CC: What is the best thing about Cleveland?
JT: Its people and location. There are so many different backgrounds, ethnicity, and cultures in Cleveland; it's not a homogenous town. You're always able to learn and experience something out of the ordinary. The location is awesome, we live next to one of the largest fresh bodies of water in the U.S. We've short drives to many major cities in the same state and outside of it as well, yet we're close enough to drive into the country, too.
CC: The worst thing?
JT: The artificial division and lack of unity that "Clevelanders" display. East vs. West is BS. I'm sick of people never leaving their suburbs and exploring other suburbs, other sides of town, or even Cleveland itself. When someone asks where you're from you shouldn't say "I'm from Suburb X, it's outside of Cleveland." Guess what folks, that person who asked you has never heard of Suburb X, but they have heard of Cleveland. Few people from Denver, Chicago, New York, Seattle, etc. I've met have ever bothered telling me about their suburb. They're proud of the large metropolitan city they live near and will tell you about it. Why can't we?
CC: What does Cleveland have that no other place has?
JT: Cleveland has big city perks with small town ambiance. You can make it to almost any side of town in roughly 30 minutes or so. Rush hour is nothing compared to other major cities.
CC: What does Cleveland have to do to make itself indispensable in the 21st Century?
JT: Continue to diversify its industries and offerings. We will not and should not rely on one or two industries to help Cleveland make its mark in the 21st century. We need manufacturing, biotech, transportation, health care, technology and the countless other industries to play a part in the city's business comeback, not just one or two. In the same breath, we still need to attract new people to the region, whether they are immigrating from other countries or moving in from other areas of the country. New blood brings new skills and the ability to strengthen multiple areas of business and culture.
CC: What does Cleveland have to stop doing?
JT: Cleveland has to stop talking, meeting, and discussing....START DOING. Make decisions, even if they may turn out to be wrong, it's better than the state of indecision where nothing positive can come from.
CC: What has been your greatest contribution to this region?
JT: thunder::tech has been able to grow from one employee to 10 over a relatively short period of time, hire talented individuals and keep college graduates in the region, while also hiring and recruiting team members from outside the region as well. thunder::tech is also very proud of several civic projects it's involved with, such as www.Cleveland Intern?.net and www.Cleveland Nights?.com.
CC: What do you want to be remembered for when you're gone?
JT: Helping people.
CC: Cleveland is not a town that celebrates failures, but maybe it should. What was your biggest "failure" and what did you learn from it?
JT: Failures happen and are alright, especially in a creative culture, but need to be learned from, not necessarily celebrated. My biggest failure, in a twisted sense, is not following societal norms with my career decision. Instead of following a Big 5 consultancy position, I gave it up and followed my gut and heart instead of "what was recommended" and continue to do so within how we are growing thunder::tech. So, to some, especially in the beginning, my initial decisions could be looked at as destined for failure.
CC: Who do you look up to?
JT: My parents.
CC: Do you have a motto?
JT: Get busy living or get busy dying.
CC: What's the best advice you've been offered?
JT: Love life and never be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
CC: Where are you most likely to hang out in Cleveland?
JT: I'm likely to be found anywhere my friends are. This can be Downtown, Ohio City (where I live), Tremont, Lakewood, Strongsville (where I'm from), the Heights, around JCU and Coventry.
CC: Least likely?
JT: There is not an area of town that I have not hung out in, eaten or drank in.
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