National Naval Officers Association Member, Paducah Alumae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated Member, Concord Elementary School Site Based Decision Making (SBDM) Council Member, United Way PALS Mentor, Washington Street Baptist Church Youth Leader & Sunday School Teacher, Washington Street Warming Center Registrar, Paducah Professional Women Member What are your most significant professional accomplishments to date? Throughout my Coast Guard career, I’ve led high-impact operations that have strengthened both national security and local communities. As Executive Officer at Marine Safety Unit Paducah, I directed complex maritime operations across 469 miles of waterways supporting $33 billion in annual commerce, leading responses to historic low-water conditions and the largest Clean Water Act violation in Western Rivers history and resulting in the safe removal of 166,000 gallons of hazardous waste. Previously, I created a national outreach initiative connecting the Coast Guard with Minority Serving Institutions, increasing recruitment opportunities for underrepresented students and helping diversify the officer corps. Earlier in my career, I served in the Coast Guard’s Hurricane Harvey and Irma response, coordinating hundreds of personnel and assets during one of the largest disaster relief operations in U.S. history. These experiences reflect my commitment to service, innovation, and leadership under pressure. What makes you stand out in your industry or field? I believe what sets me apart is my commitment to servant leadership. While operational excellence is important, I measure success by the people I develop along the way. Whether I’m coordinating complex maritime operations, mentoring junior Coast Guard members, teaching youth at my church, or organizing community outreach initiatives, my focus is always on leaving people better than I found them. I also bring a unique perspective by combining technical leadership with empathy. I believe strong leaders can accomplish the mission while still investing in people. Throughout my career, I’ve worked to build trust, foster inclusion, and create opportunities for others to grow into leaders themselves. Leadership Paducah Class #40, Charity League of Paducah New Member Chair, Paducah Chamber Connector Committee, Paducah Main Street Promotions Committee, Paducah Young Professionals Member, RPAC Realtor Committee What are your most significant professional accomplishments to date? I earned my real estate license before graduating from Murray State University, and within my first eight months as a REALTOR®, I sold over $1 million in real estate. That early momentum gave me the confidence to pursue a second passion: I opened Epic Collective, my own boutique storefront in Downtown Paducah, while continuing to work in real estate full time. Building two businesses at once has meant long hours and constant balancing, but it’s also allowed me to invest in Downtown Paducah’s growth from two different angles—helping people find homes and creating a space for community and creative expression through fashion. What advice would you give to other young professionals striving for success? Don’t wait for permission to be taken seriously. A lot of young professionals hold themselves back waiting for the “right” age, the right title, or enough experience to feel qualified—but confidence and competence are built by doing the work, not by waiting for the timing to feel perfect. My advice is to say yes to the opportunity before you feel fully ready for it and then hold yourself to a high standard once you’re in it. Show up prepared, stay disciplined even when no one is checking on you, and don’t be afraid to be the youngest person in the room. People will always have opinions about your age or your timeline. Let your work speak for itself instead of trying to convince anyone you belong there. You’ll prove it, not explain it. What makes you stand out in your industry or field? People tend to assume confidence comes with age. I’ve had to build mine early, and on purpose. At 23, I’m often the youngest person in the room, whether it’s a real estate negotiation or a Chamber board meeting, and I’ve learned that staying disciplined is what earns you the right to be there, not just your age on paper. That mindset is what let me open Epic Collective while running a full-time real estate business, and it’s what keeps me showing up to rooms most people my age would talk themselves out of. Lieutenant Commander Tia R. Grandville Sponsored by Realtor, The Epic Group, eXp Realty Owner, Epic Collective Executive Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah Lilly Brown 22 SEPTEMBER 2026
