# Tangram Ten // Tim Holliday
We're excited to welcome **Tim Holliday** to the Tangram family as our new Sales Representative for the Bakersfield office. Tim brings a unique perspective to commercial design, transitioning from nine years of service as an Operations Battalion Chief with the Kern County Fire Department.
His background in emergency response has shaped him into someone who thrives under pressure and approaches challenges with determination—qualities that translate perfectly to helping clients navigate complex design projects and tight deadlines.
## Getting to Know Tim
We sat down with Tim to learn more about his journey and what he brings to our team:
**What drew you to commercial interior design after firefighting?** "The opportunity to build relationships and help people create spaces that work for them. Whether I was responding to emergencies or now helping clients with their design needs, it's about problem-solving and making a positive impact."
**Tell us about your hometown.** Tim is Bakersfield born and raised, giving him deep roots in the Central Valley community and an understanding of the local business landscape.
**Any recent personal accomplishments?** "I just started playing tennis—something I'd wanted to try for years. It's never too late to pick up something new."
**If you could have lunch with anyone, who would it be?** "Walt Disney. I'd want to thank him and ask how he maintained his sense of wonder while building something so ambitious. There's a lot to learn from someone who turned imagination into reality."
## Why Tim Fits Tangram
Tim's transition from firefighting to commercial design might seem unexpected, but the parallels are striking. Both fields require:
- **Quick thinking under pressure** when project timelines shift - **Strong communication skills** to coordinate between multiple stakeholders - **Problem-solving abilities** when unexpected challenges arise - **Attention to detail** where safety and functionality are paramount
## A Story of Courage
When asked about the bravest thing he's ever done, Tim shared a story that exemplifies his character:
"Around 2am, we got called to a structure fire with a child reportedly trapped inside. I went in with an axe and hose, crawling through intense smoke and flames, systematically searching the boy's room. I never found him there—and that was the best possible outcome. He'd already escaped safely out the back door."
This story reveals Tim's methodical approach and commitment to seeing things through, even when the situation seems impossible.
## Looking Forward
**What excites you most about joining Tangram?** "Meeting new people, building relationships, and setting goals that I can work toward achieving. I'm energetic and outgoing by nature, and I believe in persevering until we find the right solution."
Tim's blend of emergency response experience, community connections, and genuine enthusiasm for helping others makes him a valuable addition to our Bakersfield team. His background gives him a unique perspective on space functionality and safety considerations that will benefit our commercial clients.
**Fun fact:** Tim admits to having a serious sweet tooth, particularly for chocolate chip cookies—"sweet and salty, comforting, and perfect with milk." Though when it comes to donuts, he jokes that his capacity "would make your head spin," so he's sticking to zero for now.
Welcome to the team, Tim! We're looking forward to the energy and dedication you'll bring to every project.
