Inside 16th & L is our bi-weekly blog series showcasing the Independent Sector team here at the corner of 16th and L Streets in Washington, DC. Find out who we are, where we’re from, what we do, and what drives us. This week, Inside 16th & L introduces Tyrone Brown, our operations and facilities associate.
Tyrone’s role in his words…
I’m a man of many hats. I cover the facilities of the building, which is a ten-level, A-class, almost 52,000-square foot building that houses Independent Sector and our tenants on other floors. I’m also a receptionist. I do accounts payable, logistics, and the list goes on.
Tyrone in three words…
Entrepreneur, husband, enigma
Hometown and alma mater
My alma mater is Howard University, but since it’s local, I don’t really rep it that much. I was born here in DC, but I was raised in Accokeek, Maryland, which is about a 35-minute drive from here right on the edge of Prince George’s and Charles County.
How did you end up in your current role at IS? What were you doing before?
While I was in school, I decided to start doing security, which was the best way for me to get the time I needed for studying while also making the bucks to pay for the Ramen noodles life. I did that for about a year and a half into going to school, and was actually here at this building working night shifts at first and switching to morning depending on my class schedule. I got to know a specific person here—James Toliver—who actually had my job before me, and we talked about what I wanted to do, where I was going. At that point, I was still undecided on my major, so I wasn’t exactly clear on what I wanted to do and he told me he was leaving soon when I was still in school and working and thought I might be interested in filling his position. I thought “Well, why not?” So it was a good referral for the position of Office Coordinator, which is what the role was when I started. I put my resume in and pretty much told them everything about me, and then I was hired and I’ve been here ever since.
What’s on your desk?
If you look on my desk—past the barrage of papers and post-its—I guess you would see a check scanner, a mail printer, then a picture of my fearless leader: my wife Naomi. Then behind her picture is a picture of my dog as well. And, oh, a plethora of junk mail, because I do sort the mail for Independent Sector.
What’s the first thing you do when you get into the office?
Theoretically, I’m supposed to be here before everyone because I do logistics and make sure the coffee’s stocked so everyone gets their fix before they cut to their computers. But surprisingly, the number one thing I have to do—and I’ve been reminded of this plenty of times—is check the mail for any checks that have arrived from our members. If we miss checks that come in the mail for our membership team, they go postal.
Do you have any pets?
We have a papillon named Isaac. The breed’s name is French for butterfly, a name they get for their ears because they’re always positioned upward and are pretty big for how small the dog is. Papillons are usually around 6-8 pounds, but ours ended up being 16 pounds—basically twice his normal breed size, so I call him a king papillon when people ask what breed he is.
My wife and I were dating way before she actually picked the dog. She was still in college when her previous dog had died, so her parents went out and bought another dog. And I was just livid because I didn’t think she’d be around to take care of it, and now of course, I’m taking care of that dog. At the time they picked up the dog, I wasn’t really in its life, so when my wife and I moved in together, I could tell the dog was like, “Oh, who’s this guy? She’s mine.” We’ve squashed that feud between us now—we’re the best of friends.
Movies
Last you saw at home – That would be Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. I’m a big fan of art, it’s one of my hobbies. And I just think that movie is funny and creative and humorous all at the same time. My wife and I just watched that movie together two days ago. We just moved into our new house and hadn’t figured out what we want to do with all our boxes and stuff. So we just found our PlayStation3 and we set up our TV on a leaning box in our room and just chilled out to watch Scott Pilgrim.
Last you saw in a theater – Guardians of the Galaxy. Like I said, I’m a big artist, and a cartoon fan—specifically like anime and comic books as a kid. It was pretty good. Nothing’s ever as good as the original, but I like the twists and Easter eggs inside of it.
Old favorite – My throwback—and I’m such a guy for this—would be Terminator 2. It’s just such a good movie. I can watch that until the end of time.
Fun Fact
Tyrone’s dog’s full name is Isaac Thornberry Strudelpie Bonilla.
