UNCW Swimming & Diving Class of 2015
Events: 50 Free, 100 Free, 100 Breaststroke
Degree: Broadcast and Multimedia Journalism
Profession: Vice President of Sales at Salesforce
Current residence: London County, Virginia
What is your favorite memory of being part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program?
Team culture – extremely tight knit, in and out of the pool. Everyone had a common goal and worked endlessly towards keeping that streak alive, but found just as much fun in the journey as the destination.
How has your experience as part of UNCW’s Swimming & Diving program impacted or influenced your life?
I learned a ton from the coaching staff that I cary with me. Coach Allen taught me what it meant to do well and do good – you can be a great person and achieve great results at the same time. Coach Dan Forrester taught me to enjoy the intricate moments – embrace the pain (a few pukes in the trash can to prove it), enjoy the competition and believe in a plan.
What have you been up to since your days on the UNCW pool deck?
Keeping up with my two wonderful daughters and amazing wife. They’re my purpose and my drive, they’re my new “team”. I’ve channeled my competitive energy into work where I lead our Life Sciences business at Salesforce, as well as desperately trying to get better at golf….if anyone wants to tee it up, let’s make it happen.
Favorite stomping grounds from your time at UNCW?
Hillsdale Ave IYKYK…amazing memories up and down that street.
Favorite UNCW Swimming & Diving slogan or cheer?
Not a specific cheer, but the run out of the team room. You enter that room as individuals coming off warm-uos, you leave as a cohesive unit, one team both men and women with a common goal.
Parting advice for current UNCW Swimmers and Divers and/or recent alumni?
You’re more equipped for the “real world” than you can even imagine. You’ve literally spent thousands upon thousands of hours starring at that black line on the bottom of the pool, going back and forth over and over again. You train all year for tenths of a second – you understand what it means to put in the work when no one is watching. So, take that energy and channel it into whatever is next – the road will be unpredictable and challenging, but swimmers are built for it. We’re the ones who fight the tides of life and make it through it…