The latest entry in our “Meet the Team” series focuses on Amanda Proffitt, a lifelong University of South Carolina Gamecocks fan who can’t seem to stop learning new things.
Scott, Will and Amanda (L-R)
Position: Director of Operations
Started working at Loop: May 2011. James, Brian and I had worked together at Tech Structures in the past, and we met up at a conference/expo, where they asked me to help out at their booth. Soon after that, we had lunch, and they offered me a position with no pay but an ownership percentage. It was a risk, but an educated one, and it’s worked out pretty well.
Hometown: Manning, S.C.
Current: Rock Hill, S.C.
First job: Growing up, my aunt was a caterer, and I worked with her. I was also a CAD tech at my dad’s engineering office.
Education, etc. University of South Carolina, with a degree in English
Family: Husband Scott and son Will (4). Will has a white belt in taekwondo, with Amanda (second-degree black belt) serving as an assistant instructor at the dojang.
Pets: A cat named Rogue, who’s almost 12. Rogue doesn’t like other animals.
You took a professional break to get a culinary degree?
Cooking was always something my family enjoyed. Growing up, if you didn’t cook, you brought paper products to the family gatherings. I was burned out, so I took the one-year “garnish your degree” program at Johnson & Wales. It was a lot of fun, but I felt old at times with all the 18-year-olds. I did my co-op/internship at The Wine Shop at Foxcroft.
I still love to cook at home – the cuisine varies. For my birthday recently, I got a sous vide circulator.
What do you like best about your job?
I learn something new every day. I like the challenge of figuring out the best way to do something. Also, Brian, James and I work well together. Each of us has an area that we’re best at, and we all trust the others to handle their areas of expertise. Oh, and it’s never boring.
What’s your best professional attribute?
I pick things up quickly … networking, server stuff. I tend not to get stuck in the weeds when there’s a new direction in tech. I can get up to speed quickly.
What is your favorite place to vacation?
Fernandina Beach, Fla. It’s a small beach, and we love it.
Place you most want to visit?
Europe. I’d like to try French food in France, and see a Premier League or Bundesliga soccer match.
Favorite hobbies?
I like to read, and I like local food. It’s interesting to learn what resources are available, and good to support the local farmers. We also homebrew beer.
(Editor’s note: This is in addition to the Taekwondo and cooking expertise.)
Superpower that you’d most like to have?
I’m a klutz, so Wolverine’s healing factor would be awesome.
Who would play you in the Loop movie?
My husband says it should be Kate McKinnon.
Person you’d most like to meet?
Elon Musk would be interesting, but nobody really stands out.
Best experience meeting a famous person.
I haven’t really met anyone famous, but Scott and I have seen two Weird Al Yankovic concerts, and during one of them he came down from the stage and sang to me while holding my hand. Scott was laughing too hard to take a picture.
As a Taekwondo black belt, could you kick everyone’s ass at Loop?
Not all at once.