I was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky, surrounded by beautiful horse farms, great basketball teams, and the country’s finest Bourbon. For almost all of my first 27+ years of life, Lexington was my home – from elementary to high school, college and grad school, and my first adult job (with IBM) in between – and my heart is still in the Bluegrass. I’m a Kentucky boy.
But I’ve now reached a point in my life where I’ve lived in Atlanta more than any other place. After meeting in Nashville, where we both had moved for job opportunities, my then fiancee Caroline and I moved to the A-T-L in 1998 when she started the MBA at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University. She graduated in 2000 and we were married that summer. We built and moved into our first house in 2001. And, in 2002, we started our family with the birth of our oldest daughter Lindsay. Just a few years later, in 2005, our daughter Claire was born. Both of our daughters lived their entire young lives in that same suburban home. They are Georgia girls.
Here is something everyone needs to know: Atlanta is very special place.
There is an amazing mashup of diversity, creativity, and ambition in this city that unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. This is of course largely due to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Representative John Lewis, Ambassador Andrew Young, President Jimmy Carter, and many other pioneers in civil and human rights. Even in today’s troubling times, the heart and message of these inspiring leaders still rings true. But Atlanta’s unique energy is also fueled in other ways.
Atlanta’s ethnic diversity is pervasive and truly beautiful. Seemingly every business or social gathering includes Black and Brown people. Mixed in with the proud (but somewhat rare) lifelong citizens of Atlanta are those who have settled here from all over the country and around the globe. Southern hospitality in a truly international city.
The ambition, innovation, and business success of Atlanta is also notable. The city always seems to find a path to growth and prosperity. There remains a significant challenge with the disparity between the “have’s” and “have not’s” but I find optimism in the amazing nonprofit organizations and civic leaders in Atlanta that are working to uplift people and broaden access to opportunity for all.
Further, Atlanta’s cultural impact is undeniable – from professional athletics, to social justice, to the creative arts. Recent years have served as a boom for the creative industries in Atlanta, including music and film. Georgia is increasingly becoming a major film production hub, competing with California’s traditional dominance. (You’re right, Bem Joiner – Atlanta does Influence Everything.)
And all of these things, along with a reasonable cost of living, nice weather, an excellent quality of life, all contribute to Atlanta being a wonderful place to live and build a career. The city has been good to me and my family, and thus I’m inspired to make my own contributions.
I’m excited to be working again on Fintech South, the largest financial technology event in the Southeast US – and stay tuned for announcements on the launch of NOW South Festival, a brand new event that will showcase integrate the culture of Atlanta in a really special way.
Yes, this Kentucky boy truly has a second home. I’ve fallen in love with the city of Atlanta.