Name: Kyle Kerrigan (LinkedIn  & Twitter)

Company: Goodwill Central Texas

Role: Business Solutions Development Manager

 

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1. What brought you to Austin and how long have you been here?

 I visited Austin for the first time in October 2014 for both personal and business reasons.  While working for Goodwill—Indianapolis, I toured Goodwill (Austin) and then, “enjoyed” the Ironman 70.3 hosted at the Travis Expo Center.  (Thanks to the bike course, I discovered that Texas is not entirely flat.)

In January 2016 I moved to Austin. I aimed to continue my career in with Goodwill Industries and social enterprise/entrepreneurship, as well as contribute to what I observed during my first visit: a city humming, if not roaring with community and cultural activities, events and causes—the likes of which I had not previously seen.  Take a look at the beauty of how the parks and Colorado River adorn our downtown core—it’s gorgeous.

 

2. How did you get connected to AYC?

I attended the February 2016 State of AYC Luncheon with my Goodwill colleagues. I recall Matt Glazer stating something that is a common refrain in public life (sorry, Matt!): “…this is our time.”  It is one of the few times in my life that I took it seriously—and I’m not alone in that belief.  The Austin deck is stacked in our favor; however, we—young Austinites—have to come to the table and play, so that our voices are heard and interests taken into consideration.  The AYC immediately enabled me to connect with and contribute to our community. 

 

3. What are you involved with in AYC or what is your favorite part of AYC?

I serve as Chair-elect of the Economic Development Committee, a committee I joined shortly after becoming a member.  My favorite part of AYC is that we are providing a voice for members of AYC on public policies, something that few groups actually do.  We are discussing legislation, talking to our elected officials, and educating nearly 600 members and the general public on the importance of these responsibilities.  

 

4. Where can we find you brunching in Austin on any given Saturday?

Snooze is my jam—so long as I have time to wait, it’s worth every penny and then some.  But, if it’s a fall Sunday, I’m headed to Black Sheep Lodge to join my fellow Redskins fans. #HTTR

 

5. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and what would you use it for?

If I could have any superpower?  Could I just be Tony Stark?  I’d settle for him.  He’s a billionaire, genius, playboy, philanthropist.  That’s enough for me.

 

6. If you could have any celebrity live next door to you, who would it be?

Jay-Z.  No (Reasonable) doubt about it.  But, if I could have someone on the other side of the street, too, The Rock/Dwayne Johnson is welcome to move in.

 

7. If you had guests visiting Austin for the weekend, where is the first place you would take them to show them a good time?

Town Lake, for paddle boarding or kayaking.  It’s amazing how calm, serene it is even among the hustle and bustle of downtown.

 

8. If you played hooky for a day, where would we find you and what would you be doing?

How many people are going to see this?

 

9. When people ask you what you do for a living, what do you tell them?

We put people to work.  By partnering with businesses, our team enables people with barriers to employment to (re)start their careers.  My role is to manage our Business Development team, which leads our B2B customer acquisition efforts.  I also identify new markets and business lines in which we should invest resources and then, I develop and implement our preliminary business plans.

 

10. What technology could you not live without?

My iPad.  I start everyday with KUT (NPR) and end every day with a little Netflix.

 

11. Who inspires you?

My college swim coach, Adam Cohen (DePauw University).  He inspires me to serve.  While being our coach, he served as President of the Greencastle City Council, Head of Spiritual Life, and an advisor to a fraternity.  More importantly, the man stays connected at a deep, personal level with more people than anyone I’ve ever met.

 

12. What is your proudest accomplishment?

In 2013, I accepted an invitation to deliver the young alumni address to the incoming class of new students at my alma mater, DePauw University. I was asked to discuss my current position and application of my liberal arts education in fulfilling Goodwill’s mission.  I spoke to over 700 people on the subject and in a “TED Talk” format—a lavalier microphone, no podium, on stage.  It represents one of the most fulfilling and proudest achievements of my career.

 

13. If you couldn’t live in Austin, where would you want to live?

Washington DC

 

14. I want to learn how to…?

Debate.  I know it might seem odd, but it strikes me as fun.

 

15. Pick:
    Soup or Salad? Salad
    Indoors or Outdoors?  Indoors
    Winter or Summer?  Summer
    Tea or Coffee?  COFFEE
    Beer or Wine?  Beer
    Mountains or Beach? Beach