OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

CURRENT CLASS

Knoxville has always had a smalltown feel. I like progress but not at the cost of losing that feel. I think we need to protect our inherent attributes as we grow. I believe growth should be measured so that our infrastructure keeps pace with the growth. Good schools, parks, walkability and smaller more intimate commercial growth over malls and high rise buildings is my preference. Good leadership is key and having people who value product over profit is essential. Residential development that promotes green space and sidewalks is my vision. Drawing people outdoors and interacting with each other is better than indoors in front of screens. I would like to see better use of mass transit in Knoxville as well. Lessen traffic and improve air quality.

Not sure it's a big secret but Legacy Parks is an organization that has somewhat quietly made a pretty big impact on Knoxville and I believe needs to be promoted. Protecting lands and natural spaces and animal habitat is key to our growth in East Tennessee. Having an organization that is looking forward and making sure that protection is incorporated into the big picture as we grow is just good stewardship of what we have been entrusted with.

I would do everything possible to have the best schools, grades 1-12, in the country. If you have great schools, blight will deminish and the local economy will improve. Everyone wants the best education for their children. That would attract great families to our community which would ultimately provide us with smart people who want to look out for the next generation and beyond. With the University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge Lab being part of our community Knoxville/Knox County should build a think tank that could advance education in our area beyond anything we have thought of previously. We need to become the education capital of our country.

I was fortunate to grow up in Forestbrook and raise my children in the same neighborhood. There are too many memories to name just one. Riding bikes, building forts and tree houses, playing with lots of friends, camping out, sledding down Olympic size hills and then doing the same thing with my children was all very special. I've also got some pretty good memories of dating my wife and times together with good friends in this wonderful area when you are young and in love.

Currently reading "How to Know a Person" by David Brooks

Jon Burnett was the father of a childhood friend and an attorney in Knoxville. Jon and I went to church together and became good friends as he neared retirement and I was starting my career in real estate. I had been deceived by a builder and lost a sale which cost me a large commission at that time. I was enraged and ready to go to war. Jon sat me down and advised me to wait before acting, sleep on it and pray about it before I did anything. He showed me that talking through things was better than an angry reaction and sometimes we don't get what we expected but can still learn from the process.

Study harder, shadow as many people as you possibly can in every field you have any interest in. Take a career course to find out what you are most suited for. Take guitar lessons immediately. Travel every opportunity you have to different types of cultures and geographic regions of the globe. Read constantly. Make physical training part of your regular routine. Learn good eating habits and how to cook. Avoid social media at all costs. Perfect the art of listening. Make sure you marry Karen Dean.