Where I’m Coming From
Compiled by Forrest Preece
Bobby Jenkins - President, ABC Home & Commercial Services
- What’s something about you that not many people know?
I'm a big fan of The Hallmark Channel. I particularly enjoy the ones set in New England in the Fall.
- What was your first job?
I've really only had one job, and it's been here with ABC. First responsibility was being a helper on a termite crew in San Antonio when I was in Junior High. I would crawl under the house and remove any wood debris that was left under there.
- If you could have dinner with three people – dead or alive, at any time in history—who would they be?
Jesus, Abraham Lincoln, Willie Mays
- If you had to pick three musicians for a playlist, who would they be?
Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Elton John. For country music it's George Strait, Willie Nelson and Alan Jackson.
- Favorite book and TV show?
For a business book it would be Traction by Gino Wickman. For a pleasure book it would be The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown For a TV show, it's between Breaking Bad or Mad Men.
- Most powerful movie you have seen?
The Godfather
- Favorite place in Austin?
Favorite place in Austin is 1404 Ethridge. This happens to be our home for the past 33 years and I just love living in Central Austin. My wife and I have raised our three children here and have remodeled about six times. I think we have it just right now.
- Favorite restaurant and watering hole
We have a list of our favorite restaurants, and we are definitely creatures of habit. For brunch, it's Chez Zee, for lunch, it's 34th St Cafe, and for dinner, it's 68 degrees or Asti.
- What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Growing up I wanted to be what every Texas boy wanted to be, the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. And if that didn't work, this gig at ABC was always my other dream job.
- Which living person do you most admire?
Admiral Bill McRaven, who is just an incredible leader and inspirational speaker.
- What makes you happy?
Nothing makes me happier than being with my grandchildren. Jan and I are incredibly blessed to have all eight live within one mile of us here in Austin.
- Best advice you ever received?
Hire for attitude, train for aptitude.
