Louisiana Tech's Young Alumnus of the Year in 2014, Jamie Adams is one of 4,834 Tech alumni in the 13-county Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Coushatta native and Class of 2004 computer information systems major rescheduled an East Coast business meeting so he could be at the inaugural DXL Frisco Bowl Wednesday night at 7 in Toyota Stadium when the Bulldogs meet SMU's Mustangs. A senior vice president of sales at Scorpion Design, a web design and hosting company, Adams is a moving target. But we caught up with him to find out what to do in Frisco, what he thinks of Tech football's fourth straight bowl bid, and why, in his mid-30s, he's been dedicated to supporting LTAC at the highest level. (Hint: Could be because his dad gave him some wise advice, and because a handful of Louisiana Tech professors changed the course of his life.)

Go here and enjoy an Alumni Spotlight with Jamie: https://www.facebook.com/LATechBusiness/videos/10154785944241623/

What's new at work right now?

Jamie: 2017 was a great year for Scorpion. We made our first acquisition in July when we bought Driven Local, a New York-based Internet marketing company. We opened a new headquarters in Valencia, Cal., next door to Six Flags Magic Mountain. It's a 100,000-square-feet space occupied by almost 500 Scorpion employees. Our team designed the building end-to-end to create a work environment that would help inspire creativity and collaboration. Finally, we made the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company list for the 7th consecutive year, which we are all very proud of as it's a testament to the hard work from our team and the great customer relationships we have created.

How far do you live from Toyota Stadium and have you been to an event there?

Jamie: I live about 20 miles from Frisco in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. I've been to a few events at Toyota Stadium and it's a great venue.

What might Bulldog fans check out in the Frisco area?

Jamie: Frisco is a great area and there's no shortage of things to do. If you're a sports fan at all, you have to check out The Star which is the new Dallas Cowboys HQ and Training Center. There are plenty of restaurants in that area as well. The Shops at Legacy has great restaurants and shopping. If you're bringing kids or you want to have fun like a kid again, check out iFLY, which is an indoor sky-diving simulation experience. One of my good friends runs marketing for a great new brewery called Unlawful Assembly Brewing Company; I haven't been, but from all accounts it's a great spot.

What are your thoughts on Tech making it to another bowl, and was it a tough season for you as a fan since the Bulldogs had a bit of a frustrating autumn with the close games lost?

Jamie: Clearly it's quite an accomplishment and something the team, students, faculty, and alumni should be really proud about. One of the things athletics teaches is the value in learning to bounce back from losses and control what you can control by pushing ahead. I think the team did that this year and hopefully they'll get one more win they can be proud of.

Why do you choose to support LTAC at the highest level?

Jamie: I was a college athlete (tennis) for a couple years myself. When I look back on that time in my life, I realize that many things I learned which drive me to work hard and compete hard to be the best I can be I learned through my experience as an athlete. In my opinion, the leadership at Tech continues to demonstrate a commitment to creating a place and program that promotes hard work, making the most of the resources they have, and hustling to tell that story and build more support within the Tech community. For whatever reason, that really hits home with me and I'm very grateful I'm in a position that enables me to support their efforts as much as possible.

Why would you encourage others to give?

Jamie: Louisiana Tech delivers a great educational experience through a faculty that makes you feel like family. It's no secret that having an athletic program that competes at the highest level benefits not only the student-athletes, but also the entire student body and University. Since I decided to become more involved through giving a few years back, I've seen the results delivered by the staff and the benefits that come for the entire Tech community. Plus, my dad has always told me you can't take it (money) with you so you may as well find worthy causes you believe in and put your money to work for those things. I clearly believe in what LATech Athletics is building.

You also support the College of Business. How did you come to that decision, and what was behind your working toward having a room in the COB named after Selwyn (Ellis, Tech's Balsley-Whitmore Endowed Professor)?

Jamie: I decided to give to the COB this year because a handful of professors there helped change the course of my life. Dr. Ellis was the most pivotal. I needed more than a professor to teach me about JavaScript in 2003. I believed I was smart and had potential, but I was incredibly confused and frustrated about being close to graduating and not having a clue as to what I wanted to do in my life. Dr. Ellis picked up on that and was willing to lend his ear and encouragement. He deserves a room with his name on it and I'm grateful that I was able to help make that happen. (The plaque on Ellis' office in the Business Building's CIS suite reads, "Jamie Adams in honor of Dr. Selwyn Ellis.")

Finally, what are your Christmas plans?

Jamie: I'm going to be heading back home to Coushatta for a few days around Christmas. I'm really looking forward to spending some time with my family and some old friends who I don't get to see very often. I'm taking the week between Christmas and New Year's off to unwind and get prepared to go all in on 2018.