This is the second in a new series of articles introducing readers to the people who live around them.
1. Name & occupation? Jerri Glover, Realtor, Auctioneer, Startup Marketing Specialist
2. What led you to Amarillo? My husband, Bill and I had an internet startup we began in Northern California (we had lived there for 7 years). We decided to step off and work on the startup together full time. We could, at that point, live anywhere. Bill grew up here and his family was here. With the cost of living being so much less expensive, we decided it would be a good place to launch the startup. Discovering the West Texas A&M Enterprise Center here, it sealed the deal for the move.
3. How long have you been here? 2.5 years
4. What is a memory you have about the region that is no longer here? Hastings—When Bill and I would visit and when we first moved here, we would spend a lot of time at Hastings coffee shop using the Wi-Fi to work and enjoying a new book on occasion.
5. What are some events that happened in your life that made you who you are? This is a long list, but the first was the death of my father when I was 4 years old. This caused my mother to sink into a deep depression which plagued her throughout her life. We struggled financially and I began working at age 12. I worked throughout school including two jobs my senior year. This taught me great work ethics and to appreciate all I have. I spent 15 years married to an Air Force member. Traveling, working with the Military Personnel and being exposed to a number of cultures worldwide impacted how I see people and the world as a whole. It gave me a greater understanding and appreciation for people and our differences.
6. Where would you spend all your time if you could? If I could afford it, I would spend all of my time volunteering. I love to help people and spend energy on causes that are important to me and the future of my community.
7. Do you volunteer or sit on a board? Is yes where? If no where would you want to? I do quite a bit of volunteer work for various causes and organizations. I am a member of Indivisible Amarillo, Potter-Randall Democratic Club, I am President of the Board for Haven Health Clinic and I have contributed meals for Amarillo Brown Bag Runs. I also help with Amarillo Tech Meetup along with my husband. I am a Toastmaster. I also spend time helping with political campaigns for local candidates, state level candidates, national candidates as well as candidates in our former town of Grass Valley, CA.
8. What are you most passionate about? Making a difference. I believe that change begins with me and in my community. If I want to see change, it is up to me to lead toward that change.
9. What is the strangest thing you've ever come across? I saw some pretty interesting things in Japan— like underwear for sale in vending machines and people dressed up in costumes to go to Hirajuku. But what I find most strange are people who have no compassion for others.
10. What do you wish Amarillo had or did not have? I wish Amarillo had more jobs in the tech field. We have an extraordinary amount of talent here and are educating our young people at AC and WTAMU, but have few jobs for them to occupy. If we want to move Amarillo forward, I feel as though we need to focus on changing this.
11. What direction do you think Amarillo is headed? That is a tough one. I feel like Amarillo has the opportunity to really move into a space where they can be a leader in the state for innovation. However, current leadership seems intent on establishing Amarillo as a tourist and entertainment center. This concerns me because in times of economic downturn traveling and entertainment spending are some of the first things to go in peoples’ budgets. However, if we can develop jobs and industries here that will pay above minimum wage and give workers disposable income, we can provide stability and economic growth for our city and the surrounding area.
12. What else should readers know about you? I LOVE giraffes. I love the color purple. Honesty and integrity are super important to me. I don’t expect more from people than I am willing to give myself. That being said, I tend to expect from others what I am willing to give myself, which sometimes sets me up for disappointment. I believe every day is a gift and that we should receive it gratefully and make the most of it.
