What 34 Charlotte leaders were doing at age 25

There is no blueprint, and that’s what makes it exciting.

Let’s take a look at what a few of our city’s leaders were doing at age 25.

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Dianne Bailey, Attorney, Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson

Job at 25: Assistant Director, Law Annual Fund
Location at 25: Washington, DC

“At 25, I had just graduated from Georgetown University Law Center and was living in Dupont Circle, studying reluctantly for the Bar exam, volunteering with a presidential campaign, eventually returning to Georgetown Law to raise money for the school and later teach on the adjunct faculty, running mile after mile after mile, planning and attending museum young patrons parties, reconnecting with my faith, falling in love with my future husband Brian, and generally having the time of my life!”

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Mark Bruinooge, Founder and Managing Partner, Seismic

Job at 25: Investment Banking Associate
Location at 25: Boston, MA

“Circa 1996. Three years of insane hours, hard work and much fun. Ready for business school? Working on projects related to this new ‘thing’ called the Internet. Convergence, disruption, innovation, application servers, ISPs, Netscape, Yahoo! It was really taking shape. Working with start-ups, meeting new people in the software industry in Boston was invigorating. A mentor advised me to think differently: school will always be there – don’t miss this ‘thing’. No regrets.”

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Jason Carlock, President, Red Ventures Home

Job at 25:  Struggling professional golfer
Location at 25:  Full-time traveling, with a home base in Cape Coral, FL

“At 25, I was chasing a dream… I was living out of a Honda Civic, trying to make a living playing golf. I distinctly remember telling my mom, I want to give this a try, but I will get a real job by the age of 30.  Looking back, dreaming tempered with realism was a good combination for me.”

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Felix Churchill, President, Red Ventures Power

Job at 25: Applications Engineer with Imperial Oil
Location at 25: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

“Learn to be patient. There isn’t a linear relationship between doing the right things, hard work, and success. Be willing to take some risks. I grew up in Canada and studied to be an engineer and I now live in the United States and run a sales and marketing business. That doesn’t happen unless you’re willing to venture out of your comfort zone.”

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Larken Egleston, Chair, Charlotte International Cabinet and On-Premise Specialist for Western NC, Republic National Distributing

Job at 25: Sales Rep for Sparrow & Associates (now part of RNDC) – liquor distribution company
Location at 25: Charlotte, NC

“I was 25 in 2007/2008, had just started my first job in the spirits business, and was in the process of buying my first home in Plaza-Midwood. The two years prior, I had worked for Elevate Magazine and finished my degree at Johnson & Wales University. Elevate gave me the chance to build a solid professional network which still benefits me to this day. I wasn’t making a ton of money at 25, but the work I did then built a foundation for future success.”

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Kent Ellington, Orthopaedic Surgeon, OrthoCarolina

Job at 25: I was 2nd year in medical school at Wake Forest
Location at 25: Winston Salem, NC

“My 17 year journey of education and training to become an orthopaedic surgeon has been rewarding while also challenging. I am where I am because of others. My family and friends have been instrumental in my ability to achieve this career and much more. God has been faithful and His mercy sustains me and my family.”

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Jay Faison, Managing Partner, ClearPath Foundation

Job at 25: Student at Darden (UVA Business School)
Location at 25: Charlottesville, VA

“I loved Darden. A real mind expander. An overused cliche, but it really taught me how to think.”

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Suzie Ford, Owner, NoDa Brewing Company

Job at 25: In operations at a small community bank.
Location at 25: Visalia, CA (in between Fresno & Bakersfield…the San Joaquin Valley)

“At 25, I was living in California, married to my first husband (7 years at that point) and my boys were so little. Seems like yesterday but at the same time, a whole lifetime ago. Good reason to enjoy & savor every moment of life, it goes by way too fast.  As I quickly approach 48 I now know that. At 25, I didn’t.”

