30seconds with Lorin Crenshaw

Lorin Crenshaw recently moved to Baton Rouge from New York City and became director of treasuruy operations at Albemarle Corp.

We asked him to describe his first impressions of his family’s new home.

You’ve worked for CitiGroup in Manhattan and in other major cities and are new to Baton Rouge. What was your first impression?

It was going from the airport to downtown for my interview last December. I thought downtown had lot of potential, but I was curious as to why they weren’t taking advantage of the riverfront. Now there is the River Center, and we’ve been there. Saw Elmo with our 3-year-old. But first impression, it seemed a little rough around the edges. I told my wife, ‘Sweetheart, it’s comparable to Mobile.’

So you had to report back.

Yes. And we have been pleasantly surprised how developed the suburbs are and how there are these cosmopolitan areas with decent shopping and things to do.

Where did you buy?

In Prairieville. We thought there’d be more value in the real estate. But the prices have really risen here since Katrina. We were bowled over in Prairieville with the kind of value we thought we’d get here.

Let’s talk traffic. How’s your commute?

Traffic is relative. Having lived in Manhattan, Philly and New Jersey, I’m accustomed to hour, hour-and-a-half commutes. I turn the key around at 6:30 in the morning and at 6:30 in the evening. It’s 30 minutes both ways. I have no complaints.

So, really our traffic is a selling point for attracting executives like yourself?

It is an improvement to my quality of life, comparatively speaking.

Have you thought about ways to get plugged in to the city?

Absolutely. Everywhere I’ve been, I’ve been active. Politically and community-wise. I’m vice president of a group called Republicans for Black Empowerment. I want to meet people and get involved with issues like school choice and optimal economic growth. Not fake growth like government spending.

Well, we’re getting more and more charter schools each year.

That is the ultimate political issue that demonstrates how often there’s a disconnect between what’s in the interest of the constituents and what’s in the interest of the entrenched powers. Why should a mother or father be locked into a terrible school? I want do whatever I can to be part of efforts to make it clear to these parents who may be victims of misinformation.