Mark Burnette, 2009 Honoree
- Title
- Executive director of IT operations & security
- 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."