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Eric Freedman, Dean, Knight School of Communications (Queens University)

Job at 25: Research Assistant at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (while in graduate school at the University of Southern California)
Location at 25: Los Angeles, CA

“My museum job put me in touch with many art world celebrities (and I had the privilege of giving Madonna and Sandra Bernhard a personal gallery tour). I had several influential mentors at MOCA that shaped my current work ethic. At the same time, my graduate work at USC fueled my investment in civic media. In my twenties, I took in all LA had to offer, which was a fantastic landscape for art, culture and social activism.”

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Sean Garrett, Executive Director, United Way of Central Carolinas

Job at 25: Director, Major Gifts at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago
Location at 25: Chicago, IL

“25 was a fun year for both my wife, Emily, and me. We were living in Chicago, got engaged, and had just started grad school in the evenings. We loved exploring the lakefront, hanging out in Wrigleyville, and learning to play cornhole! That was my first opportunity to manage a large team, and was also where I learned how to get involved in the community from some incredible corporate and nonprofit leaders.”

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Chris Halligan, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Payzer

Job at 25: Computer sales rep
Location at 25: In my cube at Dell HQ in Austin, TX

“I was in the right place at the right time and I knew it. In 1991, there was one PC for every ~ 8 white collar workers in the US. By 1999, that ratio was more like 1-to-1. Working for Michael Dell was one of the best professional experiences I’ve had.”

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Andy Henson, Owner, Angry Ale’s, Southside Charlotte and Four Brothers Properties

Job at 25: Bartender and deli sandwich maker
Location at 25: Washington, DC

“One of best years of my life. Living in DC with friends from college and very little responsibility, I was learning the hospitality business from ground up.”

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Anne Marie Holder, Owner, Spark Strategic Ideas

Job at 25: Account Manager @LKM Advertising Agency
Location at 25: Charlotte, NC

“Life at 25 was a whirlwind. Trying to figure out what it meant to be a grown up. Getting married. Buying our first house. Putting in a ridiculous amount of hours at an ad agency trying to prove myself and learn as much as I could. Traveling every other week to Atlanta for a client. Life was exciting but the days slipped by too fast. My passion for business strategy was just starting to ignite.”

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Jan Ivey, Director of Marketing, Wells Fargo Championship

Job at 25: National Dealer Manger for Message Processing Systems Inc. (MPSI)
Location at 25: Charlotte, NC

“MPSI was a telephony voicemail company here in Charlotte. Yes, that’s all we did was sell voicemail and automated attendant systems using AI technology (artificial intelligence). It was cutting edge at the time! I was the national dealer manager so I worked with all the distributors around the country. Mostly marketing support, brochure ware, training, system delivery and installation scheduling. Heavy focus on customer service. Not much difference than what I’m doing now really, just different industry.”

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Greg Johnson, Founder and Managing Director, Orbital Socket

Job at 25: Account Executive at Saatchi & Saatchi
Location at 25: New York, NY

“It was a good age. I found myself with one of my first dream jobs (I’ve had several, thank God) in a city that I loved. I was drinking from the proverbial marketing firehose working with a client that was and still is one of the best marketers on the planet, Procter & Gamble. It was a great foundation for my marketing career.”

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Steve Justice, Flywheel Trainer and Personal Training Instructor at SmartCore

Job at 25: Offensive Lineman for the Indianapolis Colts
Location at 25: Indianapolis, IN

“At the age of 25 I was blessed to be an ACC Champion, Consensus All American, two time First Team All Conference Offensive Lineman, Jacobs Blocking Trophy Recipient, drafted in the 6th round by the Indianapolis Colts, started an NFL Game, and most importantly married the most beautiful woman in the world!”

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Justin Karas, CEO, Karas Hospitality Inc. and CEO, Karas Properties, LLC (Owner of Charlotte Newk’s)

Job at 25: Campaign Manager of a State Supreme Court Race
Location at 25: Mississippi

“I had worked in politics for several years at that point and was ready to move into the private sector as I felt it gave me the freedom to work in non profit and the political arena which I both enjoyed and felt I could make a difference. I began working under my mentor whom I met at a political reception years before in his businesses helping him manage his assets in everything from ownership in the Martha’s Vineyard Golf Course to over 400,000 acres of timberland in the southeast to apartment/condo conversion projects and hospitality assets. I soon started my own real estate company with my own investors in several states including him and then located to Charlotte and then also added the hospitality arm we have in Charlotte today.”

