Mark Reese
Senior Facilities Manager
ISYE

Where are you from and what brought you to Georgia Tech?

I'm from right here in Atlanta. I haven't lived here all my life yet, but I'm getting closer. I've been here at Tech for going on 29 years, since 1986. What brought me here? I was looking for a job years ago and Tech had one for me.

What roles have you had at Tech?

I started out in the student center in student services, working in the mail room. From there I moved into facilities, and up to facilities manager. I've been here in ISyE for about 15 years as a senior facilities manager.

What do you like about working here?

It's such a great group of people. They really are. One thing about working on the academic side is that I get to work with some of the brightest people I've ever met. It's a very good group to work with.

Rumor has it that your dog is fairly famous around ISyE. How did you end up with her and what is she famous for?

Well, I've never been a big animal lover. I have nothing against them, that's just the way I'd been. Then about five or six years ago for some reason I decided I wanted to get a dog. I started looking around and I found this little Yorkshire Terrier. She's my best buddy. A lot of people say not to buy dogs at pet shops, but that's where I bought her. I went in and she was about five months old. Nobody really wanted her because she was so hyper. So I got her. Her name is Mia.

I guess she's kind of famous because as a terrier she has such a personality. I know it sounds odd, but she's almost like a little person. She stays right with me no matter what I'm doing. Her mom spoiled her and I think she has more clothes than I do. She gets treated very, very well. She has all sorts of outfits. She has jackets, shoes, dresses. She has a bikini for going to the river or the lake. She has a bit of everything. She has some Georgia Tech sweaters and a Tech hair bow. She gets treated like a little person. I've brought her in to the office a few times, but not very often.

Does she have any favorite activities?

She gets the urge to go for walks every now and then. She likes to get around the lake and be outside. She loves to run since she's so hyper. She doesn't play nice with other dogs though. She's not dog friendly. I live close to the Chattahoochee River though so there's lots of room for us to walk around there. She's small enough that if another dog comes by I can just pick her right up.

She doesn't do any tricks or anything. I don't think she realizes she's a dog. If you try to get her to do a trick she'll just stare you down like you're crazy. She mostly just likes to run around and play. She plays ball, and she likes to wrestle.

What does she like to eat?

Well, I mentioned she might be a little bit spoiled. She's a very healthy eater. She eats all natural food. I know this will sound really strange, but she drinks bottled water. The reason for that is that dogs can get watery eyes, and I heard it's from the chlorine and other chemicals in the water. Bottled water doesn't have that, so it cuts down on those tear stains. So she gets bottled water and all-natural food. She loves fish. I think she's part cat. If you put fish or chicken in front of her she'll fight you for it.

Have you consider getting another dog?

I've thought about getting another dog for her to play with, but they are time consuming. She stays home all day by herself. I want to spend time with her in the evenings and I think I like having just the one. She's enough for me. She's high maintenance, and that's our own fault. She gets her teeth brushed every night to avoid dental problems. If you neglect their teeth it can lead to bigger problems, and since she eats that fish and chicken brushing her teeth gives her good breath. It's a habit we got into years ago.

What advice do you have for someone thinking about getting a dog?

For me, I don't like a lot of dog fur. The thing with Yorkshire Terriers is that they have hair, not fur. They're just like you and I, so they really don't shed, and they have no real odor. Some dogs have that dog smell that you get, but they don't have that, so that's something to consider. They make great inside dogs and that's important to me. It keeps the place clean. 

And like I said, I was never a big animal lover, but if you're looking for a dog that will stick right with you and be loyal, terriers are great. I know most dogs are, but she's my best friend. 

Ava
Human Interaction Specialist
Atlanta Humane Society (Alpharetta Office)

Ava is looking for a forever home. She prefers people over other animals and would love to meet you. Here is her bio from the Humane Society:

Ava is a stunning adult female feline who was named for the sultry movie star, Ava Gardner. Our Ava has the same polished look and is very poised. She enjoys window views, loves to talk and will play when the mood strikes her. She would be a wonderful companion for adults in a quiet house with no other animals. If you work from home she would be the perfect office mate - quiet and well-mannered. She is very smart and might assist with budget projections, sales proposals, or even performance appraisals. Ava's adoption fee has been generously paid by Harry's Farmers Market. Please come to the Mansell Campus and meet Ms. Ava.