Michael Harley| Vice President Account Management
I began working with Clay in the early formation years of Ovation. Since the beginning, we’ve shared a common goal of delivering extraordinary events at exceptional value to our clients.
We didn’t know a thing about audiovisual back then, so thinking out of the box came easy. We’ve set out to break away from the traditional AV production model, and have done a pretty good job doing that.
In hindsight it was simple, when our clients like what we did we kept doing it. When they didn’t, we changed.
You find that developing a business is easier when you just listen to your customers and don’t hesitate to go to extremes to deliver (like driving through California wildfires). My primary job at Ovation is to ensure our team delivers our client’s desires. You’ll find me primarily on show site.
THIS IS WHAT INSPIRES
People | Sir Ernest Shackleton and the men of the Endurance; Lance Armstrong, George Washington
Actors | Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, and Jack Black
Quote | "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." -- Dr. Seuss
Places | If I had to pick a place then 17°6′N, 61°45′W ain’t bad.
Lovemarks | Catalina, Trader Joe’s, Ben & Jerry’s, Levis, Jack Daniels
Books | The Sun Also Rises and A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten by Robert Fulghum
Music | Bruce Springsteen, U2, Mark Knopfler, Michael Buble’, Jimmy Buffett, and The LeClaires
Artist | Picasso, Braque, and Monet
Foods | Oyster’s on the half shell, fresh grilled Mahi, steamed veggies on rice. Fish Taco’s at Baja. Turkey & dressing from Puckets.
Sports | Pat Sumitt and the Lady Vols – the epitome of dedication and excellence in leadership and passionate players.
Team |
Moment in personal life | Nothing tops the birth of my three children; Outside of that, at age 17 waking up to reveal that first morning in boot camp and thinking “oh #$%&! What have I done”. It turned out to be one of the best decisions and a pivotal point in my life.
Moment in world history | July 4, 1776 It’s hard to fathom the courage and foresight of these leaders and those that followed them.
Random thing | Life goes by pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. – Ferris Bueller
EXTRA NOTES
When I’m not on the job, I’ll be doing what I love most in life, spending time with my family. I live in Nashville with my wife Monica and our three children, Matthew, Eva and Mary.