Entrepreneurship
I recently launched the Startup Knox Ecosystem Guide, a first-of-its-kind directory of resources for entrepreneurs and startups in the greater Knoxville region. I’m a co-founder of the Knoxville Technology Council, and chair of the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center. Previously, I co-founded Cirrus Insight, a software-as-a-service company based in Knoxville, Tennessee and Irvine, California. Cirrus Insight is a plugin for Gmail and Outlook for salespeople. It’s an all-in-one sales productivity platform with world-class Salesforce integration. Cirrus Insight was ranked #41 on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies in 2016.
Awards
I’m grateful to have been recognized by these organizations for my work and volunteer efforts.
Conferences
I’ve had the opportunity to participate in hundreds of conferences and events in various roles including organizer, emcee, speaker, panelist, judge, and attendee.
Podcasts
I’ve been a guest on several dozen of the top business, entrepreneurship, and sales podcasts.
Books
I’ve written a few bite-sized books related to my work at Cirrus Insight on the topic of sales.
Articles
I’ve had the opportunity to write several articles and be interviewed for others. Here are a few.
Knox News The leadership lesson I learned from a world-record Appalachian Trail hiker
Knox News How to Raise Kids to be Entrepreneurs
Knoxville Mercury Meet four high-tech Knoxville startups that could shake up their industries
The Wall Street Journal Quoted in ‘Let Them Dance…But Not Too Close’: Welcome to the Post-Weinstein Holiday Party
Forbes How to Plan a Company Retreat that Combines Work and Fun
Teknovation Articles by Tom Ballard
Business Collective Building Community
Business Collective Networking Advice
Videos
Here are a few videos from conferences, events, and TV.
Athletics
I’ve always enjoyed pushing myself and being outside. My biggest endurance race was cycling 508 miles across Death Valley in 2002 in the Furnace Creek 508. I finished in 35 hours and 7 minutes.
I was honored to participate in the Pedal for Alzheimer’s 1,098-mile bike ride from Knoxville to Daytona Beach in October 2018. It was an epic ride with a great group of people.
I also enjoy running, hiking, and paddling in Knoxville and the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and wherever I travel.
Boards
I enjoy serving on the boards of these top organizations in Knoxville.
Past Boards
Volunteer
Advancing community projects with other like-minded folks is one of my favorite things.
Education
I’ve been lucky to attend great schools from elementary school through law school. I have enduring memories of holding tarantulas at The Family School, converting an exercise bike to power a lightbulb for science fair at Dunn Middle School, traveling to conferences in Japan and South Africa while at Cate School, rowing on the crew team at UCSB, and delivering closing arguments at mock trials at Concord Law School.
Downloads
Here are a couple photos and a brief biography for download if you need them for a podcast or conference.
