How long have you been part of the Heaven Hill family?

I started my Heaven Hill career as an intern back in June of 2014. What was only supposed to be a semester has somehow turned into nearly seven (!!) years. I used to always supplement my tenure with what percentage of my life I have gotten to spend here, but I actually hadn’t done that math in a while. Recent calculations say we are north of 25% now!

What’s inspiring you in life right now?  

The past year has obviously been tough for many people. One positive I have noticed is that sources of inspiration have accompanied the hard times, hand in hand. I think the thing encouraging me the most is the resiliency we get to see in people. In today’s climate, it can be all to easy to roll over and call it quits, yet people continue to get up and keep fighting. Whenever I feel down or think that I have it bad, it’s always motivating to look around and get inspired by those who refuse to give up no matter the situation.

Tell us about an organization or cause you are passionate about.

One organization I care a lot about is our Lean-In circle at the Hanover office. I have gotten the privilege to be a part of a group for the past several years, and it is something very near and dear to me. At the beginning, when Brittany Capito “volunteered” Patrick Stiff and myself to join as some of the first male members, I had no idea what I was getting into. Since then I have grown to love getting to connect with coworkers and discuss not only personal development, but real world problems in the work place. It is a great place to learn about things that I may not have ever been exposed to in my own day-to-day life and ways I can help to empower others.

Which Heaven Hill corporate value do you relate to most and why?

The corporate value that I attempt to relate to the most is Integrity. Being in the finance and data world, at times we are presented with information that presents an opportunity to be construed to fit any narrative. I always try to ensure the work my team and I produce is striving to do the right thing. In fact, I feel like I say that phrase at least once a month because of how much I truly believe in it. Regardless of what cards we are dealt it is one thing we can control. I like to keep that in mind whenever making a decision or communicating with a customer.

What’s your favorite Heaven Hill memory?

I think my favorite memory at Heaven Hill so far was the Christmas Party in 2018, and more specifically the after party. While most of us know that party busses are inherently going to be a good time, being on one with Missy Wezet and her crew was a whole new level of fun. Working at a place where I am able to have coworkers that are much more like friends is truly a blessing, and I am sure that there will be many more fantastic memories to come when we can all get back together.

What’s one thing people may not know about you?

Unfortunately, I am not very good at keeping secrets about myself, so this is a tough one. I think, by this point, most people have heard about my cheerleading, high school marching band and other musical instrument pasts. The one I don’t talk about all that often is my love of sailing. I grew up in Florida and spent many summers during my pre-teen years as part of a sailing program at the local yacht club. To this day it is still one of my favorite things to do, but, unfortunately, I don’t get to do it all that often. That being said, my dad and I will always try to get the sailboat out on Lake Cumberland once a year in the fall.

What’s your favorite time of day?

As much as I wish I could be, I am definitely not a morning person. My favorite time is typically later in the evening between 10pm and midnight. For me that is when I feel the most focused and productive. I tend to leave the items that require my upmost attention and also my hobbies for late at night.

What are three things you can’t live without?

I think the three things I couldn’t live without are music, our dog Fitzgerald and (I swear I am not joking) Microsoft Excel. I think the first two are obvious and a little cliché, but the third one couldn’t be more true. I owe my career, my personal organization skills and honestly a whole lot of the fun I have while working to that fantastic little tool. 

What would you like to be remembered for?

I simply want to leave the impression of being happy and appreciative. Personally I always strive to take everything one day at a time and to not let the past or the future burden me in the current moment. A big part of why I do that is so I can appreciate what is happening while it is happening. I want my time spent with others to be remembered fondly. My hope is that after meeting someone new they will look back on our interaction and feel that I genuinely valued them spending their time to meet with me.