Meet Dino Cartwright. He was born in Greece, raised all over the world and is proud to call Knoxville home. After attending high school in Kingston, Jamaica, he originally planned to study theater in London, but instead came to East Tennessee and studied the next best thing – he became a broadcasting major at Carson Newman College.
Arriving at 19-years-old in Jefferson City, having lived a mostly Mediterranean lifestyle, was a culture shock for young Dino. But having moved to new countries every two to three years due to his father’s Naval career and being raised by his Grecian mother with a fondness for entertaining meant Dino quickly acclimated to life in the South. “I grew up in the events world,” he says. “My parents were always hosting a cocktail party or fine dinners.”
Dino, always a rolling stone, began working in television. He had a passion to learn all aspects of the medium, beginning as a teenage intern at the (AFRTS) Armed Forces Radio Television Service. Dino poured his life into work and went on to lead a very successful career at WVLT-TV, where he served as director of marketing and promotions for 26 years.
What remained constant throughout his working years and remains today is his dedicated sense of community and giving to the area. “My sense of volunteerism is in my DNA. My mother was always giving time to the USO or the Red Cross or another organization off base,” Dino says. “I don’t like the word ‘no,’ I like the word ‘on.’ I want to emcee an event or design a room or sit on a committee.” He currently is involved in 75-80 events each year, whether it be as a volunteer or through his work for the last six years with the White Family Foundation.
“I’m a cruise director,” Dino laughs, “I get to do what I love every single day. Giving back is important to the White family and to me.” Although he is one person who can’t be everywhere, he certainly gives his all for communities in East Tennessee. “Sleep and I fight,” he says, “I don’t know how to slow down. I will always find a cause to get involved in.” His partner, Mitchell Moseley, keeps tabs on him and gives him a reason to stay close to home. However, both men enjoy traveling and frequently take long weekend trips to rest and recharge.
Style has always been very important to Dino, and he relies on many local tailors to stay sharp. John H. Daniel, Prestige Tuxedo, Wm. Henry and Marc Nelson are his favorite go-to establishments who clothe him. He is in such demand at events and cuts such a figure, he had to come up with a method for making sure he doesn’t wear the same outfit to similar events twice.
“Find your passion,” Dino advises, “Find what you love and it won’t feel like work.” The perpetually happy-go-lucky Cartwright is always going and always finding ways he can give back to the community. “Home is where the heart is, and this is now home.”