Quinton Standifer—A Monticello Millennial Making A Major Move

Quinton Standifer is a “Monticello Millennial” with the world at his fingertips just like the basketball he is sporting in his Know Your Neighbor photo.

Young Mr. Standifer is a Monticello native born to Jeannette and Bryan Standifer, both community notables. His mother has worked many years in the school system and with after school programs while his father has served as Monticello mayor for a myriad of years and still does.

The 23-year old is embarking on a new stage in life as he graduated from Kennesaw State University last Wednesday with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management. But long before his recent graduation, he had landed his dream job—a sales job with a professional league team. As you read this, Quinton is packing his bags in preparation to head out to Arizona this weekend to begin that dream job with the Phoenix Suns National Basketball Assocation (NBA) professional team. He will assist with the Suns ticket sales.

His mother, Jeannette, shared his great news with me months ago in anticipation of this very week like any proud parent would. She had a copy of his Phoenix Suns welcome packet on hand and was more than eager to share the details. She noted that Quinton would start in January 2020 after his December graduation, so I told her to get all the details together and message it to me following his graduation. She sent him to me live and in person instead while he was home visiting his high school alma mater for a lecture session with the Jasper County High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter.

Leadership has always been in his wheelhouse. Some may remember his high school years as an active FBLA member who served as treasurer of the JCHS chapter. In 2014, Quinton and Devon Andrews advanced to the FBLA national competition finishing ninth in the nation in Emerging Business Issues. He graduated the following year earning several scholarships to attend Valdosta State University before transferring to Kennesaw State as a sophomore.

You may also remember Quinton from a business venture, featured amongst these pages, known as Positive Pineapple. He and other members of his high school graduation class pooled their resources to start the company that sold paraphernalia promoting positivity. The business is still operational but the partners have been focused on completing college, he noted.

With his new living space already arranged, Quinton is more than ready to begin his new stage in life.

“I have worked really hard for this (opportunity) and I am ready!” he said.

I asked him how the job in Arizona came about and what led him to choosing it. Well, Quinton has always known that working in sales with a professional team was his goal. So he prepared himself diligently by majoring in sports management and harvesting his talents through several interns including a six month intern with the Atlanta Dream professional women’s basketball organization, the 2019 Super Bowl Experience held in Atlanta earlier this year, and Huddle Tickets. He also interned with the Kennesaw State University athletic department.

The Phoenix Suns job was not his only job offer, nor his first, from a NBA team but it was the best offer for him, he noted. As a member of LinkedIn, a professional online social media network, Quinton made contact with someone from the Suns organization while seeking advice. Those conversations led to a job interview and a job offer. His first job offer was from the NBA’s Philadelphia 76’ers and then his phone rang from the New Orleans Pelicans. But when the offer came from the Suns, he knew it was for him.

“In choosing to go Arizona, honestly it just felt right,” he said. “After the interview and the visit, it truly felt like they really wanted me not the guy on paper. They were interested in learning about me personally which made all the difference.”

According to the new hire, the fact that the Suns organization has some of the best sales professionals in the sales industry didn’t hamper his decision either.

With 1,800 plus miles between Atlanta and Phoenix and some 27 hours in travel time with light traffic by land, I inquired as to whether he had any pre-relocation jitters. Quinton said that there were a few but that the promise of the job and the thrill of the move would take care of any of that.

Interestingly enough, he commented that when others ask “why so far away” it only serves as confirmation that he is making the right move. His mom wasn’t thrilled about the distance but is ecstatic about the professional opportunity for her son and the Arizona getaways for her. He said his twin Quincy , a recent Reinhardt University graduate, was so so happy for him as any brother would be.

Quinton has advice for every young person with a dream—chase it!

“Chase the life that you see in your dreams. Any idea or business aspiration you have just go with it—don’t hold back. Eventually you will reap the rewards of your hard work!”

Good advice from a young man who had a dream, instituted a plan, and is now reaping the benefits of his hard work. His 10 year goal includes working up to president or vice president of a professional sports team and I have no doubt that Quinton will persevere.