Getting to Know our New CEO, Angie Kendall: Part 2

Best book you've read for fun?

I could never choose a best book. I love reading so much! I would say that The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah sent me on a journey reading some incredible historical fiction pieces over the past couple years, which is a genre I didn’t spend a lot of time on before but have truly enjoyed. In the past year, I also really enjoyed A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith and City of Girls: A Novel by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Best book you've ever read for growth?

I can’t pick a favorite here either! I am always reading a fiction book every night before bed and listening to a non-fiction book on Audible on my commute and between meetings. I like Brene Brown, Glennon Doyle, and Jen Hatmaker but try to challenge myself to learn from different perspectives. This year I also really enjoyed The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman and So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo.

Favorite thing to do in the Quad Cities?

Checking out new businesses and activities. I love checking out new spaces and sharing them with others. Every year my husband and I have a winter staycation, staying in a local hotel and exploring all our favorites and checking out new ones. We are reminded how lucky we are to have such incredible small businesses in the area!

If you had to eat only one thing for the rest of your life what would it be?

Probably pizza. There are so many great combinations and I’ve been working on mastering a homemade dough and sauce recipe during quarantine.

What is your favorite travel destination?

Anywhere with water. We are lucky to have family near the ocean and love going to see them. On weekends our family loves being on the river. Our stress immediately melts away in the sun and we have some of our most fun days on the water.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?

A teacher. I was set on being a second grade teacher, even through much of college!

What's the single best piece of advice you ever received?

Most recently, “You will make mistakes. Just don’t double down when you do.” This resonated with me as we navigate this time, we’ve never experienced any of this before and we will stumble. When we do, we will stand up, acknowledge our mistake, and fix it.

Sweet or salty snacks?

Sweet and salty!

Coffee or pop?

Coffee is my love language. The very best days start with a cup of Colombian coffee (black) and breakfast burrito from 392 Caffe.

What weird food combinations do you really enjoy?

I love peanut butter on my cheeseburgers! It’s something I picked up when visiting my brother in Mississippi.

Pancakes or waffles?

Cinnamon roll pancakes from QC Pancake House!