May I introduce myself to you? Ok. But first, a few questions.

What defines who you are? Is it what you do? Who you know? Where you work?

For me, it is that I am a person of faith, a happy wife, a good friend, an innovative and creative entrepreneur, and an intuitive problem-solver.

In the course of my studies toward an Executive MBA in Leadership, I came across the definition of a career as being (and I paraphrase) the sequence of jobs that a person holds in a lifetime. I latched onto that definition because my career has taken me down an interesting road, not traveling just one trail but rather adventuring down new paths as they appeared. Let me share a few of the things I've done since college.

• As a software instructor, I have taught 270 learners ages 17-70 for 5 years in business college, community college, private small college, corporate, and in-home settings. I developed curriculum for 9 college courses, administered many skill and knowledge assessments, and utilized personality sorters to determine students’ preferred learning methods.
• As a writer, I wrote and self-published 2 step-by-step project-based computer books, wrote copy and designed layouts for 9 college sport glossy program guides, and produced a 150-page college department policy guide.
• As a desktop publisher, I revised and designed 4 corporate presentations, developed 6 websites, and created numerous forms, spreadsheets, and databases still in use today.
• As the director of NCAA compliance at a Division II college, I coordinated first-year compliance efforts, produced the annual report, assessed current compliance, and documented opportunities for improvement.
• As an entrepreneur, I created and managed a small business venture, which though it has ultimately not survived the 2 moves since 1999, was successful in providing customized training to computer users in both Kansas City and the Berkshires of Massachusetts.
• As a college volleyball coach, I recruited 12 new students, tracked 18 players’ academic progress, acted as an informal academic and social advisor, and effectively used leadership and teambuilding skills combined with personality study and motivation.
• As a human resources generalist, I created a streamlined system to receive, process, and track 2000 applications and synchronized scheduling of applicant testing and interviews.
• As a unit director, I successfully coordinated a staff of 7 college students for 8 weeks of 24-7 counselor duty in a confined wilderness environment.

In addition to the above-mentioned positions, I have helped coach two college basketball teams, taught in 3 community colleges, assisted the Academic Dean of a small private college, taught Theology to junior high students, and refereed women's power league volleyball. The path of my husband's career (college basketball coaching) has taken us to 5 states in as many years and the adventures have been well worth the few challenging times. I have learned to be resourceful and to rapidly assimilate myself into the cultures of the Upper Midwest, New England, Northeast, and Southern United States.

In the course of my career, I have learned three important lessons:
~ shorten your learning curve after each challenge,
~ always look for hidden opportunities, and
~ never be afraid to step out into that which is not known.

You may have deduced that I love challenges and adventures, have experience and expertise in several different areas, and have the ability to work with many different kinds of people. In addition, I love to travel (especially in the U.S. and western Europe), I try to read at least one book each week for fun, and I find ways to release stress and angst through sports, playing the piano, and taking our yellow lab Chase swimming in the Gulf (or whatever body of water we happen to live near).

I currently reside in Grove City, PA, but am spending June and July on the Gulf Coast of Alabama while my husband works on a Doctorate in Sport Management. Ahhh, the clear aqua water, the white sand, the brilliant sun, the HEAT and HUMIDITY! In our time here, one thing has stood out in stark relief: my skin! It appears that I am ALL Yankee. I can't even get a tan from a bottle! Oh, well. :o)

I'm really glad that you took a few moments to read my story. I appreciated your company and look forward to hearing from you. Contact me any time and enjoy the rest of your visit here.