Joel Lamp is the Sports Development Manager for the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, where he leads efforts to attract major sporting events and tournaments to the Rocket City. In this role, Joel works with national sports organizations, collegiate conferences, and event promoters to bring competitions to Huntsville that drive tourism, economic impact, and national visibility for the region.

Lamp brings more than two decades of experience in sports management, collegiate athletics, and event operations. Before returning to North Alabama, he spent over 16 years in Jacksonville, Florida, where he held senior leadership roles in collegiate athletics at both Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida. During that time, he helped organize and host multiple NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament rounds and numerous regional and national sporting events.

Originally from Decatur, Alabama, Joel returned to the Tennessee Valley to help grow Huntsville’s rapidly expanding sports tourism industry. Through his work with the Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Huntsville Sports Commission, he has helped position the city as a premier destination for tournaments, championships, and emerging sports events.

Joel is passionate about the power of sports to bring communities together, create economic opportunity, and showcase the unique energy and hospitality of Huntsville.

Learn more about Joel Lamp and the Convention & Visitors Bureau and Huntsville Sports Commission http://www.huntsville.org

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Watch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Amanda Hooten is the Founder and CEO of Blaze Solutions, a strategic marketing and branding firm that helps organizations clarify who they are, how they communicate, and how they grow. She’s known for helping leaders and companies turn complex ideas into clear, compelling stories that build trust and drive momentum.

Amanda is a strategic, people-first leader with deep experience in the defense industry — guiding programs, teams, and organizations through growth, complexity, and change.
Her background blends business strategy, program execution, and financial oversight, with a strong track record of building high-performing teams and delivering results. I lead with accountability, integrity, and a focus on clarity — aligning vision with action and making sure the right people are in the right roles to thrive.
Amanda holds an MBA with a focus in Accounting from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and bring over a decade of hands-on experience in program management, contract execution, and operational leadership.
Whether it's standing up a new initiative, turning around a challenged program, or scaling what's already working — She's all in.

Learn more about Amanda and Blaze Solutions http://www.blazesolutions.com

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Watch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/

Nicole Reynolds is the Sales and Production Manager at Apparel Lab, a custom apparel, merch, and printing studio in Madison, Alabama. In her role, Nicole keeps daily operations running smoothly by coordinating sales and production workflows, managing client orders, and ensuring that custom projects are delivered with care and precision. Known for her strong organizational skills and problem-solving mindset, she helps translate customer ideas into high-quality finished products with attention to detail and excellent service.

Outside of work, Nicole fuels her energy on caffeine, creative problem solving, and local travel—especially when it involves discovering great food and craft coffee. She also enjoys spending time supporting her daughter’s activities and cheering from the sidelines

Learn more about Nicole and Apparel Lab http://www.apparellab.ink

Host/Interviewer: M. Troy Bye, Owner, Our Town with Troy Bye, a brand of the Our Town Company, LLC

Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5NjTsQ72k00C5n7ghLapA

Watch on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0JwD62zXPncMeFeQdTVomHAudio only available in all other platforms where you get your podcasts.

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/our-town-w-troy-bye-50033a234/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourtownpodcast/