Get to know: Jeff Nanney

Jeff Nanney is a project manager in Technical Operations and Planning (TOP). For the past six years, he has managed projects in video security, door access, parking, dining, human resources and financial services. Before joining UNC Charlotte, Nanney was a software developer and small business owner. When he’s not helping Business Affairs “do things better,” you can find him at concerts — lots and lots of concerts — especially Van Halen. And please, don’t hold his taste in football teams against him.

What TOP project have you most enjoyed working on during your time at UNC Charlotte? Why?

Video security was a fantastic project that needed someone to lead it out of multiple technologies. We had outdated software and servers, older cameras and a need to advance to an enterprise-level system to keep up with the growth of the University. Over a period of two years, we were able to consolidate two different software systems into the Avigilon system.

What do you think people would be surprised to know about your job or TOP?

How we strive to mitigate risk and to make sure communications among all stakeholders in projects are distributed in a timely and clear manner. Change is difficult to manage but we do our best to make sure all projects provide accurate timelines, accurate resource planning, and accurate risk assessment and communications.

What motivates you in your work?

The ability to make someone else’s job easy. I enjoy the ability to lead projects that affect changes that benefit faculty, staff and students.

What is the first concert you ever attended? How many would you estimate you have seen since then?

My first concert was Boston with special guest Sammy Hager.

I’ve seen hundreds of concerts from country, bluegrass, pop, rap, rock and heavy metal. I do have a list if anyone is interested, with Van Halen topping it at 14 times.

What do you enjoy most about live music? What is the best concert you have ever seen?

I love to watch the guitarist and drummers since I’m an amateur at both of them. I love to watch videos of the bands setup, what guitars, amplifiers and effects they use on them.

Best concert was probably the Rolling Stones back in the ‘90s, and I was not a big fan. I just wanted to see them live. U2, Metallica and Korn also are favorites.

You can only listen to five songs for the rest of your life. What are they?

Wow, this is hard as I have so many favorites. “Imagine” by John Lennon, “Watch Over You” by Alter Bridge, “Angel’s Son” by SevenDust, “Nutshell” by Alice in Chains and “Going to California” by Led Zeppelin

Outside of music, what else do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Spending time with my family and my new granddaughter, playing golf and watching Appalachian State Football. (I know, but I’m alumni!)

Interview: Christy Jackson
Photo: Jeff Nanney attending an outdoor concert.