1. How long have you been in your field?
I have been with State Farm for almost 28 years. I have been in FM since 2005.
2. What other professional organizations are you involved in?
None
3. Tell us something that not many people may know about you?
I have three children and two of them are twins.
4. What was your first job?
My first job was at Eckerd Drug Store.
5. How did you end up in facility management or the position that you are in?
When I started my career at State Farm almost 28 years ago, I was working as a Mail Clerk in Commercial Underwriting. One of the fortunate aspects about working for a company like State Farm is that the sky is the limit on what you can do if you work hard and show that you are flexible to change. After several years of going to school at night to obtain my four year degree, I became a Claim Representative. One day an internal job posting for a Supervisor in Administrative Services came open and I said I would love to try that. I put in for the position and was blessed to get the job. Administrative Services is a very broad department to work in at State Farm. We have responsibility for many areas such as; Mail Services, Imaging, Purchasing, Transportation, IT-Technical Services, Facilities Management, Security, Loss Prevention, to name a few. Approximately 12 years ago, I was requested to move from supervising Mail Services to supervising Facilities and that was the biggest challenge and most gratifying position on my career track thus far.
6. What is your personal secret to success or personal motto?
I feel there are several not so secrets to success; work hard, be open to change, get a mentor along the way that is willing to tell you the things you don’t want to hear, listen more than you talk, and respect everyone.
7. What has been the most important aspect that has contributed to your success?
Support from my parents, my husband and mentors all along the way.
8. What has been the greatest challenge you’ve experienced in your career?
Hurricane Katrina because there were so many people hurting and we could only do so much each day. You wanted to help everyone but there were only so many hours in a day. It was hard to see children digging through piles of clothing in an open parking lot with nothing but what they had on, no home to go to, no kitchen to have dinner in, when just days before their life was normal. But that is what it is all about – helping people when they need you most. It makes you humble and grateful.
9. How do you de-stress?
I love sports and watching my kids play them. I also love to spend a great deal of time at the beach and I try to do that as much as possible. Lastly, I love to read a good book.
10. How has your Atlanta Chapter IFMA membership benefited you and/or your career?
IFMA has opened a lot of doors for me to continue building my career in FM; obtaining my CFM was one of those benefits. I have also met a lot of great folks that I am able to turn to when I have questions I want to bounce them off someone who may have more experience than myself.
11. What is your favorite Hobby?
Reading and spending time at the beach doing nothing.
12. What is your business philosophy? Favorite quote?
“In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle stand like a rock.” Thomas Jefferson
13. Have you read any good books or seen any good movies lately? What did you like about it?
The last book I read for pleasure was the Game of Thrones series. I liked the series because it takes you to other places and times and presents things you would never otherwise encounter.
The last book I read for work was the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team. I liked it because it helps you to bring out the things in your own team you might not feel comfortable putting out there but after reading this you know you have to in order to get better.
14. What do you find the most challenging at your job?
People
15. If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?
Thomas Jefferson or Plato
16. What aspect of your role do you enjoy the most?
Making things run smoothly and nobody knows it.
17. What is your greatest personal achievement?
My three awesome kids
