People have always been the reason.

My roots.

I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but grew up primarily in Gaffney, South Carolina. The Carolinas have been home for much of my life, and Gaffney is where I spent most of my growing-up years.

My parents have been two of the greatest influences in my life, and I would not be where I am today without them. Their love, encouragement, and belief in me have helped shape the person I've become, both personally and professionally. They have been there through the opportunities, challenges, and changes along the way, and their support has meant more than I could ever adequately express. Whatever success I've had, I know they have played an enormous part in making it possible, and that's something I will never take for granted.

I am very close to my family, especially my sister, my brother-in-law, and my niece and nephew. Being part of their lives matters a great deal to me. As my own life and career have taken me to different places, those relationships have remained important.

A different career path, but the same desire to help.

I started college as a pre-med student because I wanted to help people. Medicine appealed to me as a way to do something useful and make a meaningful difference in someone's life.

My career eventually took me into human resources and then into broader leadership and operational responsibilities. Although the work looked different from what I first imagined, I found that same opportunity to help people move forward.

I enjoy seeing someone find their confidence, grow into a new responsibility or work through a situation that once felt overwhelming. Sometimes being helpful means offering advice. Sometimes it means listening, making an introduction or helping put the right support in place.

Making Kingsport home.

Tom and I moved to Kingsport, Tennessee, for a new opportunity in his career as a band director. It was an important step for him and a new chapter for both of us as we began making a home in Northeast Tennessee.

We are enjoying making Kingsport home and getting to know the wider Tri-Cities area. I want to be involved in the community we live in, build relationships and find ways to put my experience to good use.

At home with Tom, Krypto and Chloe.

At home, I love spending time with Tom and our two dogs. Krypto is our golden retriever, and Chloe is our little dog. They are both an important part of our family, and an introduction to me would feel incomplete without mentioning them.

With music such a big part of my life and Tom's work, it is one of the interests that connects different parts of our world. I enjoy supporting what he does while also appreciating the time we get to spend together away from our professional responsibilities.

Music, travel and a little exploring.

I have a huge love of music and enjoy collecting vinyl records. I like making time to listen to an album and continuing to build a collection that reflects what I enjoy. Music is a personal interest that has a place in my life well beyond the workday.

I also love to travel and explore new places. I am especially happy when a trip includes visiting a vineyard, trying a wine I have not had before or getting to know a place a little better.

Finding ways to contribute.

I am drawn to nonprofit and community work because it brings together people who care about something and want to help it succeed. I enjoy being part of that effort, especially when I can help give an idea the structure it needs to grow.

Sometimes that means organizing a process, helping a board work through a question or connecting people who could accomplish something together. I like contributing in practical ways that make it easier for others to do the work they care about.

My career has covered several different areas, but helping people thrive has remained a consistent thread. That is what I hope people understand about me, both professionally and personally: I care about how they are doing, and I want what I bring to be useful.