Director of External Relations and Communications, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel for 6.5 years.

Education: MS in Education, Western Carolina University

Family: Three children, Dean, Jerelyn and Lucy; three grandsons, two granddaughters and two great grandchildren

We Asked:
1: How did you become interested in your profession and what brought you to your current job?
2: What do you like most about your job?
3: What do you like least about your job?
4: What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
5: What is your favorite leisure time activity?
6: What is the last book you’ve read/movie you’ve seen/music you’ve heard that inspired you?
7: Tell us about a person or organization in Jackson County whose work you admire?
8: What keeps you living in Jackson County?
9: Where is your favorite place in Jackson County?
10: What is your hope for the future of Jackson County?

1: When I first started working at the casino, I was hired as the Cherokee Development Program Manager to develop and oversee a program that would prepare tribal members for management positions. Having been an educator for over 20 years, I was very interested in working with adults in a “novel educational setting.” Later, the position of External Relations opened up and with its emphasis on community and government relations. I felt I had a broad-based experience to bring to the business. Later, Communications was added to my department. I have a very competent staff of only five who I feel do the work of 10 people.

2: There are many aspects of my job that I love, but I believe I like the people I work with the most. This casino business is a very demanding business because it’s 24/7, 365 days a year, so it requires a very committed group of employees who also must deliver great customer every one of those days, and by gosh they do it! I’m always impressed with the positive attitudes and strong work ethics that I encounter every day. In addition to the people I work with each day, I am also fortunate to be in a position where I’m always meeting new people from outside my workplace. Sponsorships and donations are under my domain, so I get to meet many wonderful people who are serving others through the many organizations in our state and region.

3: I suppose after so many years in education, I still miss looking forward to expecting a day off on a holiday! In this business, holidays are the busiest times, so they are not givens!

4: Work hard, be honest, and if you ever get discouraged, remember if one door closes, another one always opens, so don’t overlook your opportunities.

5: I like to read.

6: No response given.

7: I admire Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College for their efforts to promote economic growth and tourism. The university is in a prime position to not only move Jackson County forward, but the region as well. We must begin to think regionally, and not limit ourselves to our own counties and neighborhoods, and these higher educational institutions have the capacity to be far-reaching in their impact.

8: I was raised in the Jackson County section of the Qualla Boundary, but after marrying, I moved to Swain County. However, the casino is located in Jackson County so I now work in the county.

9: Of course, for me, it’s the Jackson County section of the Qualla Boundary where I was born and raised.

10: That it will continue to be an example for other small towns in revitalization and will continue to provide job opportunities for its residents. Our young should not have to leave their communities to find good jobs, and as adults we need to be encouraging their higher education or technical pursuits so they can give back to their community, but without jobs, we will lose a well-trained workforce to other towns and cities.