What is your vision for Knoxville 10 years from now?
With so many people moving to Knoxville from all over the country, I am excited to watch Knoxville grow culturally and more diverse. As an athletics department staff member, I also look forward to strengthening our athletics product leaving the community proud to support us day in and day out. I hope to contribute in our town’s growth and look forward to learning how I can be of service. Lastly, I want every young person in Knoxville to feel welcomed by our university and drawn in by our educational opportunities.
What is Knoxville's best kept secret?
I have lived in a lot of towns, but Knoxville reminds me most of growing up in San Jose, CA. I live downtown where I can enjoy the cool restaurants and fun shops, but I also enjoy driving the 15-20 minutes to West Knoxville where I can feel more suburban. The variety of extracurricular activities from eating to shopping to entertainment and more makes for a great place to live.
What would you do to strengthen Knoxville?
I believe every town in the United States can be strengthened through diversity – diversity of thought, diversity of upbringing, diversity of ethnic and racial backgrounds, diversity of gender, diversity of religious beliefs, and the list goes on – diversity will always strengthen any unit. In order to achieve diversity, I believe we must strive to bring people from varying sectors together to get to know one another and learn from one another. These types of unifications will strengthen any community.
What is your favorite Knoxville memory?
In 2004, I was working at the University of Florida and I attended my first SEC contest of any kind – Florida at Tennessee. It was a night game, so the crowd was pretty riled up. With six seconds left on the clock, UT’s kicker hit a 50-yard field goal to put them up 30-28 and ultimately win the game. It was my first time to Knoxville and my first taste of SEC Football. Needless to say, I was hooked. Who knew, almost 17 years later, I would move to Knoxville to represent the Vols. I will never forget that night.
What is your favorite book or what book is currently on your nightstand?
The Energy Bus
What is the best advice you have received from a mentor, and who was that mentor?
You attract more bees with honey than with vinegar. –My Mom
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?
I would have told myself to listen to the aforementioned advice from my mother. I eventually adopted the motto, but my stubbornness delayed the process a bit.
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