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Brian Kelly, President, BEK Ventures, LLC and former SVP of Sales & Marketing at Time Warner Cable

Job at 25: I was plying my trade as Advertising Sales Manger (American Cablesytems) for one of the first advertising efforts in the cable industry back in 1984.
Location at 25: We lived in a beautiful city called Newburyport, MA on the Merrimack River.

“Fond memories of breaking new ground in a brand new industry with nothing but blue sky on the horizon. It’s amazing to see how far technology coupled with the amazing effort of so many have taken us.”

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Tim Kullick, President, Red Ventures Fast (Financial services and software)

Job at 25: Had just enrolled at Harvard Business School after finishing a 2-year stint as an analyst with McKinsey & Company
Location at 25: Boston, MA

“I wish I’d known that the internet was going to change literally everything. At 25, while I thought I knew it all, I hadn’t seen enough to really connect the dots and understand the opportunities it was going to create for change and disruption. It took me another 5-7 years to grasp it. Had I realized it then, maybe I’d have joined Red Ventures in 2000 as a founder!”

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Mac Lackey, Entrepreneur and Investor

Job at 25: Founder of my first company (InTouch Interactive). We started it when I was 24, about six months out of college.
Location at 25: Charlotte

“It was not easy starting a tech company in Charlotte at that time as there were few models or examples to follow. We started the company with a $10,000 loan and grew it organically selling it three years later for almost $10 million. Through that process I fell in love with starting and growing companies and have done it ever since.”

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Alexa Long, Assistant Brewer, Heist Brewery

Job at 25: Manager of Beer and Wine Hobbies (local homebrew supply store) then I became Assistant Brewer at Heist Brewery
Location at 25: Southend Charlotte (southend)

“All of my work experience before the age of 25 was in bars and restaurants in the Charlotte area. While I made great money in the industry and learned valuable life skills, this was only temporary. I took a large pay-cut in accepting the position at Beer and Wine Hobbies, which was also only temporary. Ultimately, I knew the position would eventually lead to what I really wanted — a professional brewing job. I homebrewed weekly, volunteered at a local brewery, and learned a lot about brewing ingredients and techniques during my time there. Oh yeah — I also drank lots and lots of craft beer. Market research? After a year at Beer and Wine Hobbies, I landed my amazing job as Assistant Brewer at Heist Brewery and couldn’t be happier!”

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David Oakley, President and Creative Director, BooneOakley

Job at 25: Not sure yet. I turn 25 next year. JK…I was a junior copywriter at Young & Rubicam, a 1400-person advertising agency.
Location at 25: New York, NY

“I went to New York for a post-college visit and lived without a car and Bojangles’ for 7 years. I attended a Dwight Yoakum concert at Irving Plaza on my 25th birthday. Still the best show I’ve ever seen.”

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Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist at WCNC

Job at 25: Chief Meteorologist at WGKI FOX-TV
Location at 25: Traverse City, MI

“At 25 I really was just focused on my career and enjoying life. Looking back, it was truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever lived. It just wasn’t the greatest place to be a single 25 year old.”

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Susan Patterson, Program Director, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Job at 25: Newspaper copy editor
Location at 25: Charlotte

“I was working at the afternoon newspaper, The Charlotte News, editing stories, writing headlines and making them all fit like pieces of a puzzle on a page (something we now call page design). I learned to drink coffee, write (and think) on deadline, to follow state and local policy and politics, and to enjoy beer, especially on quarter beer night at the old Charlotte O’s ballpark in Dilworth.”

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Bob Peters, Head Mixologist, The Punch Room

Job at 25: I was bartending at some of Charlotte’s busiest, most happening bars. Thomas St Tavern and Tutto Mundo’s were in full swing.
Location at 25: Charlotte

“I knew then that it was very important to set up my reputation as a very strong and dependable worker.  That is the basis for a great career in any field.  There is nothing better than being known for your incredible work ethic.”

