What is your vision for Knoxville 10 years from now?
I want Knoxville to be a human-centered city where every person believes, feels, and acts like they matter and belong. The pathway for achieving this goal will come through collaborative partnerships involving key stakeholders like the University of Tennessee, corporate businesses, and community non-profits who contribute to a shared vision that prioritizes that people, ALL people, are our greatest asset. We can be that transformational role model for all communities and cities.
What is Knoxville's best kept secret?
Knoxville is unique in possessing a large and impressive portfolio of natural resources that are located within minutes of the downtown area. Those natural resources include urban wilderness, mountains, rivers, and lakes that provide a natural habitat for wildlife and a wide variety of outdoor entertainment options that are close by and easily accessible. Knoxville is remarkably pet friendly with dog parks and businesses that make special accommodations for employees and patrons for furry friends. For a medium sized city, Knoxville also is culturally rich in music, art, and Appalachian history.
What would you do to strengthen Knoxville?
Knoxville has a lot of small businesses and entrepreneurial endeavors that could use more support. This is especially apparent coming out of 18 months of a pandemic. Besides the economic impact for our city, small and unique businesses contribute to our culture.
What is your favorite Knoxville memory?
My favorite Knoxville memories include: participating in WBIR's "Round-up-the-Dough" campaign that saved "The Love Kitchen" (operated by Helen and Ellen), uniting Haitian children with their forever adopted families after the 2010 flooding caused by the earthquake/tsunami, and going to Booms-Day each Labor Day weekend.
What is your favorite book or what book is currently on your nightstand?
The Wright Brothers (David McCullough)
What is the best advice you have received from a mentor, and who was that mentor?
Be kind and encouraging to other people....they perform best when they know they are supported. (J.P. Johnson, Vice President, Teledyne Wah Chang, Huntsville, Alabama).
What advice would you give to your 16 year old self?
Don't take yourself so seriously....perfection isn't a life goal.
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