CHRIS NAKAMOTO, 30
Anchor/Chief investigative reporter, WBRZ-TV
Few people can say that their work has led to the recall of a mayor, the indictment of a police chief, and raises for hundreds of state employees. Chris Nakamoto can. The journalist credits those feats to his ability to listen. “Every person has a story to tell no matter how big or small,” he says. “Listening for that nugget of information can change someone’s life if we expose an injustice and turn a wrong in someone’s life into a right.”
Inspiring book: Boy Scout Handbook
I first read the material when I was less than 10 years old. By abiding by the handbook, I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout as a teenager. I still live by the principles that the book stands for: to maintain integrity in my life by being a good leader, respecting others, staying physically fit, and preserving morals.
Major professional accomplishments: Handful of AP Awards for Best Investigative Reporting, Reporter of the Year, Best In Depth Series and Story of the Year. My reporting has led to a historic recall of a local Mayor, indictment of a local Police Chief and allowed hundreds of State Employees to get raises after exposing hypocrisy by agency leaders.
Volunteer and community involvement: Three-time Emcee, Krewe Mystique de la Capitale; judge, jambalaya cook-offs; emceed multiple walks and 5k’s; read books to kids; talk to children about the importance of an education and speak to classes about the TV business.
PROFESSIONAL
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? News reporter.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? Cutting grass, earning money requires hard work.
What is your favorite place for a business lunch in Baton Rouge? Hunan.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Winning Dancing for Big Buddy in 2012 … I have two left feet.
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’m a good listener. Every person has a story to tell no matter how big or small. Listening for that nugget of information can change someone’s life if we can expose an injustice and turn a wrong in someone’s life into a right. A good example is a lady who we featured who had an inoperable fire hydrant in front of their home. It was broken for months and had a “not in service” sign posted on it. I was told by people responsible for fixing it, ‘You’re doing a story about one broken fire hydrant when there are thousands in the city?’ Yes, I sure am. The point is, it was broken for months, and it got fixed within hours of the story airing. I’m sure if that hydrant was in front of their home it would have been fixed the moment it broke.
What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career so far? Exposing injustice and corruption which in turn leads to positive change.
How many times will you try something before admitting it doesn’t work? Two times … I’m working on being more patient.
What is your best productivity hack? Staying organized. You’ll find dozens of file folders at my desk. It’s organized chaos. Some may think it’s a mess, but I know exactly where everything is.
What does your job entail that would shock customers or clients if they knew about it? Men wear makeup on TV.
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? 15%
How many unread messages are in your inbox right now? 16
What app gets you through the day? WBRZ.com
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 to adapt to new technology.
PERSONALITY
How many times do you hit the snooze button? Twice.
Breakfast at home? Breakfast on the go? Breakfast at your desk? No breakfast at all? Breakfast at home.
Is the glass half empty or half full? What’s in the glass? Half full, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon.
What’s your motto? Live each day to the fullest. You never know when it will be your last.
When did you realize you had grown up? After graduating from college and supporting myself entirely.
Which living person do you most admire? My dad. He moved from Japan to the United States as an adult. He spoke very little English. He worked hard and achieved the American dream. His determination ultimately paid off. When I was a child he patented a substance he discovered, and created a company that now uses that patented substance in Toothpaste. It’s revolutionary and regenerates tooth enamel. In his retirement, he works full time for Theodent, the company he created.
What is your greatest extravagance? Taking a nice vacation with my wife.
On what occasion do you lie? If the truth about someone’s physical appearance will hurt their feelings. Of course you look great.
When and where were you happiest? Wedding day: April 2010.
Which talent or superpower would you most like to have and why? The ability to fly. I would never have to sit in Baton Rouge traffic again.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My extreme fear of snakes.
What’s your most treasured possession? I would hardly consider them material possessions, but I can’t imagine life without my two Pomeranians, Rocco and Reggie.
If you could live anywhere on this planet and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose to live and why? St. Barths in the Carribean. It is the most gorgeous place I have ever visited. Beautiful beaches, postcard views, and phenomenal food.
What do you most value in your friends? Their honesty, support and reliability
If you had to be a teacher of something, what would you teach? Although it might impact the amount of stories I would have in the future, I would definitely teach ethics.
If you could go back in time 20 years, what advice would you give yourself? Don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.
What useless piece of information will you never forget? The word “defenestrate” means to throw something out of a window. My college professor used that term often, and I have never forgotten it. Since college, I have refrained from using that word in my vocabulary.
What makes you laugh every time you think about it? My two Pomeranians’ endless antics. No matter what kind of day I’ve had, they always seem to put a smile on my face.
Who’s the most famous celebrity you’ve ever met? Steven Seagal.
LOOKING AHEAD
Three things on your bucket list: Interview the president of the United States, travel to all seven continents, Climb Mount Fuji in Japan.
What would be your advice for future Forty Under 40 honorees? Give back to your community.
Do you plan to be in the Capital Region five years from now? I certainly hope so. I’ll be here as long as the Capital Region will have me.
Why have you chosen to make your home in the Capital Region? Although some cities are stale, Baton Rouge is up and coming. There are so many good things happening in this community with development and new jobs. I’m proud to call it home.
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 have not peaked. I try to learn from every mistake I make, and try not to repeat them. I’m always looking for new challenges and taking a short cut is not my style. I will continue working hard so the public can continue to trust the media. We have a tremendous responsibility with freedom of the press to make sure the public views us with integrity and respect.
