Company: Money Pages & 3D Digital
Title: President & CEO
Favorite College Team: Tennessee Volunteers & Florida State University
Gator Bowl Sports Membership Level: Chairman’s Club Member + Chair-Elect
How many years have you been associated with Gator Bowl Sports: At least 14 years
Favorite aspect of being involved with Gator Bowl Sports: Seeing how much it has grown through the years and how much it has truly given back to the community in so many different ways. The focus on community initiatives means a lot to me because you can see the impact of the game all year long. One of my highlights, which at first, I was really nervous about it because of the time commitment, was when I was originally asked to be on the Scholarship Committee. After the first year I was hooked I have been on the Scholarship Selection committee ever since. I thoroughly enjoy reading about those kids and what they have accomplished in their four years of high school. It’s refreshing to see the hard work that these students put in to not only their curriculum, but also to their communities and to their churches. You can tell that they go above and beyond. They all seem like all around good students who are deserving of the scholarship.
Favorite TaxSlayer Gator Bowl memory: I always enjoy game day! Just the experience with the green jackets is always a fun time. It is a big deal for our family because we make it a family event and it’s been that way for years. It’s the one time we can all get together and go to the game and that’s been pretty special. We appreciate the brunch, and the year that Tennessee was here was a big time for us, being Vols fans, and my wife graduated from Tennessee. We were also able to meet Coach Phil Fulmer at the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Member Holiday Party, so that was pretty incredible.
Favorite genres of music: I really like country music and I would say my favorite country music artist right now is Morgan Wallen. It’s super chill and I can just kick that music on and be good to go. It’s good vibes and I enjoy listening to it out on the golf course as well.
Do you listen to country in the gym as well or what is on your gym playlist?: No, actually that’s interesting, on my gym playlist, sometimes I listen to what they have going on in the gym for starters, but I would say it is more rap or Skrillex. It has to be more upbeat because I am ready to go at that point. That’s funny you say that, because I don’t even listen to country on the way to the gym or on the way home.
A.M. or P.M. Workout?: A.M. 5:14. That’s what time I get up. I can’t do it in the afternoon. If I miss my workout in the morning, I just won’t workout.
Is there a specific reason for 5:14 A.M.?: It just sticks out in my mind and it’s just something different, I didn’t want it to be 5:15.
Favorite Sports film: The Blind Side. I have a lot of them, but The Blind Side is one of my favorites.
Is there a piece of advice you received in your life that you cling to?: Yes, a few things. Number one is dream big. Another piece of advice that has stuck with me is start out the way that you can hold out. I want to give 110% of whatever I put my time into, so it’s important to put that effort in at the beginning and stay consistent, and only commit to things that you are willing stick with and have a vision for.
Is there something that you would want a young professional reading this to know in order to work towards success?: My advice is don’t be afraid to make mistakes. There will always be bumps and bruises along the way, but every time you make a mistake is when you are truly learning. I think so many people are so risk-adverse when it comes to making decisions that they go the safe route to avoid mistakes, but if they truly look at it and embrace it, making missteps along the way just helps you grow. That has helped me so much in my career, if it wasn’t for the mistakes I made, I wouldn’t have been able to scale how we have so far.
What has been something that has been valuable for you and your success?: Faith has played a large role in my success. My mom always told me to seek God’s support through every trial. My favorite verse is, “I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength” and I always keep that in the forefront of my mind. It is also important who you surround yourself with, and I have been blessed with a very good group of people that are accountability partners and friends. It has been an amazing journey, but I couldn’t have done any of it without God blessing it. I also couldn’t have done any of it without the support and encouragement from my family. When my wife Kristin and I started, she stayed at the radio station for the first few years and everything she touched turned to gold and I went from primary breadwinner to no breadwinner for the first two years. I have a 27-year-old daughter Megan living in Atlanta, a soon to be 21-year-old daughter Madison attending Florida State University, and a 17-year-old son Braxton who goes to Ponte Vedra High School. My business has grown more than I ever thought it would. I always knew I wanted to be a key player in the media space in Jacksonville, but we have expanded our territory to eight states now and that is mind-boggling to me.
Back to music…What would your walk-up song be?: I Made It (Cash Money Heroes) – Kevin Rudolph. I’m going to tell you, when I listen to that song, that is one that I will hit repeat a couple of times and I am flying down the road, it just makes you want to drive fast.
Tell us a fun fact not many people know about you: Kristin and I have started making candles. So, I have learned, researched, and perfected if you will, cutting a wine bottle and splitting it. I have a special wax that we like that is scented and so if there’s a special bottle of wine we’ll share and I’ll take it and then make it into a candle.
