Tyler Shugarts, 28
Assistant administrator, Children’s Hospital at Erlanger; Opened Children’s Kennedy Outpatient Center; Executive Board charter member, Red Shoe Society of Greater Chattanooga; Co-chairman, Red Shoe Society; Member, Finance Committee, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga; Member, Rotaract Club of Chattanooga
Who’s your favorite “Game of Thrones” character?
The complexity of Tyrion Lannister always captivated me. The merger of seemingly irreconcilable characteristics created a fascinating sense of balance throughout the show. He leveraged the nobility and wealth associated with the Lannister name with his often overlooked instincts and political prowess to become the Hand of two separate rulers: King Joffrey and Daenerys Targaryen. But all the while, he always seemed to have a natural gravitation to those who don’t conform to society. Despite his habitual consumption of wine, he shows a level of emotional stability that is driven by an unwavering moral compass. He also possesses a strong sense of loyalty to those he respects, despite having been humiliated for the duration of his life. If you put all of this together, I think you have the most notable character of the show, who without a doubt was given the best and memorable lines for us all to cherish.
Which GOT character do you think you would be?
In an attempt to eliminate my own internal bias, I actually asked my best friend, who is an avid fan of the show and the books, to opine. To my pleasure, his response matched with my own view. I see myself as someone who is driven by integrity and uses influence when necessary, not for self-promotion but to hopefully better all I come in contact with. Aegon Targaryen, better known as Jon Snow, possesses the strongest moral compass in the show. He is driven by honor, compassion and kindness which borders on blind faith in humanity. Ultimately, this results in his murder by the Night’s Watch. When he learns that he has the strongest claim to the Iron Throne, he doesn’t let pride and a greed-fueled desire for power overtake him. His work is always for the greater good.
Who would you have put on the Iron Throne?
I would have given the Iron Throne to Jon Snow. Pride, greed and the desire for power is what started the fight for the Iron Throne in the first place. Although Jon is a natural born leader, it seems as if he does not possess the same prideful ambition to rule as all of the others vying for the throne. Even when he learns he possesses the strongest ancestral claim to the throne, he honors the allegiance he made to Daenerys (although he ultimately betrays her for the greater good of the kingdom). History has shown many of the greatest leaders actually never truly desired to lead, but stepped into the role as necessity for the greater good, and I think Jon fits that profile.
Last book you read and/or show you binge-watched?
I’m currently reading a book called “The Lords of Discipline” by Pat Conroy. It is based on The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., and tells the story of how one cadet’s personal moral compass challenges the system and all of its corruption. My younger brother is a graduate of The Citadel so I have maintained somewhat of a level of intrigue with the school. The last show that I binge-watched would be Season 3 of “The Man in the High Castle,” which is based in a world where the Axis powers defeated the Allied powers in World War II. It makes you realize that this world was very close to looking very different, and makes you appreciate the liberty that we possess.
If you ruled the world (or Chattanooga), what would you change?
If I ruled Chattanooga, I would mandate that public transportation infrastructure was built in a way that it worked for all citizens. I realize this is a big task and would probably require a magic wand for it to truly come to fruition, but I know it is vital for our community if we want to create the opportunity for upward economic mobility. Never forget, a rising tide lifts all boats, and I believe this would certainly raise the bar for our city.
Who would be on your advisory council?
A fine line exists between having too small of an inner circle, which can lead to a lack of diversity of thought and opinion, versus being open to all, which can lead to confusion through too many voices so that you may not truly be aware of motives. I tend to lean toward a smaller group that would include my pastor, my current boss/mentor and two of my most trusted friends, one from my hometown in Alabama and one from here in Chattanooga. Considering he is wildly successful as well as philanthropic, I think I would also invite Bill Gates. However, I’m guessing I would have to rule the world, not just Chattanooga, in order for him to accept.
Is ruler a position you’d even want?
I would only want the position of ruler if I had a true vision for how to move the kingdom forward and believed that I could influence and empower those around me to make a difference. Honestly, I do not mind operating behind the scenes without public recognition. I get more internal satisfaction from seeing the results of my work than having to be the face of a movement. Yet, that’s not to say that I am not comfortable being be the public leader, because I am. But that is not what ultimately motivates me.
What drives you professionally and/or personally?
I am extremely blessed in that I feel called to be a pediatric health care administrator. I view my job as being a champion for all of the children in this region so that they have an opportunity to live a better life. I never have to question whether or not my work is making a difference – watching a nervous child come into the new Children’s Kennedy Outpatient for the first time and seeing their anxiety disappear as they press the “secret” button to start the model train in the lobby is one of the most satisfying experiences I have ever had, mostly because I know this is happening countless times a day. I am excited to continue this work as we develop visions and strategies to further enhance pediatric health care in this region for decades to come.
What’s one thing you’d really like to accomplish?
Has that goal changed over the years? My hope is that at the end of my life, people will remember me as a man who loved and served his family and community like no other. As I have gotten older, I have realized that this life is truly about the relationships you have and serving those in your sphere of influence. I daily push myself to operate in a humble mindset, as I believe it is the only way to effectively reach this goal.