KYLE PLOTKIN, 32
Chief of staff, Gov. Bobby Jindal
For five years, Kyle Plotkin was the guy behind Gov. Bobby Jindal’s sound bites. In February, he replaced the departing Paul Rainwater as chief of staff. Previously, he served in John Kennedy’s campaign for U.S. Senate, Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign and as a researcher for Public Opinion Strategies.
Inspiring book: Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
Dr. Seuss was right. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”
Major professional accomplishments: Press secretary, communications director and assistant chief of staff for Governor Bobby Jindal.
PROFESSIONAL
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A baseball player
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? In high school, to earn extra money, I umpired Little League baseball games. I learned that I don’t want to be an umpire. No one ever congratulates the umpire for calling a good strike or ball, but they will attack an umpire when you make the wrong call.
What is your favorite place for a business lunch in Baton Rouge? I don’t have the opportunity to go out for lunch a lot, but one of my favorite spots during the week is Smokin’ Aces.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? I don’t know if I have achieved one yet. I tend not to focus on things like that and just try to do my job to the best of my ability and be loyal to my family and friends.
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 live here. I purchased a house here and I am putting roots down. I believe in what’s happening in Baton Rouge and our entire state. Baton Rouge doesn’t know what it is yet. I think this is an incredibly exciting time to be in Louisiana, but especially Baton Rouge. We are at an inflection point. From the restaurant scene to the entertainment scene to the many new businesses coming to the city, we’re in the midst of great change. There are so many people here who are young and hungry to make Baton Rouge a true destination, and not just be the next Austin or Nashville, but something unique.
What ritual do you do to get pumped up before a big meeting, presentation or pitch? Before a baseball game, I used to listen to Van Halen’s “Right Now,” but I can’t do that quietly or “professionally” in the governor’s office. Now I take my dad’s advice he gave me when I was in school–study in the same environment you plan to take the test in. It basically means I prepare for a meeting or an event in an environment where I can actually remember the information I need to present.
What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career so far? Any future challenge I face. Those moments are always a good test for putting forth the skills you have learned.
What was your professional aha moment? This may sound bizarre, but probably every single day. I try to learn something new each day and in this job, that’s always a possibility. It’s intellectually challenging and there’s usually a problem to try and solve. If you think you grasped everything in one moment, then you probably haven’t. I have had the good fortune of having a few great mentors in different jobs and I try to ask advice of those folks all the time.
What did you learn the hard way? Eating carbs isn’t good for weight loss.
TECHNOLOGY
Mac or PC? Mac
What’s your preferred mode of communication: text or phone call? Depends on the person on the receiving end. Text for a long talker.
How low will you allow your remaining battery life to get (in %) before you have an anxiety attack? 99%
How many unread messages are in your inbox right now? Zero if I am awake.
What app gets you through the day? Instagram
Are you quick to adapt to new tech, or did you hang on to that flip phone way after it became obsolete? I judge people with flip phones.
PERSONALITY
How many times do you hit the snooze button? I tend to wake up before my alarm.
Breakfast at home? Breakfast on the go? Breakfast at your desk? No breakfast at all? At work. Always coffee at least.
Is the glass half empty or half full? What’s in the glass? I’m a realist, but I’m never opposed to my glass being at least half full with a beer.
If you could build a statue downtown, who or what would it represent? My dog Wiley, but for no particular reason.
What’s your motto? Wash your hands regularly.
When did you realize you had grown up? My mom still calls me a couple times a week to ask me if I have done certain things, so I don’t know if that moment has happened yet. I’ll probably regret admitting this after I read it.
Which living person do you most admire? That’s a tough question. I admire members of my immediate family the most, especially my younger brother who serves in the military.
What is your greatest extravagance? Cooking tools and supplies. And clothes.
What trend do you really wish would come back? Crocs, but I’m not sure Crocs were ever “in.”
If you could choose your age forever, what age would you choose and why? Whatever age I am today. Each year gets better.
What is your favorite journey? Moving to Louisiana.
What is your greatest regret? I am sure there are a handful of big regrets, but one of my top regrets is not traveling more after I graduated from college, and instead, going straight to work.
When and where were you happiest? Spending time with or cooking for my friends and family.
Which talent or superpower would you most like to have and why? I wish I could play an instrument and sing (with a good voice).
If you worked for the CIA and needed a top-secret alias, what would yours be? Chef
If you could live anywhere on this planet and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose to live and why? I reject the premise. I would have two homes. One here in Louisiana, and another on an island somewhere.
What do you most value in your friends? Loyalty.
What do you miss most about the ’90s? The Macarena.
If you had to be a teacher of something, what would you teach? Cooking.
Who would play you in a movie? The guy who plays Schmidt on New Girl. Also, when American Pie came out, everyone said I looked like Jason Biggs.
If you could go back in time 20 years, what advice would you give yourself? Listen to your parents.
Who’s the most famous celebrity you’ve ever met? Anna Kendrick. There may be “more famous” people I have met, but I just hope she sees this article.
LOOKING AHEAD
Three things on your bucket list: Perfecting my pizza-making by spending time in Italy, traveling to Israel and get married and have kids.
If you have children, what concerns you most about the future they will inherit? That’s a negative way to look at things. I’m optimistic about the future.
What would be your advice for future Forty Under 40 honorees? Don’t take yourself too seriously.
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? I came to Louisiana over six years ago and only expected to be here for about seven months, but I was fortunate enough to land a great job with the governor’s office. I fell in love with Baton Rouge and the entire state.
