What New Orleans neighborhood do you live in? / Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Atlanta, but New Orleans is home. I have lived in this city and the area for the majority of my life since I came down here in 1993 to work as a sportswriter at the Times-Picayune. Although I have lived other places, this city is unique. I love its soul and its people. And through my travels I have come to learn that people in other places love the soul of New Orleans as well. When I worked as the Night Editor at the Provo (Utah) Daily Herald my co-workers always asked me about living in the city and the food and customs. This is a special place.
Describe your job to us!
I do some of everything, and I like it. Work as an administrative assistant doing various duties such as scheduling. I work on our weekly newsletter. I also do constituent services. I like the constituent services part the best, because I like trying to help people get the help they are seeking at their times of need.
Tell us about your career path.
I don't know about a career path. I'm too old to have that again. I just believe in this city. I work with some great professionals, and I am very thankful to God for my job. I once told a constituent: "I usually don't try to speak for everybody at City Hall, but I will in this sense: Everyone I work with cares about the City of New Orleans and wants to do everything they can to make it great and help with its citizens."
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
When I can help someone, and someone thanks me for helping them, that's my reward.
What challenges do you find to be the greatest in your role?
The most challenging things are the situations when I can't provide immediate help for people, but that is rare.
What is your favorite thing about New Orleans?
I love the soul of New Orleans. It's families in neighborhoods celebrating Mardi Gras. It's people living and dying on the results of a New Orleans Saints football game. It's family gatherings with relatives in Gentilly eating boiled shrimp and crawfish and enjoying being with your people. It's driving through the French Quarter and seeing people lined up on the sidewalk to get to Cafe' Du Monde. It's people loving life and having the resilience to come back and rebuild after storms. There is no other place like it.