What is your favorite ESA moment/memory so far?
During my first month or two at ESA, I was alone in the office and kept hearing strange banging noises. I couldn’t figure out where they were coming from, and no one else was around. Each time I heard the noise, I’d rush out to investigate, but it would stop. This went on for a couple of hours. Eventually, one of our lead scientists arrived, and I explained what was happening. She laughed and said, “Oh yes! That must be our gopher tortoises banging around in their boxes! I just came in to pick them up to bring them to the recipient site.” It was a funny moment.
What does it mean to you to be part of an employee-owned company?
Working at an employee-owned company is like being part of a big, happy family where everyone has a stake in the game. When you put in the effort and do a great job, it’s not just you who wins – the whole team does! It’s like being on a sports team where every pass, goal, and cheer counts. Knowing that your hard work helps everyone, including yourself, makes it all the more rewarding. So, let’s all roll up our sleeves and make some magic happen!
What keeps you coming to work here at ESA every day?
I enjoy coming to work every day, mostly in the office, because it’s not just about the tasks or projects; it’s about the people and the relationships that are continually built. Knowing that my efforts help us succeed makes every day rewarding. Working closely with my colleagues creates a supportive and collaborative environment. The camaraderie and respect we share make even the toughest challenges manageable and the victories even sweeter. It’s this sense of community and the joy of working together towards common goals that truly makes my job fulfilling and enjoyable.
What is your hidden or special talent(s)?
I can ride a unicycle. Need I say more? I can also juggle while riding. It’s a talent that was much sharper nearly 40 years ago. (I do realize I missed my calling in the circus.) Recently, I dusted off my old unicycle, the same one with the same tires from when I was 12. It’s a quirky skill that always gets a laugh. But I’ll be honest, these days it’s just a matter of time before the ambulance gets called in to scrape me up off the sidewalk.
What’s your favorite thing to do when you are out of the office?
I love cruising around the neighborhood in my golf cart, heading to the pickleball courts, and visiting friends. But the real joy comes from everything related to my daughter’s soccer life. Cheering her on from the sidelines, driving her to and from practices and games, and sharing the excitement with other parents are the highlights of my week. When I’m not on the soccer field, I love diving into home improvement projects, whether it’s painting, tearing down walls, or tackling plumbing and electrical work. These activities keep my life ultra-busy and exciting, blending fun, creativity, and family time into one amazing adventure.
If you had one free hour each day, how would you use it?
If I had 25 hours in a day, that extra hour would undoubtedly be swallowed up between diving deeper into work and spending more time with my daughter. I’d value the chance to be there for my daughter even more – attending her soccer practices, helping with homework, or just enjoying crazy moments together. Balancing work and family is a constant juggle, but with an extra hour, I’d make sure to give both the attention they deserve.
What are three skills that you bring to the ESA team? In other words, what should colleagues know to reach out to you about?
- Proposals, proposals, proposals: I’ve been in this game for more than twenty years. I’ve experienced quite a bit and can generally conjure up a game plan to address the most interesting or complex client requests. Keep in mind that as a marketing/proposal professional, it’s important to have a generally healthy understanding of the industry and most company operations.
- Marketing initiatives: Especially from a regional perspective, I tend to understand what prospective clients may want to see.
- Anything at all!: My phone is always on and I’m always happy to talk to you about it, business or personal, at any time. If you require answers, I’ll figure it out and get it done!
In a nutshell, what kind of work does your team do?
Being from the Southeast Region, my team is small. But in a nutshell, we do our best to win new work – we craft WINNING proposals! We make sure our proposals show off our strengths and meet client needs by doing market research and gathering information from various departments and client managers. By keeping communication open and working together, we create well-rounded proposals that highlight our capabilities and help us win new business. This teamwork also strengthens our relationships with internal stakeholders.
Describe your role at ESA and the type of work you do.
As the Southeast Regional Marketing Director, my role is pivotal in driving business growth and securing new opportunities within my designated area, and sometimes beyond. I lead a small team in the development and execution of strategic marketing proposals, ensuring they align with the company’s goals and resonate with potential clients. My responsibilities include collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to create compelling (and compliant!) proposals and presentations. By fostering strong relationships with stakeholders and understanding regional market dynamics, I effectively position our company to win new business. My leadership and coordination skills ensure that all regional efforts are cohesive and targeted, ultimately contributing to the overall success of the organization.
What’s been your favorite project to work on here at ESA and what impact did it have on the community and/or environment?
Most of my work involves office and marketing/proposal tasks, but I once had the chance to go out on a project site with one of our lead scientists. On that day, I got to play “field tech” and help check gopher tortoise bucket traps in support of construction of a 10+ mile potable water transmission main. We successfully captured and relocated one tortoise. It was a small but memorable experience. Our team conducts protected species surveys to minimize the environmental impact of this project.
Have you had the opportunity to work on any career-defining projects?
The vast majority of my work focuses on securing new business for the company, primarily through proposals. While it’s hard to pinpoint a single “career-defining” moment, the collective effort and teamwork involved in every project are what truly stand out. The ESA Southeast team is composed of some of the best in the industry, and their dedication and involvement in all our marketing efforts are what drive our success. Each proposal we develop and every new opportunity we secure contributes to a career defined by collaboration, excellence, and continuous growth.
