Who are the people that our clients talk to, trust, and work with year after year? Get to know more about our agency by getting to know the people through our Employee Spotlight Series.
What do you do here at Wells and how long have you been here?
I am the operations director. I am responsible for facilitating all of the standard operating procedures across all divisions. I started here in August of 1999, so it'll be 24 years in August.
How did you get started?
I was born here but never lived here. I relocated most of my adult life. My father was in the Navy for 30 years and of my 18 years we moved 27 times, so we're used to picking up and moving. When my parents were getting older, they were retiring back here and they needed some support, so it was time to come back and help them. I came from Little Rock, Arkansas. My employer there knew Harold Wells and when I was relocating, they spoke with each other. I came in for an interview and started within commercial lines as a business account advisor.
Why Wells? What do you like most about working here?
I've always been fortunate to be with family organizations and they have a culture that is very warming. I like what they do. I like the values that they put out to the community, how they service their clients, and it's just made it a great place to be.
What do you like most about your specific job here at Wells?
It helped me get back to the latter part of my parents' lives. I was able to spend the last five years of their lives here with them, and this is really where I'd like to retire. It's just been a good experience to come and spend time here at the beach with my family and I enjoy it. It's always been a positive thing. I'm an optimist, so I try to find positivity in everything. You put me in a room of manure and I'm looking for a pony. I like to be able to coordinate things. I'm a very nosy person, and I like to know what's going on everywhere. Being the facilitator of operations I can know the best about everything, plus the worst about everything and help everyone bring it together and make it better.
What's the best lesson you've learned throughout your career?
Don't take anything for granted and change is inevitable.
Favorite TV Show?
The Big Bang Theory 
Favorite Movie?
Animal house.
Favorite Book?
Pride and prejudice.
Favorite Band?
My favorite musician is Barbara Streisand. My favorite band is probably Journey. 
What's your favorite non-profit/volunteer organization?
I do a lot within the mental health arena because I have a sister who has a mental health disability. So whenever there are specific fundraisers or a gathering of special needs, we try to work within consignment store or whatever is needed to help out. I think that most people with special needs are overlooked and I've been fortunate enough to spend time with people who require just a little extra care and they give the care back. That's what's so fabulous about it. I try to do as much of that as I physically can.
What's on your bucket list?
I want to go to Ireland, Scotland and Wales. So hopefully. In my retirement years, I can do that.
How do you define success?
Success is getting up every morning and wanting to go to work or to your favorite nonprofit, or whatever you have a passion for. I think your success is living your passion.
What's the most memorable part of your career?
I think the best thing that happens to us in this career is when we get the, “Thank you. I couldn't do it without you.” Clients are just like everybody else. If you fulfill their expectation or even exceed their expectation, they're going to remember you, and that's kind of a culture that we have here. Try to walk the talk and live that way. I hope that if my name is mentioned, someone will say, “Oh yes, she helped me with this.” 
What do you like to do when you're not working?
I love the beach, but only to walk it. I don't like to go in the water. I did that as a youth. I grew up in Southern California, so I think my time in the ocean without having incident has been adequate. I like to walk the beach, especially off season, and then I love the pools. I have a senior season pass at Jungle Rapids and do that Lazy River. If I ever win the Lotto, I'm building a lazy river. I enjoy swimming, walking. I'm an avid reader.
What's the best advice you've been given?
You're not that important. My mother just said one day, “You're not that important.” See beyond yourself, try to look at the big picture. I try to take everybody's involvement into consideration and how it affects everyone else, but then I usually do it my way anyway because I'm a type-A personality. I try not to hurt anybody in the process...LOL
Cheri has been in the business a long time and if there's an answer to a question, she probably knows it!
910-251-5425
