Back to Deaconland: Todd (’85) and Kathy Bourne (’85) Borton

When Todd (’85) and Kathy Bourne (’85) Borton decided to leave Florida several years ago, they weren’t chasing a job. Unlike earlier in their marriage, when their careers took them to Chicago, Atlanta and finally Weston, Fla., Todd Borton was in a position to work essentially anywhere he wanted — and they chose to return to Winston-Salem.

“We could choose where we wanted to go next and not let the job choose,” said Todd, who works out of his home as an investment consultant; most of his clients are in the Southeast. “We considered where we really wanted to be to raise our family and to stay put,” said Kathy. The Bortons have two children, Michael, now 14, and Chandler, 12

They set their sights on North Carolina because of family in the area, the weather and close proximity to the mountains and coast. Todd — an accounting major originally from Chicago — and Kathy — a math major originally from Kingsport, Tenn. — had remained active with Wake Forest since their graduation, and that led them to take a closer look at Winston-Salem. “We asked ourselves, ‘where do we have some known connections?’” Todd said. “That was Winston-Salem and Wake Forest. There was a familiarity here. From the day we unpacked the boxes we felt like this was a community we belonged in.”

Much of their life revolves around Wake Forest sporting events, from attending football, basketball and field hockey games, to summer athletic camps for the children. “We didn’t foresee the impact of all the sports programs,” said Todd, who played catcher on the Wake Forest baseball team in 1982. “Where else would you have that level of programs in your backyard.”

They’ve been impressed with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools and like the flexibility of being able to choose their neighborhood school or other “themed” schools within a zone, as well as the various magnet and gifted programs offered. “I can’t think of another place where we would be so happy with the whole package,” Todd said. “The city and University fit so perfectly with our lives.”

— Kerry M. King (’85)
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