OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAM

CURRENT CLASS

If you look at Knoxville 10 years ago we have made tremendous strides. I feel that we need to continue to build downtown but also continue to build the areas outside of downtown. My job is to get people to visit our amazing city and I'm fortunate it sells itself. I am also a proud resident and want to see us continue to do things that give a better quality of life to the families that call Knoxville/Knox County home.

That's simple. It's our people. I tell my team all the time if you get a client to town for a site visit they will book their event. They always love the walkability of our city but it always comes back to the southern hospitality and our people. They make Knoxville special.

I feel that we need to continue to build downtown, especially the waterfront. We are already a great place to live, work and play but I feel that engaging the waterfront and building it out will make our city even better for visitors and residents. We have a unique setup that our entire downtown and University of Tennessee are both very walkable to the waterfront. We need to take advantage of that.

I have a lot of great memories in Knoxville. From my college years to working in college athletics and eventually returning to help launch the Sports Commission for Visit Knoxville. I would have to say one of my most cherished memories was working as a student for Tennessee Football during the perfect season in 1998. That year will always be special to me.

Bible

I have been blessed with a lot of great mentors in my career. My college advisor, Dr. Buck Jones, is one that I still lean on to this day. I wouldn't be able to pinpoint one situation over the last 28 years but he has a knack for saying the right thing to me to make me see the big picture and not just the present day task. This has happened countless times and I can always count on him for advice that is good for me professionally and for my family.

Don't let go of that girl. My wife has been with me since I was 16 and I couldn't imagine my life without her and the three kids that God added to our family. They are my why and I am truly a blessed man.