Hampton J. Grunewald, 38
Associate Vice President for Governmental Relations, LSU AgCenter
PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Part of a team that developed the Louisiana Therapeutic Cannabis program, helping patients with qualifying conditions through the LSU AgCenter.
- Working with local and federal elected officials on funding and policy opportunities benefitting Louisiana families and providing opportunities for agricultural producers.
- Helping coordinate disaster recovery initiatives after hurricanes Katrina and Rita as executive assistant to the Baton Rouge mayor.
COMMUNITY:
Volunteers with Coastal Conservation Association to promote coastal issues awareness as well as with youth through the LSU AgCenter’s 4-H youth development program; also a former board member for the Greater Baton Rouge Literacy Coalition.
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY
Green Eggs and Ham—Sometimes you just have to try something new.
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
POTUS
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
I started a lawn service in my neighborhood when I was 10 years old. I had four to five lawns that I was responsible for maintaining weekly. This was my introduction to time and money management.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
Working at Orvis tying flies for offshore fishing.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
Diguilio Brothers—chicken avezzano po-boy
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Being a part of an institution that strives to make the lives of everyone in Louisiana better.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
Working as part of team to help develop the LSU AgCenter’s Therapeutic Cannabis program to help patients suffering from debilitating conditions.
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA” MOMENT?
I am hoping it hasn’t happened yet. There are too many great things on the horizon.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
Sometimes it feels like everything.
WHAT GIVES YOU PROFESSIONAL INSPIRATION?
Working on state and federal legislation, developing policy that helps students, residents and agricultural producers across the state.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
That I have patience and am able to work well with people to accomplish an end goal.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
No.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
I send around 20 texts a day. However, I find that emails are not very personal and context is easily misinterpreted. The more you can accomplish by phone or meeting in person, the better.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET (IN %) BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
Not very! I have a battery back up to make sure.
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
More than I should admit.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
Waze. I am amazed with the time this app can save on simple trips around town.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
I would have to say the mobile hotspot is the best advancement. The ability to be away from the office and access all your information and files allows for efficiency even when you are away from the office.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
Social media. Some things just don’t need to be shared.
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
I have three children ages six and under. I have no control of my mornings, but would say the first wake-up “Daddy!” is around 5 a.m.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
Breakfast is whatever is left on the kid’s plates after they get up. Makes cleanup easy!
THE SAYING GOES: “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
I try to make sure that with everything I do for work, it is for the benefit of everyone. Working towards specific selfish goals does not help progress anything.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP?”
Am I? When do I have to admit this?
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
Birthday trip to Key West, Florida, with friends.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
Fender Stratocaster Guitar
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
The ability to actually play the guitar I received as a Christmas gift. I enjoyed playing but I am sure my parents wished I would have learned a few new songs. I played the same handful of songs over and over.
WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
Hampy
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT?
I am not superstitious…that might be bad luck.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
George H. W. Bush
WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
MacGyver. You always need to be ready to make it work.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Bourbon
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
Guy Clark’s “The Cape”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
“Top Gun”
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
Mel Gibson in “Braveheart”
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Do it again!
PETS?
Two fish, a hermit crab and sporadically lizards, butterflies and anything else my daughters catch in the yard.
HOBBIES?
Fishing, hunting and working in garden.
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
Having three children and realizing that not everything can be planned.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
We’re currently working with our delegation and other leaders in Washington D.C. to improve connectivity in rural areas. This will provide opportunities for agricultural producers to monitor markets and access to data for production and provide residents with education programs, access to telemedicine, job training for industry and small business, and general accessibility to information and news.
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
I have three daughters. Everything.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
Our ability to make the right choices now.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Be yourself.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
Absolutely. Baton Rouge is an amazing city with continuously growing opportunities.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN BATON ROUGE; WHAT WORKS AND WHAT NEEDS IMPROVEMENT?
Baton Rouge is a great place to live. We have a great mix of culture, entertainment and history in city with a small town feel.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
Catch a tarpon on a fly, go to Scotland and run for public office.
See the entire 2017 Forty under 40 class
