Full name: Thomas A. Livesay
Title: Executive Director
Company: LSU Museum of Art
Age: 64
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Why do you do what you do?
Museums retain our culture, and make sense of it in ways that we had not previously considered. It’s terrific working in such a creative atmosphere.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
Building the Dallas Museum of Art, with a great team of people, on time and under budget.
What was your first job?
As director of the Longview (TX) Museum & Art Center. If that were not enough, I was the first director they had ever hired, so there was a lot of “slippage” as we both tried to figure out what to do.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Always hire people that are smarter than you. I always do exactly that; just ask any of our employees.
Who do you most admire in the local business community and why?
Sue Ann Cox, the CFO for Kleinpeter is at the top of my list because of her hard work and commitment to quality. There are LOTS of others.
If you could have any job other than your own, what would it be?
Sculptor.
What is the greatest personal or professional obstacle you’ve overcome?
My ego.
If you started over, what would you do differently?
Complete a PhD.
What is your prescription for life?
Loving wife, good friends, and time for both.
What book are you currently reading?
The Hemingses of Monticello
If you could have dinner with any three living people, who would they be? (Authors? Leaders?)
Authors Sarah Vowell, Jill Lepore and artist Cindy Sherman.
Who would play you in a movie?
J.K. Simmons
What do you do to unwind?
Fish. Read.
What is the most expensive purchase you’ve made for yourself?
A new car, but that was 156,790 miles ago.
What is your favorite weekend activity?
A slow dinner with a good bottle of wine.
What’s your theme song?
Hank Williams’ I Saw the Light
What’s your favorite spot in Baton Rouge?
Home
How do you take your coffee/tea?
Black / lemon, no sugar.
What is your favorite movie? TV show? Band?
A Night at the Opera
What is your favorite gadget?
BlackBerry
What is something that you can’t live without?
My wife, Amanda.
If you could change one thing about Baton Rouge, what would it be?
Light rail transportation.
What is your greatest hope for Baton Rouge?
That the arts are viewed as crucial to the soul of the city.
What is your greatest fear for Baton Rouge?
That K-12 education will not be improved.
