MARK MARIONNEAUX, 35
Vice president, Bank of Zachary
As the old saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” It’s why Mark Marionneaux volunteers in his community: as a youth baseball and soccer coach and as a board member of the Zachary Food Pantry. He’s also involved in the Zachary Chamber of Commerce, the Regional Arts Council and the Rotary Club. “I hope people will see my involvement in the community and it will inspire others to do the same,” he says. “Volunteerism is the heartbeat of quality communities.”
Inspiring book: The Noticer
A little dose of perspective can go a long way.
Major professional accomplishments: This award is the largest professional award I’ve received. I am blessed to work with a great group of people that amaze me every day. I get some credit, I think too much, for recently leading a major project that encompasses all areas of the bank. In reality, our entire team rallied together to launch it. I’m just grateful for their commitment and faith in me through it all.
Volunteer and community involvement: Zachary Chamber of Commerce, board member and current president; Rotary Club of Zachary, past president and board member; Regional Arts Council of Zachary, former board member; Zachary Food Pantry, board member; Louisiana Banker’s Education Council, at-large councilman; Zachary Economic Development Council; volunteer Youth Baseball and Soccer Coach
PROFESSIONAL
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to play professional baseball and basketball.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? One of my very first jobs was mowing the grass at my dad’s office. My first official job was a summer helper at the LSU Sweet Potato Research Station in Chase, LA near my hometown of Winnsboro, LA. I learned real quick that a life on the end of that hoe wasn’t where I wanted to be.
What is your favorite place for a business lunch in Baton Rouge? Cajun Catch in Zachary
What do you consider your greatest achievement? My kids and my marriage.
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 hope that people will see my involvement in the community and it will inspire others to do the same. Our communities are communities because of the people in them. They give of themselves without expectation of anything in return in hopes of leaving it a little better than they found it. It’s hard, no doubt, but volunteerism is the heartbeat of quality communities.
What ritual do you do to get pumped up before a big meeting, presentation or pitch? No ritual, just preparation.
What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career so far? My most fulfilling and gratifying moments thus far is easily the satisfaction of knowing that each and every day our customers are able to reach their dreams and goals with our help. Working for a community bank and dealing with small businesses on a daily basis.
What was your professional aha moment? Knowing that I have a long way to go to be the best I can be, I haven’t had that moment yet.
How many times will you try something before admitting it doesn’t work? The more you fail, the more you succeed. Learn from your failures and keep going. There are no predetermined attempts!
What is your best productivity hack? Late nights without distractions.
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? Considering all the regulations facing banks, I could list several!
TECHNOLOGY
Mac or PC? PC
What’s your preferred mode of communication: text or phone call? Phone call. Lose too much to be interpreted in a text.
How low will you allow your remaining battery life to get (in %) before you have an anxiety attack? When it goes dead.
How many unread messages are in your inbox right now? 0
Are you quick to adapt to new tech, or did you hang on to that flip phone way after it became obsolete? I don’t have the flip anymore, but is still have an iPhone 4. I haven’t met Siri yet!
PERSONALITY
How many times do you hit the snooze button? Depends on what day it is. Usually once or twice.
Breakfast at home? Breakfast on the go? Breakfast at your desk? No breakfast at all? All of the above. With 3 Elementary age kids it depends a lot on what kind of morning they are having. My wife fixes a good breakfast every morning. I just don’t always get to sit down and eat it.
Is the glass half empty or half full? What’s in the glass? Half full, Coke
What’s your motto? Same thing I tell me kids each morning when I drop them off for school. “Wear a smile, spread love and kindness,” it’s infectious.
When did you realize you had grown up? I hope I haven’t. Should we ever?
Which living person do you most admire? My Dad.
What trend do you really wish would come back? Chivalry.
If you could choose your age forever, what age would you choose and why? Part of life is knowing that it has an end. Enjoy and cherish the moment you are in. Every phase has its highlights.
What is your favorite journey? The one I am on right now with my kids. They are amazing.
On what occasion do you lie? I’m not smart enough to remember everything that did happen, much less what didn’t happen. I wouldn’t be a good liar.
What is your greatest regret? No regrets! Everything I have experienced has helped shape me into the husband, father, and person who I am.
When and where were you happiest? It was January 12, 2009, at Woman’s Hospital, when my youngest daughter was born. Before she was born, she was diagnosed with a life threatening condition that impacted her lung development. To hear her scream when she was born was the most joyful thing.
Which talent or superpower would you most like to have and why? I wouldn’t trust myself with a superpower.
If you worked for the CIA and needed a top-secret alias, what would yours be? Frogman (nickname my basketball coach gave me).
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would slowdown and spend more time in church and with the Lord.
What’s your most treasured possession? My first hunting rifle!
If you could live anywhere on this planet and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose to live and why? If I had everything I loved, it wouldn’t really matter where I was.
What do you most value in your friends? Honesty
What do you miss most about the ’90s? High School.
If you had to be a teacher of something, what would you teach? Financial literacy
Who would play you in a movie? Matt Damon
If you could go back in time 20 years, what advice would you give yourself? It’s OK to enjoy the moment.
LOOKING AHEAD
What’s the next challenge you have planned? Work on being a better me by being more interested than interesting.
Three things on your bucket list: Visit every Major League ballpark, play a round of golf at St. Andrews and Augusta, and take my son on a hunting trip to Canada.
If you have children, what concerns you most about the future they will inherit? I’m concerned they won’t have one. Our government is somewhat of a house of cards and is operating unsustainably.
What would be your advice for future Forty Under 40 honorees? Leave a legacy that lives beyond you by giving of yourself. Change is the only thing that is guaranteed. Embrace it, nothing ever stays the same.
Do you plan to be in the Capital Region five years from now? Yes.
Why have you chosen to make your home in the Capital Region? There is a lot of opportunity for my children. We love living in Zachary because it is small enough to have a community feel, but we are close enough to the amenities of the region. (My wife and I are both from small communities, Winnsboro & Winnfield.)
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 am nowhere near my peak. I think the good Lord has more in store for me. Only He knows, but I think I am just beginning.
