Daniel McGarry — innovation Director
Daniel McGarry
Daniel joined the City Leadership team in August 2023 and is our Innovation Director.
What I do for city Leadership
As the Innovation Director at City Leadership, I lead our talented marketing team, steering our communications across multiple channels.
From crafting engaging emails for Teach901 to creating merchandise that allows residents to celebrate their Memphis pride, and curating content for Choose901, to boosting our presence on social media — my role is all about connecting with the community.
Our goal is to leverage our communication channels to recruit, develop, and catalyze leaders for a growing and improving Memphis, TN.
CONNECT WITH ME
How I got to Memphis…
I grew up in the rolling hills of middle Tennessee, east of Memphis, and south of Nashville. Ever since 5th grade I’ve been in love with basketball. My favorite player? Penny Hardaway. And Penny was from Memphis, one of the closest big cities to me.
I remember watching the 1995 NBA Finals and being so enamored with Penny and his playing style.
Even today, I have my drawing I made in 5th grade of Penny hanging on the wall of my house, right next to my signed Penny basketball.
In a high school graduating class of 250+, I was the sole person who chose Memphis as my college destination. Everyone else, UTK, MTSU, or somewhere in between. But Memphis was where I needed to be.
Why I Choose901
After completing my undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis, I moved to Nashville for an internship and job opportunity.
But I found myself missing the grit and grind of Memphis. I never felt at home in Nashville. Always a tourist. Here in Memphis though, you know where you stand.
My wife, Diane also grew up in my hometown of Fayetteville, TN. She also was one of the very few from her high school class to choose the University of Memphis. And when we began dating she lived in Memphis and me in Nashville.
Diane and I got married in 2010. And the question came up: Will she move to Nashville with me? OR will I move to Memphis with her? Easy choice.
MEET THE MCGARRYS
McGarry Fam
Diane and I have 3 children, Samuel, Miah, and Joss (AKA Joss the Boss).
For us, Memphis is a top-tier city for food. You can find us trying something new, eating local as much as possible, and hyping each spot to our circle of friends. My motto: don’t be the one hearing about it, be the one talking about it.
When I’m not spending time with family, you can find me on the golf course (although I’m trying to make that a family event too, not everyone has fallen in love with golf just yet.)
You’ll catch me at some of Memphis’ municipal courses (Galloway and OP9 might be my favorite), at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, or Birdies.