My name is Cole Rankin, I am 24, and I grew up on the edge of Baton Rouge in the City of Central.
I design train parts as a Mechanical Engineer and if you’ve seen a guy riding a unicycle at the local mountain bike trails or skatepark, then it was probably me.
As a kid, I attended a small school called Victory Academy which is where I met many of my lifetime friends. The founder of The Faces of Baton Rouge, Damien Tullier, was actually my P.E. Coach throughout these years and we recently had the pleasure of reconnecting when I was buying my house. I graduated from Central High and then moved to North Louisiana for college. I spent four great years in Ruston at Louisiana Tech University where I got my degree in Mechanical Engineering.
After spending three years working in Alexandria, my job became remote and I was thankfully able to move back to Baton Rouge.
I always enjoy a good challenge. It’s part of what drew me to engineering as well as my outdoor interests. My father and I have spent years riding dirt bikes together on difficult trails and have gone as far as Moab, Utah to do so.
I enjoy any activity on a wheel but everywhere I go I’ve been known as ”the unicycle guy.” When I was 10 I saw a guy on TV riding a unicycle off-road and, as strange as it was, I knew that was a challenge I wanted to take part in. I bought a unicycle the next day and after 14 years I still enjoy the unique experience of riding a unicycle on terrain that was not intended for one wheel.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
After college, I spent several years designing Tank Cars. Those are the round train cars that you see carrying products in and out of all your local chemical plants. I now design valves and other specialty components for these Tank Cars. Every day is different and my favorite part of the job is seeing the devices go from ideas on a page to physical products being used on the railroad.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I really like The Chimes, Sonny’s BBQ, and Walk-Ons. All are Baton Rouge bred with great food and fun atmospheres
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I spent my first 18 years here growing up and joyfully moved back here last month.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would like to go to Australia. It looks like a beautiful place overflowing with outdoor fun. People say everything there tries to kill you, but that adds to the excitement of the adventures that the country has to offer.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
My favorite movies are 007 Casino Royal and Hot Rod. One is serious with an intricate plot while the other is complete nonsense.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Keep life interesting and build genuine connections with those around you. Life is dynamic with highs and lows, but always find a way to make each moment special. Be intentional and care for the people around you. As you build them up, they will do the same for you. That kind of fellowship makes each day more meaningful and creates a community that you are happy to be a part of.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would like to patent an invention for something I designed
Q: What is your go-to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Chris Stapleton
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Elon Musk. He’s one of the most impactful engineers of our generation and is pioneering the future of innovation. The local restaurant Spoke & Hub is where I would go because it would be a fitting setting with the surrounding mechanical devices.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I like the unique mix of city life and rural life that Baton Rouge has. Drive 20 minutes one way and it’s very developed with all the city entertainment. Drive 20 minutes in the opposite direction and you can be riding a four-wheeler in a farmer’s field.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I hope to still be in Baton Rouge surrounded by friends and family. I don’t want to lock into too many of my own plans because God always has a way to change life into something better. At 24 y/o, life is full of unknowns and opportunities. I like keeping the future open as it keeps life exciting.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I wrote and recorded an album during my senior year of college. I really just made it as a personal challenge to see if I was capable, so I didn’t market it much.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Colorado Springs when the leaves change colors in the fall.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Month: October. Holiday: Christmas. Single day: January 1st because it’s a fresh start.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A road trip with friends to a place none of you have ever been.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Any elderly person with great life stories.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
The sweet scent of 2-stroke motorcycle exhaust. Not the best for your health, but it’s the smell of nostalgic fun.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Peace, Family, Community