Our July Employee Spotlight is an interview with Sheila Perry, who has been an Accounting Associate with Brooks Resources since April of 2006. She also serves as the unofficial IT resource for the company, acting as the “go to” person for technology related questions and problems. Sheila also says she has a long “other duties as assigned” list that she happily handles for the team.
Q: What’s a typical ‘day in the life’ in your role?
A: When I’m actually at my desk, I am usually doing something on the accounting side like financials, accounts payable, collections, etc. That being said, I am quite often making rounds of the office, helping others fix a computer problem, a cell phone problem, change toners or even toilet paper rolls!
Q: What are you passionate about when it comes to your job?
A: I like to help others and I don’t like to hold others up. If someone is waiting on me in order to take their next step, or if they are stuck and can’t work until I can come help with something, I try to respond quickly… and efficiently. Notice I say TRY because for as long as I’ve been doing the job, there are plenty of times I need to go back and fix something (I’ll admit it… over and over sometimes) or go away and do research to figure OUT how to fix it. But figuring things out makes me feel good and ready to take on the next challenge.
Q: What is the best way to start the day?
A: Oh come on… COFFEE!!!!
Q: Who inspires you?
A: My kids inspire me to be a good, hard working person and mom. I want them to learn to be respectful, kind, honest people who work hard in their lives. And I want them to be able to face a challenge and, instead of giving up, stand back and say to themselves “mom has done this plenty of times, which means I can too!” Those who have it much harder than I do also inspire me. By remembering and thinking about them, I can say to myself: “This is really a small thing (albeit difficult and sucky) which means I can do it!”
Q: What’s your favorite thing(s) to do when you aren’t working (hobbies)?
A: I don’t have too much downtime, but I love to read. Not on a device but with a good ol’ paperback in my hands! Of course, when the weather is nice, I’m sitting out in the sunshine and fresh air with my book.
Q: Tell me a little bit about your family (kids, pets, etc) and how you spend time together.
A: In my house, I have two incredible teenagers, my disabled dad, two dogs, a gecko and four ball pythons. That doesn’t count the constant stream of extra kids coming in and out on a regular basis. I know… sounds like a lot… and I wouldn’t trade it for the world! When we do spend our limited free time together, we usually play card games or have a movie night together, with all the JUNK food and drinks that come with it!
Q: What is your favorite thing about working for Brooks Resources?
A: The people I work for and with. I’ve said it a million times since starting at Brooks Resources – this job has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. How often can you say that you love who you work for and with and that you have no real complaints about any of it?
