ROWDY GAUDET, 34
Chief of staff, Louisiana Office of Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit
In his position, Rowdy Gaudet helps to oversee Louisiana’s use of more than $14 billion the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development allocated for recovery from hurricane Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike and Isaac. This isn’t his first public service mission: He previously worked for the City of Lake Charles, U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. But he also makes time for community involvement at area nonprofits and coaches in the YMCA Youth League.
Inspiring book: Profiles In Courage
I read this book by John F. Kennedy years ago when I was becoming interested in politics and public service. It’s a series of stories of American elected officials who stood their ground on critical issues affecting our nation—even in the face of overwhelming opposition.
Major professional accomplishments: I’ve been privileged to serve in a series of positions in which I’ve been able to utilize my strengths, for both private and public organizations. And I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve on worthy non-profit boards like the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and the YMCA. Currently, I have the privilege of serving with dedicated people who work every day on the largest recovery effort in the history of this country.
Volunteer and community involvement: Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, executive committee member and board member; Charles W. Lamar Jr. YMCA, board member and membership chair; Capital Area United Way, program investment volunteer; YMCA Youth League, coach; St. George Church Pre-School of Religion & Children’s Church, volunteer; Greater Baton Rouge Area Chamber Leadership Program, alumni; John W. Barton Community Leadership Program, graduate; LSU MBA Alumni Association; McNeese State University Alumni Association
PROFESSIONAL
What do you consider your greatest achievement? I snagged a beautiful girl to be my wife and she has blessed me with three wonderful children. Nothing tops that.
How many times will you try something before admitting it doesn’t work? I was teaching my 5-year old son recently how to ride his bike without training wheels and I stressed to him the importance of not giving up even if you fall down a few times. I told him you have to stay focused on the end-goal, pay attention to how you need to adjust your approach, and ensure that you’re continuously improving. I suppose the same is true for life and work. It’s amazing what our kids can remind us of sometimes.
TECHNOLOGY
Are you quick to adapt to new tech, or did you hang on to that flip phone way after it became obsolete? I wasn’t a natural ‘early adopter’ of new technologies but I’ve learned over the past several years to stay attuned to and be familiar with emerging technologies, both for professional purposes in how it can impact efficiency and bottom-lines, as well as on a personal level, since the world that my children are growing up in is a digital world and I believe their ability to excel will rely on their mastery of managing the interaction of these technologies with people’s personalities.
PERSONALITY
How many times do you hit the snooze button? None. I’m a morning person and an early riser–much to the chagrin of some of my family members.
Is the glass half empty or half full? What’s in the glass? Don’t waste energy focusing on optimism or pessimism; be the one to grab the pitcher that’s sitting next to the glass and fill the glass all the way to the top.
What’s your motto? Philippians 4:13
When did you realize you had grown up? Are you kidding? Some days I’m singing songs from the movie Frozen at the top of my lungs with my kids. I only play a grown up when I’m at work.
Which living person do you most admire? I have been blessed to have worked with many admirable people in my career, all of them tremendous leaders and great mentors, and I have appreciation for each one of them. But I would say I have the most gratitude for my parents, Louis and Gayle Gaudet. I tell people that I grew up filthy rich–but I don’t mean with money. My parents taught our family faith, love and values through their words and actions, and those are lessons that are beyond measure. I owe them every debt of gratitude imaginable for their years of love and devotion for each other and for their children.
LOOKING AHEAD
If you have children, what concerns you most about the future they will inherit? If I think back to when my parents were raising my sister, brother and me, there’s no way they could have known what the world would look like when we turned 20, 30 or 40. They just did the best job they could of teaching us a foundation of faith and sound morals; I suppose I’ll do the same for my children and pray that they can use that to adjust to whatever future they inherit.
Why have you chosen to make your home in the Capital Region? What keeps me in the Capital Area is the same thing that anyone who has ever been to or lived in Louisiana knows and falls in love with: it’s the people and the culture. There’s so many unique areas in this region, complemented by such a diverse mixture of people with different perspectives and experiences. This adds such value to this area of the state. I love that on any given weekend I can take my family on a short drive in any direction and experience this regions unique cultural and recreational opportunities, its family-oriented activities, its great food, great football (even in a rebuilding year), and its annual festivities and traditions. Add to that the fact that we have made so many really wonderful friends and met really tremendous people in the Capital Area.
