I love this job. As a Building Inspector, my primary function is performing various inspections to ensure buildings meet minimum structural and safety requirements set forth in the code. I must maintain a thorough knowledge of the code, and how and when to appropriately apply it. This includes obtaining the necessary certifications and CEUs. I am a big believer in constantly educating myself and trying to learn everything possible about my work. I also believe that favorably representing the City of Hoover to the public and contractors is equally important to being certified, if not more so. It is important to me to be positive, helpful, and informative. Operating a city vehicle is another responsibility that I take very seriously. As a former school bus driver, I am acutely aware that everyone notices our nice Hoover work trucks, and during these unusual times, even more people are at home seeing us everyday. This is another opportunity for me to represent the city well. My favorite part of the job is helping people. I love it when someone asks me a code question, or calls me with a construction question. It is another occasion for me to positively influence the city that blessed me with my job.

This was the most fulfilling position I've ever had. The facilities are utilized to their fullest potential, and I was charged with supporting the mission of the church and its ministries by ensuring the overall successful operation of the buildings, grounds, and facility personnel. I oversaw all systems, service contracts, inspections, event setups, supplies, and maintenance and custodial services related to the church’s property. I know how to stay under budget and find smart ways to save money. In just my first year I slashed energy costs by more than 25 percent, formulated a comprehensive HVAC preventative maintenance and replacement plan, and began a 3-year LED lighting retrofit plan. In my second year I carved a total of 20 percent off of the budgets I manage. By the time I left I had completed major roof and parking lot renovations. I supported my facility staff, which means I was happy to roll up my sleeves and pitch in. I had my own personal criteria for prioritizing tasks based on work experience and research that helped me ensure issues were addressed appropriately. I believed it was important to not only communicate, but educate other staff and church members on the facility issues facing the church. I was a member of NACFM. My highest goal was to always be a responsible steward of the offerings given by the church, and to make sure those dollars were multiplied.

There is precious little prestige or praise that comes with driving a bus, but nothing will teach you more patience and humility; two virtues in short supply these days. As a bus driver for Shelby County Schools, my job was to provide students with safe, punctual, and consistent transportation. I took my responsibility very seriously. I worked with school administrators, students, and their parents. It was important for me to maintain a professional appearance and appropriate communication with faculty and students. I performed daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections, regular reports, and emergency evacuation drills. I mentored new drivers, and the route information I recorded has been used for instructional purposes in new driver classes. At Shelby County Schools, I worked with some top-notch drivers and learned from the very best.

My time as a Country Strategist for Kyrgyzstan stretched and molded me into the man I am now. It was a new position at e3 Partners, and there was very little training for it at the time so learning on the fly was a must. It was an unusual mixture of immense personal effort, and complete dependence on God. I spent two solid years conducting research and mobilizing prayer volunteers alone. I participated in international forums and conferences to build up a Central Asian network from scratch. I worked with those in-country contacts and NGOs to put together e3 Partner’s first exploratory scout trip to Kyrgyzstan. My background in strategic planning was developed and refined during those years.

Building is in my family’s blood. A friend and me began Shoal Creek Building Services with nothing more than an air compressor and a nail gun. We worked our way up from small jobs (like building a flower planter) to getting our homebuilder’s license, and eventually our general contractor’s license. I was involved in every phase of construction, from permits to punchlist. I spent most of my time working as Superintendent – figuring cost breakdowns and formulating budgets; lining up subcontractors and scheduling work; putting together bids and negotiating contracts; and overseeing all phases of construction. I loved taking on projects that our competitors wouldn’t take, and I prided myself in customer service and satisfaction.

I never gained such an appreciation for different people of all ages and backgrounds as I did during my time as Interim Student Pastor. Going into it I naively assumed I would pretty much work solely with the church’s youth. Early on I found myself working closely with not only the students, but their parents and siblings, the church staff, school teachers, speakers, missionaries, and so on. I learned how to connect with individuals on their ground. Many confirmed that I had a gift for teaching, and I felt it to be truest when teaching pure Bible study to small groups and training volunteers. During this time I developed a passion for missions, but I also learned a lot of practical lessons about communicating clearly, listening, and humility.