Donna Julian's most stressful day and her best day on the job came together around the same event, which ended with a presidential thanks. (Courtesy Hornets Sports & Entertainment)
What did you think you would do when you were a kid? A Broadway performer.
What would you be doing if you weren’t in your job? Crime scene investigator.
First job in the industry: Marketing and group sales for USAir Arena, Washington Bullets and Washington Capitals, at Centre Management.
What is your favorite part of the job? The collaboration and creativity that goes into planning each event. As well as the excitement of the crowd enjoying the events and realizing we are making memories for our guests.
Who is your favorite mentor(s)? My mother, Loretta Patterson; Hank Abate; and Mike Evans.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? I went to Ohio University on a tennis scholarship; I was a four-year letterman and co-captain my senior year.
Best advice you’ve ever received: Not being afraid to take chances, that life is full of ups and downs, and family comes first.
Biggest achievement in your career: The opening of the arena here in Charlotte, with a sold-out Rolling Stones concert, and hosting the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Memory of most stressful day on the job: Due to weather, we had a last-minute move during the DNC that switched President Obama’s acceptance speech to the arena, instead of Bank of America Stadium, where it was originally planned.
Memory of best day on the job: When we were successfully able to pull off the move for the DNC. It turned out to be a great event where I even had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet President Obama, where he personally thanked us for hosting the DNC.