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Full name: Russell J. “Joey” Coco, Jr.

Title: Partner

Company: ENGENSUS Engineering and Consulting

Age: 31

Hometown: Baton Rouge

Why do you do what you do?

I want to make a significant difference for my career as a professional engineer, for Louisiana, and for Baton Rouge.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

Starting an engineering firm.

What was your first job?

Lifeguard at Jefferson Terrace Aquatic Club.

What is the best advice you've ever received?

Stress is relative! What may seem to be a stressful situation for one may be a drop in the bucket for another.

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

My uncle Warren Coco, CEO of Go-Devil Manufacturers of Louisiana, Inc. Why? Because he grew an internationally recognized industry right here in Baton Rouge and did it by attending the school of “hard knocks.” I never miss the opportunity to learn from him.

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

High school physics teacher.

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

Going back to school to earn an MBA part-time, taking the Professional Engineers exam, and working full time – all at roughly the same time.

If you started over, what would you do differently?

With respect to the big picture, not too much. I’ve lived a very fortunate life thus far. Of course, there are more trivial items that I would change, but who knows what would have come or where I would be if I had done those things differently.

What is your prescription for life?

It is easier to fail and say you tried, than failing to try. Always have a project to try things out!

What book are you currently reading?

Various coastal engineering textbooks and literature.

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

My Mom Jody – I can always get good advice from her, My Uncle Warren Coco – I can learn just about anything I’m curious about from him, and my wife Leslie – it is always relaxing to have dinner with her. Surely there are other inspiring leaders to have dinner with, but I wouldn’t trade for the opportunity to have dinner with these family members.

Who would play you in a movie?

Yoda.

What do you do to unwind?

My wife and I have “date night” at least once a week. For me, it is the most relaxing moment of the week.

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

Aside from our house, I’d say my audio/video equipment.

What is your favorite weekend activity?

Spending time with my kids and always having a project at home.

What's your theme song?

The theme song to Miami Vice.

What's your favorite spot in Baton Rouge?

Tsunami at the Shaw Center downtown and Serop’s Café on Corporate Boulevard.

How do you take your coffee/tea?

I like Community Coffee with Chicory, two packs of equal and an ample amount of cream to a muddy color.

What is your favorite movie? TV show? Band?

Movie: Airplane – I love really, really dumb comedy, TV Show: Man vs. Wild – my wife can’t stand it, Band: Seal – I really enjoy his work.

What is your favorite gadget?

My iPhone.

What is something that you can't live without?

My wife, my kids, my immediate family living in Baton Rouge, and my closest friends.

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

It is a tough question to answer because I would change a lot. As a civil engineer, I would strive to change our transportation infrastructure. I know that I spend at least an hour commuting just 8 miles to and from work each day and I’m sure there are many others. To me, the societal costs of this are very high – from quality of life to lost productive time to lost time looking for new opportunities.

What is your greatest hope for Baton Rouge?

Many; including better public schools, transportation network, quality of life, and sustainable development.

What is your greatest fear for Baton Rouge?

Explosive growth towards the south and east of the city (out of East Baton Rouge Parish and the city towards Ascension and Livingston) because of things like better public schools in those areas.