OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

CURRENT CLASS

I would love to see Knoxville achieve its goal of becoming the most founder-friendly city in America, with more people willing to get involved and back local businesses and start-ups. The entrepreneurial community is growing, but it can still accelerate.

That it is the capital of Appalachia, and is a very different place than Nashville, Charlotte, or Atlanta. Knoxville is the largest small town in the lower 48.

I spend most of my volunteer time in and around the entrepreneurial community. Starting a business is hard, hard work, and its hard to understand until you try it. I don't consider myself an expert in much of anything, but if I can help someone else then I will. Plus, I love the energy around startups - everything is possible, and everyone is passionate. Its a great place to be.

Rushing the field at Neyland Stadium in 2022

My favorite book is the Iliad, and the book I read the most is the Bible.

"There is something wrong here, you just have to find it." That was from a Japanese mentor back when I was an early engineer. It perfectly encapsulates how to think and evaluate processes. And understanding the process is foundational to management, technology, or almost anything else you want to do with a start-up.

My 16 year old self was an incredibly insecure person constantly searching for validation who made up for it by being loud. I would tell him that confidence, humility, and modesty are the three pieces in the puzzle. They have to exist in balance.