Thomasville native Jackson Whitlock starts new job selling luxury outdoor spaces

Jackson Whitlock, a 2026 graduate of High Point University, has begun working as a sales consultant for Piedmont Decks and Outdoor Living. The company operates in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where Whitlock sells luxury outdoor spaces. He guides customers through the firm's design process, which includes initial consultations, collaborative 3D design work, and showroom appointments. Whitlock’s goal is to find the best solution for each individual client. He is from Thomasville, North Carolina, and majored in sales during his time at the university.

Whitlock credits his academic training for preparing him for the demands of the role. He stated that the frequent presentations and sales role plays required in his major helped him become comfortable pitching products. These exercises also helped him feel at ease when asking people for their business. He noted that these practical skills were essential for his transition from campus to the workforce.

His interest in sales developed during a campus tour before he started classes. Whitlock originally planned to major in Criminal Justice to pursue a career in law enforcement. During an open house, he attended a seminar hosted by Larry Quinn, a professor of the practice of sales. Whitlock said that specific lecture motivated him to change his career path and choose sales instead. He also mentioned taking two classes with Andrew Tzavaras, the interim chair and assistant professor of history. Tzavaras interviewed Whitlock for the Presidential Scholars Program before his freshman year. Whitlock found Tzavaras’ teaching style fun and noted that his mentor showed him how much better a career is when one is passionate about the work.

Whitlock utilized the university’s Office of Career and Professional Development to build his resume. He also used the office’s resources to improve his LinkedIn profile. He said he puts God first in all things he does. He also values his family and his hometown of Thomasville. He offered advice to underclassmen at the school. He told them to find something they enjoy and chase it. He added that students should not worry about having too much on their plate because nothing worth having comes easy.