How long have you been with TPA?
Since ‘97, but I’ve been at UT since ‘92.
What does your position entail?
All human resource related functions; building access authorizations; drivers training and authorization for all UT vehicles; key issuance and authorization.
What is your favorite part of working at TPA?
The energy the students bring to the work environment. You can’t find anything like it anyplace else.
Why are the performing arts important to you?
It brings culture to our society. I wasn’t cultured until I started working here. I always tell people that I grew up in ballparks and gymnasiums. The closest thing I ever got to the performing arts was a Led Zeppelin concert in college. So when I came to TPA, it was a totally new experience.
Is there a particular TPA performance that made an impact on you?
Ethan Lipton’s No Place to Go. [The production performed by Ethan Lipton and his orchestra is described as a “musical ode to the unemployed.”] The thing I liked about it was that it was totally different from anything I’d ever experienced.
After noticing the various rhino figurines in Warren’s office. Can you tell me about all the rhinos?
It goes back to 6th grade art class. We had to draw an animal but it couldn’t be a fantasy animal like a unicorn or an extinct animal like a dinosaur. At the time, I wanted to be a paleontologist so I loved dinosaurs. So I thought to myself, “What animal looks most like a dinosaur?” and I came up with a rhinoceros. So I drew that and I got an A on it. And it triggered my curiosity about rhinos and people started giving me rhinos!