Pursuing a passion and a degree : the power of perseverance
Finding support and service during life ’ s changes
company life
EMPLOYEE STORIES : THE VALUE OF SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Pursuing a passion and a degree : the power of perseverance
In the early 1990s , a young Alton McCalla and his parents moved to the U . S . from Jamaica . His parents wanted to give him a better quality of life , than they had and have access to better opportunities , so they landed in New York City .
Alton first started college at a school in NYC and was a student in the city during the 9 / 11 attacks . A few years later , McCalla moved to Utah to be closer to his partner at the time and enrolled at Dixie State University , now Utah Tech University .
During his time at Dixie State , Alton took various classes to try and discover his passion . Without an official plan for a degree , he began working in various sales positions and took a break from school until he enrolled at Western Governors University in 2014 .
“ I initially thought I wanted to be a software developer , but after I started taking cybersecurity classes , I knew I found my passion ,” Alton said .
Alton joined the Larry H . Miller Company in 2021 as a junior security analyst . He continued working toward his degree , taking classes part-time , He made the decision to take on a full course load from WGU while working full-time . During his last year of school , his wife also gave birth to their first child , a little girl named Stevie Claire .
“ That time was very difficult ,” Alton said . “ I had to balance spending time with my family and studying for my classes . My mom gives my wife credit for my graduating , which is 100 percent true . My wife was the one who motivated me .”
Alton earned his bachelor ’ s degree from Western Governors University in January 2023 , and now serves as a cybersecurity analyst for the LHM IT team ,
Though Alton is not a first-generation student – his father has a degree in accounting from a university in Jamaica – he is the first in his family to earn a degree in the United States .
“ Since my first day at the Larry H . Miller Company , Josh Boyles and my team have been some of my biggest cheerleaders ,” Alton said . “ Josh always pushed me to finish my degree and get my education because he knew it would open doors for me . I want to give him a huge thank you because he has been there for me since the moment I got here .”
Finding support and service during life ’ s changes
When Sam Wood and his wife found out they were expecting twins , he received unwavering support from his team at Larry H . Miller Megaplex Theatres .
Sam has been with the Larry H . Miller Company for over 12 years . He ’ s worked in various roles in marketing and HR before being named the vice president of people and culture for Megaplex Theatres in 2020 and most recently vice president of people and culture at Larry H . Miller Sports & Entertainment .
34 WINNING SPIRIT MAGAZINE