Age: 37
Occupation: VP of Finance and Operations, Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
What do you consider your greatest professional achievement(s)?
Planning and executing many large-scale events including FRYfest, RAGBRAI and the North Liberty Centennial Celebration.
What would most people be surprised to learn about you?
Most people would be surprised to learn that there are things that bother me from time to time. I pride myself on keeping an even demeanor in any circumstance so there aren’t a lot of people who see me get upset.
What do you know now that you wish you had known earlier in your career?
I wish I would have known the value of finding a career that allows you to use many different skills at the same time. My position at the CVB has allowed me to grow into a true “utility” professional.
How do you ensure a balance between work and your personal life?
I wouldn’t choose to work in a career that doesn’t allow me to spend enough time with my wife and kids because I had parents that were there whenever I needed them growing up. I wouldn’t have it any other way for my family.
What’s something people should know about your generation in the workplace?
My generation may be the last to truly know the value of face-to-face communication.
If you had $1 million to give, what causes would you support?
I would support Juvenile Diabetes research first and foremost. I am a type-1 diabetic and I know first hand the struggles that go along with the disease. The remainder would go towards giving less fortunate kids the opportunity to participate in any extracurricular activities they can’t otherwise afford.
