Name:  Thomas (T.J.) Hollis

Family: Wife Shannon Hollis (UGA ’99); children Greer Hollis (UGA ’28), Mills Hollis

Hometown: Savannah, Georgia

Current Town: Savannah, Georgia

What Years at UGA: 1995-1999

School/Degree: Franklin College of Arts and Sciences/BA 1999

Profession: Partner/Attorney at McManamy Jackson Hollis, LLC

What life lessons did you learn while at UGA? The amount of amazing people and activities that surround you at UGA taught me to reach out, connect, and engage with people you meet—especially those people you meet that may not be in your usual contact sphere. Discovering and embracing friends from different backgrounds enriches our lives and broadens our understanding of the world. My advice is to say “yes” and go to every event you can while you’re on campus and introduce yourself.

What professor did you most admire? 

Dr. Veronica Duncan-Johnson was my professor for several classes in the Speech Communication department. Dr. Duncan pushed, prodded, and shoved me outside of my comfort zone and challenged me in a way that no other teacher had before or since.  Dr. Duncan was an inspiration due to her ability to connect with her students, find their weaknesses, and establish trust while challenging them to be better.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Out kicking my coverage and marrying my wife Shannon (who I met on day one at UGA) and raising two awesome kids.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? 

Mark Twain – Twain’s keen sense of humor and sharp wit when critiquing society with blended satire while attempting to preserve American values resonates with me more and the underlying themes are timeless.

Quote to live by: 

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris Bueller

What is your most marked characteristic? 

My sense of humor and quick witty remarks (ironically, this would probably be the answer to what characteristic is my greatest liability).

What do you most value in your friends? 

Loyalty is the most important value in true friends. True friendship isn’t about being there when it’s convenient, it’s about being there when it’s not.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 

I wouldn’t mind being a little taller.

Who are your favorite writers? 

Pat Conroy. His ability to truly capture and detail the rarely exposed undercurrent of life in the Low Country never ceases to amaze me.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

A bunch of boats rafted up together on the river, sun-kissed and salty skin, laughter echoing across the water, surrounded by my family and friends.

Fave social media and who to follow? Instagram— @‌goin2cjb – once more to beat the sunrise and @‌littlebubbychild – anytime I want to laugh to tears.