Garrett Hiebert, 36
Director of Corporate and Business Development, Bernhard Energy Solutions
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:
- While at The Shaw Group, working on the Hurricane Katrina recovery project, helping New Orleans residents get temporary housing installed on their property so families could return home and begin the rebuilding process.
- Part of the team that formed a new company, raising $400 million during the company’s initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange.
- Joining a team working to create world-class, energy efficient systems that help clients save energy.
COMMUNITY:
Serves as a board member for the Louisiana Arts & Sciences Museum and is a fundraising team member for the Bella Bowman Foundation’s Waiting on a Cure.
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY
Principles by Ray Dalio
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
Professional soccer player
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
My first job was cutting grass when I was 16. It taught me that it is hot during the summer in Baton Rouge and that I should go to college.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
Selling sporting goods at Sears in the Mall of Louisiana.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
Definitely depends on the type of meeting but you can’t go wrong with J. Alexanders and their grilled chicken salad.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
This isn’t a specific instance but I consider my ability to bring positivity to situations to be something I have been able to achieve throughout my career. I can stay positive and be optimistic in the face of adversity. I’m almost always going to have a smile on my face and try to bring the best out of people to get a plan together to get the deal done.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
Being thanked personally by a person who lost their home during Hurricane Katrina for expediting their temporary housing needs.
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA” MOMENT?
Getting a full time job at The Shaw Group in 2005. I had just finished my MBA and could not find a job. One day I got a call from a temporary staffing company that had an opportunity at The Shaw Group to answer phones for $8 an hour and I took it to get my foot in the door. After a few months I was made a full-time employee and realized what the professional world was all about.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
I’m not sure if it was the hard way but one of the most important things I have learned is to communicate at the richest levels, meaning face to face meetings take priority, phone calls are second, emails are third and texts are last. Although email and text are convenient, I believe, they are easily misunderstood and do not build lasting relationships.
WHAT GIVES YOU PROFESSIONAL INSPIRATION?
The people I work with. I work with and for a group of amazing people that support me, give me guidance, motivate me, and give me the tools to be successful. Nothing is impossible if you are willing to put the work in to achieve it.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
Thank you or good job. I’m a simple guy.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
I am on social media only to keep up with my wife.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
Text, 50 to 75; emails, 30 to 40
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
ZERO!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
Laudate. It’s the perfect way to start your day.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
It was first released in 2007, so it’s been 11 years, but I think the iPhone is best advancement of my lifetime.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
Voicemail. I’m ecstatic that the iPhone now transcribes voice messages.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
4:30am. It’s the only time I know I will have free during the day to get to the gym.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
Chocolate protein shake on the go.
THE SAYING GOES: “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
Father Josh at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in St. Amant has a saying—“Be a Saint today.” If we could all be Saints, Baton Rouge would definitely be a better place. That is a lofty goal for me because I am just a simple guy. I just try to “do to others as you would have them do to you” and try to love and be kind to everyone. You never know what someone else is going through so put a smile on yourself and be kind. A simple smile and a hello could change someone’s day.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP?”
Not sure I have realized that yet!?!?
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
Every vacation I get to spend with my family beats the last one.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
An old school Sega Genesis.
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
Have the ability to manipulate time. There never seems to be enough time in my life.
WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
G or Heebs
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT?
I don’t believe in superstition.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
My wife! She is a Saint, an absolute amazing woman!
WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
Thor because he is a down to earth leader who is always looking out for his people.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Good bottle of red wine.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
Matt Maher or Chris Tomlin
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
Any superhero movie I get to watch with my kids.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
Thor because my wife thinks he is hot and he is one bad dude.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
I started dating my wife when I was 17 so it still would have been late but if I would have known then that my wife is right all the time it would have saved me a lot of trouble!
PETS?
Gizmo. A black Pomeranian.
HOBBIES?
Watching my kids play sports, an occasional round of golf in the spring and fall, LSU football in the fall, and few hunting trips in the winter.
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
My most recent life changing moment was the St. Aloysius ACTS Retreat in April 2018. I can’t tell you much else about it due to the “River Rule” but if you get the chance to attend an ACTS retreat I highly recommend you do so.
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
What kind of world my kids will grow up in. The world is becoming an extremely polarizing place. The more radical, hatred and dividing topics/people seem to be getting the most attention. It’s like a cancer that just continues to grow.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Take time to celebrate the wins and honor the people who support and make you successful.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Yes. I am committed to raising my family in Baton Rouge. I have traveled the world for work and while there are many amazing cities out there nothing compares to home.
IF NAMED KING FOR A DAY, WHAT IS ONE CHANGE YOU WOULD MAKE IN BATON ROUGE?
This is a no brainer. I would fix the traffic issue maybe even add a new bridge.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
Walking my two girls down the aisle and being there for my son when his first baby is born.
See the entire 2017 Forty under 40 class