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Bernie Petit, Communications Manager, Arts & Science Council

Job at 25: Reporter at The Charlotte Observer
Location at 25: Gastonia

“Twenty-five was such a pivotal time in my life. I met my future wife and went to work at The Charlotte Observer. While working in the newspaper’s Gaston bureau, I discovered my passion for finding and telling stories that might otherwise go unheard. I considered it a way to build community, and that community-focused component of my job resonated with me. It’s since become what drives and motivates me in my professional and personal lives.”

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Blair Primis, Vice President of Marketing, OrthoCarolina

Job at 25: Media Planner at McKinney & Silver
Location at 25: Raleigh, NC

“Looking back on my journey, I’m fortunate to have been exposed to virtually every industry and varied types of marketing departments. This experiential learning has defined me as a marketer.”

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Derek Raghavan, President, Levine Cancer Institute, Carolinas HealthCare System

Job at 25: Intern at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Location at 25: Sydney, Australia

“At 25, I wanted to be a physician practicing in some branch of internal medicine, perhaps clinical immunology. I was working hard to become the hospital squash champion and to avoid falling asleep at work in our 100 hour duty and on-call work schedule. I also planned to avoid the conservatism of the old geezers who ran my life. I looked forward to having loads of spare time when I would become a boss…Gee was I wrong about that!”

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Dan Roselli, Entrepreneur and Co-Founder at Packard Place

Job at 15: Marketing Manger of Colgate Palmolive
Location at 25: New York, NY. My window office on Park Avenue looking at the Waldorf Astoria.

“I came from a different generation. How big of a job could I get as fast as I can. But my pedigree has served me well even as an entrepreneur, General Mills, Colgate Palmolive, M&M Mars and BofA. To this day, I’m the youngest member in the history of the BofA Operating Committee. That’s some crazy stuff.”

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Torrie Savage, Founder, #thesavageway

Job at 25: Advertising Manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Location at 25: Charlotte

“Ask Questions. Be grateful. Trust your gut. Go above and beyond. Always push your boundaries. Pray.”

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Steve Sibley, President, Red Ventures Movers

Job at 25: Analyst at Capital One
Location at 25: Boston, MA

“Twenty-five was a great time to take chances. I changed jobs in the middle of the year, which led to a whole new set of professional experiences and more importantly, a job where I met my future wife. Don’t worry so much about having a long term plan. Suck the most out of every experience. Figure out what you like and don’t like. You’ll appreciate that investment when you are 40.”

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Charles Thomas, Executive Director, Queen City Forward

Job at 25: Andersen Consulting & Sankofa Photography
Location: Charlotte

“At age 25, a friend of mine asked me if I had six months to live what would I do. The first thought to enter my mind…quit my job. I left my consulting job of 3 years with a dream of growing my hair long and becoming a bartender in Jamaica. I graduated from bartending school top of my class and landed a primo job with an Italian restaurant, which I quit before ever starting because the idea of serving alcohol at high speeds totally stressed me out. I volunteered at the Urban League and took a position as a 5th grade assistant teacher while taking photography class at CPCC. By the end of the semester and before my 26th birthday, I started my first business Sankofa Photography and pitched a photography program for kids to Community School of the Arts. I did grow my hair long and traveled to Jamaica twice but not as a bartender.”

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Martha Whitecotton, Vice President of Behavioral Health Services, Carolinas HealthCare System

Job at 25: Nurse & grad student
Location at 25: Amarillo, TX

“Small town girl with big world view; overly serious and achievement driven. Married, baby #2; working (ambulance riding Neonatal ICU nurse), studying (4.0 GPA grad student); teaching Sunday school. Curious (essential life skill) about everything I didn’t yet know or understand; no computer or internet. Young politics lovin’ Republican; volunteering locally for senatorial and presidential elections. Serious potential as a lobbyist. Surviving crazy family. Self-esteem should have been better. Mad Texas love (hadn’t met Charlotte).”