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back to a more familiar environment that would continue to add to the retirement benefits and knowledge that I have
<br />already earned from working within municipalities for many years.
<br />In November of 2003, I returned to municipal government at the City of Jasper (Pop. 7,000) as Executive
<br />Assistant to the City Manager. I enjoyed a wide variety of duties as administrative support to the City Manager, Mayor,
<br />and Council while acting as liaison to all city staff and citizens as well. As most cities do, a season of discontent had
<br />swept over the leadership of the city that resulted in thirty seven of the one hundred fifteen employees leaving by
<br />choice or termination, including the City Manager, Human Resource Director, and several other key management
<br />positions. I filled in as the only ÑHR personÒ for five months with a freeze on hiring for four of those months. I
<br />coordinated the hiring of approximately eighteen in the last month while performing all HR functions and my regular
<br />duties.
<br />Still extremely short staffed, Hurricane Katrina evacuees inundated Jasper and then one month later, Hurricane
<br />Rita hovered over the city for six hours, devastating the city. It was the most memorable and educational event that I
<br />experienced while working in Jasper. Under the direction of the Finance Director/Interim City Manager, the employees
<br />pulled together and ÑlivedÒ at City Hall for two weeks straight until electric and water services were restored. Then
<br />came FEMA! The administrative process was a nightmare and job descriptions were greatly expanded. I became
<br />responsible for insurance claims on city property, coordinating repairs, and ensuring FEMA documentation for
<br />reimbursement was completed.
<br />The leadership of the City of Jasper continued to crumble and I decided it was time for a calmer atmosphere
<br />that provided a challenge and chance for advancement. In 2006, I was offered the position of City Secretary in Dayton,
<br />Texas. As I have mentioned before, in a small town (Pop. 7,000) you do a little of everything and this opportunity offered
<br />me quite an education. I become the Ñgo toÒ person for everything that went on in City Hall. My duties included
<br />preparation of agendas and minutes, coordinating council, P&Z, and Park Commission meetings, records management,
<br />public information request, general, special, and bond elections, media liaison, vehicle title and registration, contract
<br />management, bid publications, openings, and notification, prepare and administer department budget, certify alcohol
<br />permits, coordinate special events, maintain reference and law library, track legal issues, and provide administrative
<br />support to the City Manager, Mayor, and Council.
<br />On the early morning of September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike blew through bringing havoc and devastation once
<br />again. Located 50 miles from the hardest hit areas of Galveston Bay and Bolivar Peninsula, I found myself in recovery
<br />mode. It was a wild and scary night sleeping on the floor of my office and a very trying several weeks to follow, but
<br />once again, I earned the ÑI SurvivedÉÒ T-shirt!
<br />While in Dayton I enrolled in the Texas Municipal ClerkÔs Certification Program and received my certification in
<br />2009. I have recertified in 2013 and will recertify the third term in 2018. Membership in the Texas Municipal Clerks
<br />Association has given me the confidence, resources, and knowledge to carry my personal and professional future to a
<br />higher level. I hope to achieve my Master Clerk certification in the near future with the International Institute of
<br />Municipal Clerks. I also plan on completing my degree in public administration or business management. Completion
<br />of my degree will give me the credentials to parallel the experience I have gained with twenty years of municipal
<br />experience. I feel that if you ever stop learning, your life is over.
<br />Wanting bigger challenges, I moved to the City of Frisco, Texas (Pop. 180,000), in 2009 were I served as City
<br />Secretary for nine years. I have enjoyed working in a very dynamic and affluent city that has been designated as the
<br />fastest growing city in the United States and one of the ÑTop 5 Cities to Live InÒ. It is affectionately referred to as the
<br />Bright and Shining Star. It has been very exciting and challenging, I love what I do, and learned a great deal. Some of
<br />the business deals that transpired in Executive Session were amazing! The past few years have brought The Dallas
<br />Cowboys World Headquarters and other developments that have named a one mile stretch along the Dallas North
<br />Tollway, as the Ñ5 Billion Dollar MileÒ and growing. Frisco has challenges that rival Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, or Houston
<br />and as the Council and City Manager work through these issues, I have been fortunate to be there learning.
<br />I decided that my career in Frisco was an unbelievable learning experience and even though my position would
<br />be desirable by many Municipal Clerks, I was ready for a new challenge. I have been exploring the Ñright fitÒ for several
<br />months and hoped the City of Humble was it since it would afford me the opportunity to be closer to family and my
<br />home in Woodville, Texas where I plan to retire in the future. I have enjoyed living in the area and glad to be closer to
<br />home. I will be glad to discuss my reasons for seeking other employment in an interview.
<br />A move to the City of La Porte as City Secretary would be a challenge I am ready for. My previous experience
<br />of being a resident and employee of Dayton, Humble, and my husband working in Galveston for three years, has given
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