Class of 2009 Yearbook: The Honorees

Employer: Gaylord Entertainment Co.

LOCATION: Nashville

First job: "Selling Cokes in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., for University of Tennessee Vols games."

Most valuable career advice: "Remember that we're all free agents."

What do you love about IT? "IT is so dynamic. It's hard to get bored because things are different every day."

Best mentoring relationship: "I'm proud to say my children."

Favorite gadget: "My HD DVR. My household wears one out about every three months. The local cable company knows us on a first-name basis."

Your recreational best: "I kicked a 55-yard field goal in both high-school and college scrimmages."

What's in your MP3 player? "Lots of classic rock: The Eagles, Styx, Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd."

Favorite ice cream flavor: "Anything with caramel in or on it. You could put caramel on dirt and I would eat it..."

Favorite TV show: Coach

What about you would surprise the people who you work with? "I've sung the National Anthem for an Atlanta Hawks NBA basketball game twice."

Leadership philosophy in a nutshell: "My favorite part of leadership is giving employees the tools, direction and support to succeed and then celebrating with them when they do."