Ally started working for Gorilla Capital in 2007 as a part time office administrator, her first job out of college. After 6 months, she quit and moved to Redondo Beach, CA for a few years, but then moved back to Oregon in 2009. The stars aligned and Gorilla was in need of a temp in Nov 2009, and Ally was back at it! Since then, she has worked as an independent contractor in the now non-existent database department, as an office administrator, a brief stint as executive assistant to John, marketing assistant, marketing coordinator, and as of the last 4+ years, Marketing Manager. Ally loves the people she works with, the autonomy of her job, and bringing her dogs to work with her.
What technology innovation made the most impact on your life?
My stupid iPhone. I’m on it ALL the time.
If you could choose an age to remain forever, which age would you choose?
I would choose 28. That was the year before I hurt my back. Apparently your body is still relatively indestructible in your mid-late 20s! I had no idea how care free I was when I wasn’t worried about hurting myself all the time! But I would just want my body to stay that age, I definitely am appreciating getting older and wiser and having more meaningful relationships with friends and family as I get older. As they say, “Youth is wasted on the young!”
What is your favorite sport to watch?
I love to watch high level beach volleyball in person; sitting in the sand right next to the courts. It’s awesome! But that is very seasonal and limited, especially in Oregon, so I would say men’s college basketball. It’s great on TV and live!
If you had one free hour each day, how would you use it?
I would dedicate that hour to me! Working out or going on a walk, reading a book, napping outside [in my “free hour” the weather is always 75 and sunny and never raining so I can always be outside during my free hour!]
If you had a time machine, what point in the past or future would you visit?
I would have liked to go to Woodstock!
Share a personal fact no one would ever guess about you.
I was the salutatorian of my graduating class in high school. And I have all 4 of my wisdom teeth.
What fictional place would you like to visit?
Hogwarts!
What is a recent book that you have enjoyed? Why?
A Game of Thrones. I LOVE the TV show, and finally got around to reading the first book and couldn’t put it down. I love being transported to a different world and becoming emotionally invested in it. I teared up when the banner men named Robb “King in the North” at the end of the book…I was on a plane and had to put the book down for a bit. Other books I recently enjoyed are The Truth: An Uncomfortable Book about Relationships by Neil Strauss and Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins.
Over the course of your life, how many cities have you lived in and which was your favorite?
I’ve lived in 4 cities: Springfield → Eugene → Lake Oswego → Redondo Beach → Springfield. I am so happy to call Springfield home, but Redondo Beach was definitely the most fun. Varying degrees of perfect weather, I lived 1 block from the beach and the pier, and was surrounded by all the infectious energy of Los Angeles. It was a lot of fun.
What is the most important personal attribute that you bring to your job?
Pride in my work. I care about doing a good job and believe the way I do my job is a direct reflection of myself, my values, and work ethic. I always want to be proud of whatever task or project I’m working on and willing to stand behind it.
Did you know that a group of gorillas is known as a “band”? Read about other members of the Gorilla Capital band here.