What’s the top factor that has allowed you to have a successful career? I have been surrounded by great people my entire career. The people in my life are my important assets.
What was the most pivotal moment in your career? What happened and how did you respond? The most pivotal moment in my career was navigating our company through the pandemic and civil unrest, dealing with major road construction that affected our Uptown location and could have shut us down and opening a second location all within the same time frame. With the road construction and the pandemic at Uptown, we had to quickly turn our focus on catering and the food trucks. Our Uptown location kind of became our commissary kitchen instead of a restaurant. We developed great partnerships with a few nonprofits to cater the hospitals during the pandemic.
What’s an interesting fact about you most people don’t know? I love a good cigar.
What are you most proud of in your career? I’m most proud of where we are right now. We are still having hiring issues, and we are still seeing pandemic issues, but it’s still a blessing to be able to continue to do what we do.
What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is when someone does not use a plastic spatula in a restaurant! As a young line cook, a chef told me, “If you watch your pennies, your dollars will watch themselves.” I still live by that quote.
What do you do outside of the office? What are your top hobbies? My wife would say my top hobbies include watching SportsCenter loop! I love watching football and basketball. I love cooking for friends and family.
What’s your sales pitch for why someone should move to metro Birmingham? It’s the perfect market to start a business. The business ecosystem and the city of Birmingham are intentional about helping small businesses. It’s an affordable city to live in and a great city to raise a family in.
What does Birmingham need to succeed in the coming years? Birmingham needs to continue to elect great leadership. What I have seen in the last four years has been impressive. I hope we keep the momentum going.
What do you see on the horizon economically for your business in 2022? I’m looking forward to 2022 being our best year yet. Our Hoover location has been open for a year, and I’m looking forward to seeing those sales grow as we become more efficient. The City Walk, Protective Stadium, Legacy Arena, UAB football, the Squadron, the World Games and so many other events are huge for our Uptown location. Our food truck will continue to thrive in the metro areas, and we have found success in Bryant-Denny and the Coleman Coliseum.
Is there an industry or sector that will propel Birmingham in the coming years? I think major league sports will take Birmingham to the next level.
When I moved here in 2010, the Baron’s were the only minor league team we had, I think? Now, we have minor league soccer and basketball. The major sports are soon to follow once people see how Birmingham embraces and supports its teams and major sporting events.
If you were CEO of Birmingham, what one change would you make to the metro area? If I was the CEO of Birmingham, I would require a financial literacy course be taught in high schools.
What is your go-to restaurant when taking clients out for a meal? Of course my go-to restaurant is, of course, Eugene’s but I would also choose Blue Pacific in Hoover and Dos Hermanos food truck on 1st Avenue. I’m the CEO that you will sit on the curb and eat tacos with you.
How do you think the Covid-19 pandemic will impact workforce development efforts in Birmingham? Covid-19 pandemic is hindering workforce development in every way possible. As the labor market tightens and wages rise, it’s forcing companies to find people that are ready on day one versus developing them on the job.
What do you think is the key ingredient for the region’s efforts to address workforce development? A key ingredient for the region‘s to address workforce development is partnerships with employers. If the region can give some type of wage debate that would be huge for development.