JODY MONTELARO, 37
Vice president of public affairs, Entergy
Jody Montelaro is considered one of the most effective voices for energy in Louisiana. In his role at Entergy, he lobbies at the Louisiana Legislature and the Public Service Commission. But he’s also involved in multiple causes: New Schools for Baton Rouge, Louisiana Association of Business & Industry, the Manship Theatre, the Public Affairs Research Council and Capital Area United Way.
Inspiring book: The Art of Servant Leadership
This book provides high standards for achieving leadership goals through humble and inclusive interactions. I’m still very much a student in these practices.
Major professional accomplishments: Law School president and Law Review honors at Loyola University School of Law; clerkship, Louisiana Supreme Court, Honorable Justice Catherine “Kitty” Kimball; assistant executive counsel, Office of the Governor; policy adviser, Office of the Governor; secretary of the Louisiana State Mineral and Energy Board.
Hired at Entergy in February 2011 as senior governmental affairs executive with responsibilities for legislative and administrative relations. Promoted to director of governmental affairs, then to vice president of regulatory and governmental affairs. Now serves as vice president of public affairs with responsibilities for governmental relations of all of Entergy’s Louisiana operating companies, administering the Entergy Louisiana and Entergy Gulf States operating companies’ contributions dollars, low-income partnerships and initiatives and volunteer initiatives.
Volunteer and community involvement: New Schools Baton Rouge, board member; Capital Area United Way, board member; Public Affairs Research Council, board member; Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, board bember; Manship Theatre, board member. Also engage in multiple annual volunteerism projects with Entergy in Baton Rouge, including: National Hunting and Fishing Day with Wildlife and Fisheries, Entergy Weatherization Day with the City of Baton Rouge, Earth Day in downtown Baton Rouge, Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area Walk to Remember, etc.
PROFESSIONAL
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A restaurant owner and chef.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Bartender and waiter. I learned that I had a lot more to learn about the restaurant business.
What is your favorite place for a business lunch in Baton Rouge? Beausoleil or Ruth’s Chris
What do you consider your greatest achievement? My years spent in public service both when clerking for Justice Kitty Kimball at the Louisiana Supreme Court and also when working for the Governor’s office. My contributions in those jobs, no matter how small or large, provided me a tremendous sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
The old saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Specifically, what are you “being” to make Baton Rouge better? I am “being” a local. When my wife and I moved to Baton Rouge from New Orleans, we encountered two general types of people: 1) those that compare Baton Rouge to other places and/or seem dissatisfied; and 2) those that really embrace this town and make it home. We decided to embrace the change when we moved to Baton Rouge in 2011. We don’t try to “escape” every chance we get. We enjoy this community, the friends we have made here, the restaurants, stores, activities, community service opportunities, etc.
What ritual do you do to get pumped up before a big meeting, presentation or pitch? I practice my message in front of my wife. She’s a tough audience.
What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career so far? The Legislature’s passage and governor’s signature on the first bill I ever contributed to and lobbied.
What was your professional aha moment? Realizing that I did not particularly enjoy practicing law and that I was not particularly good at it. It was serendipitous that, at about the same time, I ran into a friend at the Louisiana State Capitol on Inauguration Day in 2008. I was there to watch a couple friends get sworn into the legislature, and my friend told me that there was an opening in the Governor’s office and insisted that I submit my resume to her to pass along. You just never know.
How many times will you try something before admitting it doesn’t work? I’ll usually try until my co-workers or friends can explain to me why my efforts have become ridiculous (stubborn).
What is your best productivity hack? Keeping my administrative assistant, Melissa, happy. She keeps me straight.
What does your job entail that would shock customers or clients if they knew about it? A lot of humility and a little cooking.
TECHNOLOGY
Mac or PC? PC
What’s your preferred mode of communication: text or phone call? It depends on who is on the other end.
How low will you allow your remaining battery life to get (in %) before you have an anxiety attack? 20% …. anything lower just isn’t right.
How many unread messages are in your inbox right now? I’m thinking the true answer is just embarrassing.
What app gets you through the day? Any GPS APP. Calling me directionally challenged is putting it gently. I can barely find my way out of the neighborhood.
Are you quick to adapt to new tech, or did you hang on to that flip phone way after it became obsolete? The flip phone is obsolete?
PERSONALITY
How many times do you hit the snooze button? Never, unless the alarm is for exercising.
Breakfast at home? Breakfast on the go? Breakfast at your desk? No breakfast at all? At home, Christina’s or Another Broken Egg.
Is the glass half empty or half full? What’s in the glass? Half full. Even when my days are busy and I feel overwhelmed, I like what I’m doing.
What’s your motto? “Boom!” It is something that I probably say entirely too much to friends and co-workers when something goes right or gets accomplished.
When did you realize you had grown up? The first time I received my mortgage note and student loan bill at the same time.
Which living person do you most admire? Andy Dreher. He hired me, and made my job look easy with the professionalism, charisma and grace in all his interactions.
What is your greatest extravagance? A good meal.
If you could choose your age forever, what age would you choose and why? Thirty-five. It was the year my wife and I were finally living in the same city together, and our first year discovering Baton Rouge … the end of commuting.
What is your favorite journey? A drive to the Fairhope/Point Clear, Alabama area when there is no traffic and the sun is setting.
On what occasion do you lie? About my weight. I always go bigger so as to be underestimated.
When and where were you happiest? The birth of my son, and a trip I took with my wife from Boston up through Maine.
Which talent or superpower would you most like to have and why? I’d like to be able to speak every language. I love to visit with new people, and think that you cannot duplicate the appreciation that someone shows when you make the effort to communicate in their language.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? The ability to relax more.
What’s your most treasured possession? A picture of my parents in New Orleans when they were in their early 20’s.
If you could live anywhere on this planet and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose to live and why? Baton Rouge. My family and I are happy here, and it’s close to friends New Orleans.
What do you most value in your friends? They are candid to the point of ridiculous.
What do you miss most about the ’90s? Cool Water
If you had to be a teacher of something, what would you teach? Jurisprudence or public policy in law school. I don’t think people really appreciate the origins and thought processes behind laws.
What is your theme song? “Lean Back” by Terror Squad
Who would play you in a movie? While I would like to say Jack Nicholson, it is probably more likely to be Jack Black.
If you could go back in time 20 years, what advice would you give yourself? Enjoy the moment a little more, and stick with Spanish classes.
What useless piece of information will you never forget? Our state Capitol is the tallest of all 50 states. Not necessarily useful, but interesting.
What makes you laugh every time you think about it? A friend of mine pointing to the side angle of a bridge in D.C., and commenting on the architecture of the early aqueducts.
Who’s the most famous celebrity you’ve ever met? Emeril Lagasse
LOOKING AHEAD
What’s the next challenge you have planned? Get an MBA
Three things on your bucket list: Taking my wife to Italy, writing a cookbook and own a small restaurant.
If you have children, what concerns you most about the future they will inherit? That bipartisanship (and effectiveness) is going the way of the El Camino.
What would be your advice for future Forty Under 40 honorees? Don’t take yourself too seriously. Enjoy the moment.
Do you plan to be in the Capital Region five years from now? I hope so.
Why have you chosen to make your home in the Capital Region? At first it was because of my job. Now, it’s because it just feels right.
Have you peaked, or do you think you’ll still have it when we launch our hypothetical “Forty Over 40” awards years from now? I never thought I’d be working in my current job, living in Baton Rouge or answering this questionnaire . . . so I’m open to anything.
