Early or late. It makes no difference to Larry Taylor of the Whitfield County Information Technology department. “Larry consistently goes above the requirements of his job responsibilities,” says his supervisor, Rick Lovelady. “He is always willing to stay late or come in early in order to complete projects.” For his extra efforts, Taylor has been named Whitfield County Employee of the Month for September.
“Larry is a team member and helps others whenever possible,” Mr.
Lovelady said. “He wants to do the job to the best of his ability; to do it right the first time. Larry communicates very well and shows respect to everyone. The number one reason for nominating Larry is his willingness. No task is too small or big for him to volunteer to help.”
For example, Mr. Taylor helped at the 911 Center during snowstorms, making sure computers, networks, and other communication devices were functioning optimally. Mr. Taylor also volunteers at the community food bank, helps with a charity race that donates money and toys to T. C. Thompson, and assists with the Pickens County Jeep Fest to raise money for the Sheriff’s Boys and Girls club.
To help local residents learn more about himself, Taylor filled out the following fun questionnaire.
Name: Larry Taylor
Job: Senior System Engineer
Time with the county: 4½ years
Where I went to school: Southeast High School
My role as a county employee: To help keep everything running smoothly in the Information Technology department
What keeps my job interesting: Nothing is ever a routine or the same
What gives me a sense of accomplishment on the job: Answering someone’s question or fixing a problem for them
The most important thing I’ve done on the job: Help make other people’s day better
Where I grew up: Dalton
Family: Stephanie DiDonato, Madeline DiDonato
After work, I enjoy: Going to Veritas to practice Jiu-jitsu
Community activities: Help raise money for T.C. Thompson’s Childrens Hospital,volunteer time at the food bank.
Favorite TV show: The Strain
Favorite sport: Judo
Favorite music: Rock and roll.
Favorite Whitfield County restaurant: Los Pablos
Favorite Whitfield County event: Prater’s Mill Country Fair
Three people (living or dead) I’d invite to dinner: My grandfather, John Wayne, Jigoro Kano
I’m most proud of: The number of friends I have in my life.
Pet peeve: Bad drivers
If I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s: It not how many times you get knocked down, it’s that you get back up every time.
Who has had the most impact on my life: My parents.
Personal goals I have accomplished or would like to accomplish: Better a person than I was yesterday.
If I could have been in any profession of my choosing, I would have been a: CEO of a car company.
You’d be surprised to learn that I: was the track announcer at Brainerd Optimist drag strip for a few years.