoying a round of golf, and sharing a home-cooked meal with my family, parents, and siblings.