Lipscomb Executive Danny Taylor was named the 2010 nonprofit CFO of the year by the Nashville Business Journal in a ceremony last week.
Taylor was in good company being selected above four other deserving finalists from Nashville Electric Service, the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Frist Center, Brightstone Incorporated and the Schermerhorm Symphony Center.
Photo courtesy of lipscomb.edu
Taylor was nominated for the award by President Lowry and was awarded a plaque at a lunch ceremony downtown in front of 400 people.
“I was absolutely blown away,” Taylor said. “I was shocked and surprised that I won. I had prepared myself that I was not going to win, but I was lucky enough to win. It has been an unbelievable ride since I won almost to the point that I can’t believe it. It came from left field.”
Taylor is gracious for all the congratulatory remarks and emails he received after being awarded. He has since been invited to leadership seminars and was recognized by the Lipscomb Board of Trustees and faculty members. He even made it into his church bulletin and is truly humbled by the experience.
“I haven’t really known how to handle it to be honest,” Taylor said. “It’s been that surreal.”
Lipscomb hired Taylor as chief financial officer on Dec. 4, 2000. Since President Lowry took office in 2005, Taylor’s responsibilities continue to increase as Lipscomb has seen incredible growth and development and does not plan on slowing down any time soon.
Taylor has a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a bachelor of arts degree in speech from Western Kentucky University. He works behind the scenes with departments all across campus including financial aid, IT, the dining hall, the bookstore, physical plant and buildings and grounds.
“Every hour is different, and that’s what I really like about my job,” Taylor said. “The fun for me is getting my touch in so many different things. Boredom is never something I have to worry about. It’s really great.”
Taylor has two children in the graduate program here at Lipscomb and has a secret talent that he gets to live out with a student-run band on campus– harmonica playing. Huckleberry Caulfield and the Mason Jars are gracious enough to let Taylor sit in and play with them every once in a while.
“I get to play on campus a few times with those guys,” Taylor said. “It’s a hobby of mine that I do love.”
“Being here at Lipscomb was a dream of mine to begin with, and so I’m kind of living out my dream being here at Lipscomb, and I’m really enjoying my time here,” said Taylor. “I can’t thank enough Dr. Lowry and the board for allowing me to be in the job that I’m in.
“The award was big, but being here and being a part of Lipscomb and doing what I do every day is really what it’s all about. That’s what counts.”