I started playing the trumpet in 7th grade and auditioned for the Palm Beach County School of the Arts music program my 10th grade year. I was accepted and became a member of the first graduating class. Music, especially classical, is a huge, God-given passion of mine. Because I attended the School of the Arts, I have had many wonderful experiences in music. I have been privileged to play for a number of famous people, a few professional orchestras and jazz bands and for my home church.
I loved music so much that I thought it was what God wanted me to do with my life, so I went to college for music. Well, sort of. I knew that music really wasn't going to pay much so I decided to try for a minor in business. I found out about Anderson University's Music Business program and, at the time, thought that it was interesting how God showed me a program that combined the two fields of study that I was interested in. So, off to Anderson, Indiana I went.
College was definitely a learning experience. Classes like philosophy and psychology really opened me up to questions that I didn't even know were out there to ask. God was good to me and kept me sane, though. The unanswerable questions just drew me closer to Him. I ended up changing majors after two and a half years in the Music Business program. Under what I thought was God's direction, of course.
As a new Communications Major with an emphasis in Broadcasting, I picked up television and radio pretty quickly. I was a DJ for the school's radio station for three semesters and I worked with the school's video production company, Covenant Productions, as well. While at Covenant Productions, I was privileged to work on eight of Bill and Gloria Gaither's Homecoming videos. What a blessing it was to be a part of that ministry for the small amount that I was.
Even though I thought my life was going in the right direction, after four and a half years, and without a degree, I ran out of money and decided to move to Atlanta, Georgia. My aunt and uncle here in Atlanta let me live with them until I was able to financially afford living on my own. Yet another blessing. Even though I had no clue why I had to learn the things I did in college the hard way and leave without a degree, I had a peace about being in Atlanta.
I worked for my aunt and uncle for a year, got on my feet financially and was able to move into a house with two other guys from church. I bought a new truck and was having a wonderful time hanging out with the Singles group from my church. Even more blessings.
I had to change jobs in February of 1999 and God blessed again with a job at an Optometrist's office. It wasn't exactly what I thought I'd be doing, but I was thankful for the job. After a week of being there, one of the opticians put her two week notice in and the doctor liked me enough to ask me if I wanted to learn the trade. So, I did. I replaced two and a half years of experience in two weeks time. Not too successfully at first, but after a couple of months, I got the hang of being an optician. It was a fun job.
For six months I worked as a non-licensed optician and enjoyed every minute of it. In September of 2000 I got a job at IBM and continued to work there until December 2001. In March of 2002, I began working for E.H. Sellars Goodyear. I was the assistant store manager for two years. I now know more about cars and tires than I ever thought I would, but it was a great place to work.
I finally met the love of my life. I met her at church. She is absolutely wonderful. She's everything I always wanted and everything I thought I'd never get. God has truly blessed. We started dating in June of 2001, were engaged on October 19, 2001 and were married on January 26, 2002. Yes, it was a quick engagement, but its a long story and it really just boils down to the fact that "God's gonna do what He's gonna do."
We bought our first house in September of 2002 and spent some time renovating it to our liking. After almost three years there, we sold and bought a new house in Canton, Georgia. There are some pictures of the new house on our home page.
In October of 2004, I applied for a Management Training position with Southtrust Bank. After my first interview they scheduled a second interview over the phone. After that I was called back for a third interview - this time in front of a panel of five senior bank executives. I haven't been so nervous in my life. But that must not have shown because, even with no banking experience, I was offered the job. Out of 250 applicants, there were only nine of us that were selected. I couldn't believe it. I had no idea what I was supposed to do as a banker, but God had a plan.
I spent nine months training in every area of the bank. I loved it. For someone with no banking experience this was the best training you could have asked for. After six months in training it was announced that Southtrust Bank was being bought by Wachovia Bank. That was a little stressful. I was learning how one bank did things and then had to learn how another did things at the same time - all while actually doing things the Southtrust way.
After my nine month training was over, I was placed as Assistant Branch Manager in Sandy Springs, Georgia. I loved helping people with their finances and banking. About three months before the merger actually went into effect, I was asked to be the Branch Manager of a branch being closed due to the merger. I thankfully accepted the job looking for any opportunity to shine and stand out in the new behemoth of a company. It was a great experience and ended up back in Sandy Springs as the Branch Manager since the Branch Manager I worked under just three months before decided to take a different position. It was the most challenging job I had ever taken.
In December of 2005, one of my employees decided to take a job at a startup bank in Dunwoody, Georgia, working with some of the former Southtrust Atlanta executives that did not want to stay with Wachovia after the merger. They were starting their own bank and it was extremely interesting to me. So I applied and was offered a job with them. I started in January of 2006 with Signature Bank of Georgia as a Personal Banker.
With a smaller customer base I felt like I was able to be more personally involved with my clients. I thrived. I'm such a people person that this really seemed to fit me like a glove. My computer skills became useful as well.
I wasn't really looking for another job but in December of 2006 one of my customers approached me about coming on board with him at his new company. I was a little leary at first but excited too because it was a job that would incorporate just about everthing I enjoyed: cars, computers, finance, and people. It was really a dream job. And a ground level opportunity at that.
As of today, September 3, 2007, I am the General Manager of Auto Metal Direct. We make and sell sheetmetal and glass for 60's and 70's GM and Mopar muscle cars. I love my job and am excited about the future of this company.
Kelly is still working at Marietta Surgical Center as an outpatient surgery nurse.
In May of this year, we found out that we will be first time parents. We are extremely excited. We have been married for five and a half years and are ready for this new adventure. Ethan James is expected to be here on January 14, 2008 and we can't wait.
Feel free to email us. Our email address is [email protected].
Take care!