TERRENCE GINN, 38
Associate commissioner for finance and administration, Louisiana Board of Regents
Terrence Ginn has been the numbers guy for many a state agency: He has served as the fiscal analyst for the Louisiana House of Representatives, as director of finance and administration in the Office of the Governor, and now is the associate commissioner for finance and administration for the Louisiana Board of Regents. He also volunteers with community organizations: He is the governor’s designee to the Louisiana Human Rights Commission and commissioner for the Louisiana Chapter of the March of Dimes.
Inspiring book: Falling Forward
The book reminds me that failure, like success, is a process and not a destination.
Major professional accomplishments: Successfully advocating for higher education institutions to have more autonomy to handle building projects, emergencies and major repairs was pretty rewarding.
Volunteer and community involvement: Commissioner, Louisiana Human Rights Commission; governor’s designee, State Parks Commission; board member, Louisiana Chapter of March of Dimes; member, Knights of Columbus, St. Joseph Council
PROFESSIONAL
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A surgeon, thanks to my “Operation” board game.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Installing pools and decks during the HOT summer! I learned that an education was a MUST because the heat was not an option.
What is your favorite place for a business lunch in Baton Rouge? City Club
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Completing college and starting my first job at 21.
The old saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Specifically, what are you “being” to make Baton Rouge better? A participant. I enjoy raising money and volunteering with organizations that make Baton Rouge and Louisiana a better place to live for everyone!
What ritual do you do to get pumped up before a big meeting, presentation or pitch? Pray!
What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career so far? When I was selected to serve as Director of Finance & Administration in the Governor’s Office.
What was your professional aha moment? Still searching…
How many times will you try something before admitting it doesn’t work? At least twice.
What is your best productivity hack? The White Board in my office helps me remember and prioritize.
What did you learn the hard way? To listen to my mom the FIRST time.
What’s a weird rule at your job that you know is only there because someone was dumb enough to do it in the first place? Work on Fridays.
TECHNOLOGY
Mac or PC? PC
What’s your preferred mode of communication: text or phone call? Text
How low will you allow your remaining battery life to get (in %) before you have an anxiety attack? 0%
How many unread messages are in your inbox right now? 39
What app gets you through the day? Facebook
Are you quick to adapt to new tech, or did you hang on to that flip phone way after it became obsolete? I’m quick on technology, but I don’t wait in line for the latest and greatest ANYTHING!!
PERSONALITY
How many times do you hit the snooze button? I don’t own an alarm clock.
Breakfast at home? Breakfast on the go? Breakfast at your desk? No breakfast at all? No breakfast at all.
Is the glass half empty or half full? What’s in the glass? Always half full of Pinot Noir
If you could build a statue downtown, who or what would it represent? I’d erect a huge number “1” in the North Boulevard Town Square to remind our citizens that we are better off as one city- socially, economically and geographically.
What’s your motto? “Live and let live”
When did you realize you had grown up? When I reported to my first job after college.
Which historical figure do you most identify with? John F. Kennedy
Which living person do you most admire? Pope Francis
What is your greatest extravagance? My boat
What trend do you really wish would come back? Top-load wash machines
What is your favorite journey? I have yet to take it…..
On what occasion do you lie? At the DMV when giving personal stats for my driver’s license.
What is your greatest regret? Not spending enough time with my dad.
When and where were you happiest? 2001, when I completed graduate school and moved back to Baton Rouge.
Which talent or superpower would you most like to have and why? The ability to know when people are hurting/suffering. It disturbs me when people don’t allow others to help them through difficult life situations.
If you worked for the CIA and needed a top-secret alias, what would yours be? Back-up singer for Maze, featuring Frankie Beverly!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My height
What’s your most treasured possession? The $11.40 in a metal Clabber Girl baking powder can that my grandmother saved for me. We discovered it years after her death.
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, Louisiana. I love my life here and wouldn’t choose to live anywhere else.
What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty
What do you miss most about the ’90s? My 20’s.
If you had to be a teacher of something, what would you teach? Civics
What is your theme song? “Bad,” by Michael Jackson.
Who would play you in a movie? Well, obviously Kevin Hart.
If you could go back in time 20 years, what advice would you give yourself? Buy property in Spanish Town and Old Goodwood.
What useless piece of information will you never forget? It was once legal for the United States Post Office to mail small children.
What makes you laugh every time you think about it? Pretty much anything that came out of my grandmother’s mouth!
Who’s the most famous celebrity you’ve ever met? Brad Pitt
LOOKING AHEAD
What’s the next challenge you have planned? Earning a terminal degree.
Three things on your bucket list: Meeting Pope Francis, learning to fly an airplane, going on a Safari in Africa
What would be your advice for future Forty Under 40 honorees? Don’t take yourself too seriously. Life is short, enjoy it.
Do you plan to be in the Capital Region five years from now? ABSOLUTELY!
Why have you chosen to make your home in the Capital Region? I was born and raised in the Capital Region and I remain here because I believe that our best days are ahead.
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’m just getting started.
