How did you get roped into doing this, and what was your first thought when asked?
Melissa Koke swung me an email. I read a couple words off her note and immediately replied, “I’m in.”

 

Why did you say yes?

The opportunity to benefit such an amazing organization that is truly making a difference in the youth of Lane County’s future is purely powerful. People that truly leave an impression on this earth get their hands dirty, get involved, and make a difference for future generations to benefit from…Boys and Girls Club is the epitome of all these things, it fires me up!

 

What is your official job title?

Senior Account Executive at Oregon Athletics IMG

 

How would you describe your job to your mother?

“Mom, I have a cool job. You would crush it in my line of work.” Haha, she really would… but honestly, I would say this “Mom, I align companies locally, regionally, and nationally with one of America’s most recognized athletics brands. I listen to company’s passions, aspirations, and goals of continued growth. I take this information and create a story we can tell together through the pedestal of University of Oregon Athletics.”

 

All families are unique, tell us about yours.

The Kelly family in Spokane Washington is a unique one for sure. My father is Terry, a tax attorney at Lee & Hayes in Spokane. Pops used to have amazing hair game back in the 70’s but the stresses of law school resulted in his hair falling out. Dad could shoot the rock back in the day; he played basketball for 4 years at Washington State University (started for 3 of those 4 years) under George Raveling. His senior year of college in 1980 pops helped lead the Cougs to their first NCAA Tournament in 41 years, Terry is a total stud. My mother Cyndi is as pure as they come. She is married to my dad and they are real life high school sweethearts, she was and still is way out of his league. Mom ran semi-professionally in her 20’s and 30’s and can still break 53 minutes in the annual Lilac Bloomsday Road Race (a hilly 12k road race) at age 59. She was an amazing woman to learn from as I grew up and developed through my childhood. She truly was and always will be my #1 supporter... we all need someone like this on our lives. Then there is my little brother Parker, he is 6’4 and 200 pounds of muscle. He lives in Spokane and works for Payne West Insurance doing commercial insurance. PK played basketball at Eastern Washington University from 2011-2014 and left Eastern #2 all time in 3 pointers made along with #12 on the all-time scoring list. PK is one of the great ones, very fortunate to have him in my life. The most recent addition to the family is my beautiful wife, Tsveta. We will be celebrating our 3-year wedding anniversary in March. She was born and raised in Bulgaria (it borders Greece to the south, I had to look it up on a map when we first met) and moved to the states when she was 17. Tsveta works for Pacific Benefits Consultants here in Eugene and continues to be successful in her young working career. Tsveta’s name means “flower” and it perfectly describes the beauty that she brings to her daily interactions. Anyone who knows us as a couple knows I am the lucky one to have talked her into marrying me; she is a beautiful individual inside and out.

 

Tell us about your personal passions, talents, and/or hobbies.

I love to run, brings me back to my collegiate days as a young harrier running for Gonzaga Prep and Gonzaga University. Hiking is a passion of mine as well; witnessing the beauty of nature in its most natural form continually makes me thankful. I love my Gonzaga Bulldogs (Go Zags!) and have grown into a passionate Duck fan through my time working for the Duck athletic department here in Eugene.

 

Who inspired you when you were growing up, and why?

My dad was and still is a huge inspiration in my life; he understands the blueprint to being successful better than anyone I know. I respected him for what he achieved athletically and professionally throughout his life journey. My dad is a flat out gamer…I see it every time we go out and play golf, he wants to beat my brother and me so bad every time we tee it up, I love the competitive fire that burns in him to this day.

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If you could go back and talk to your 12-year-old self, what would you say?
The advice would go something like this, “Never stop believing in yourself. Be true to who you are. And last but not least, make sure you marry the cute Bulgarian girl that comes along, she is the one for you.”

 

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