 |
||
 |
Current Issue | Past Issues | Contact Us | Advertising | MHEDA Home Page | Blog | Site Map | |
 |
|
|
Having Fun At Work And PlayShirley Robinson and Joanne Piacenza make the most of each day.Shirley Robinson, Financial ManagerWhen it comes to money matters, the buck stops with Shirley Robinson, MHEDA's one-woman accounting service. Shirley is a self-taught accountant with 38 years of money management experience, 18 with MHEDA. However, with Shirley, everything is definitely not all black and red. Since beginning as an accountant, she has come to be responsible for much more. She consults members about billing, works with the member database and serves as the main contact for all of MHEDA's computer systems. The breadth of responsibility keeps Shirley on her toes and ensures she's always learning.
One might not think of an accountant as the envy of her friends, but for Shirley this is the case. “All of my friends always ask me how I lucked into getting this job,” she says. Over the years she has enjoyed working with MHEDA members, and is pleasantly surprised by the recent influx of women to the association. She explains, “When I first started there were very few women at Convention, and now you see quite a few women representing their companies.” The benefits of working with an organization like MHEDA are not lost on Shirley. “We are all very fortunate here to have the jobs we do,” she says. “Our members couldn't be nicer to us, and we're very lucky to work in an environment like that.” Joanne Piacenza, Membership CoordinatorDespite being hired on April 1, MHEDA Membership Coordinator Joanne Piacenza is no fool. Her outgoing personality is matched only by her work ethic and dedication to serving MHEDA. Joanne got her start with MHEDA doing part-time data entry. “I was a mom looking for a job, and the hours were perfect,” she says. Gradually her part-time position developed into a full-time career.
Like her MHEDA counterparts, Joanne has a wide variety of responsibilities. If you have ever called MHEDA directly, chances are you have spoken with Joanne. She is the first line of contact whenever a member calls the office. She also handles registration for Convention as well as the planning of MHEDA Board meetings. The added responsibilities keep things interesting for Joanne, and after 12 years she still has fun. “I just love my job. It's close to home, and I love what I'm doing,” she says. The highlight of Joanne's year is MHEDA's annual Convention. “I enjoy meeting the people who I talk to on the phone,” she says. When not in the office, Joanne keeps busy by doing things like competing on Wheel of Fortune (She won the bonus round!) or heading to Las Vegas to see NHRA drag racing. Often that involves spending time with her husband of 27 years, Al, and their two children, Marco and Michelle. One thing Joanne has learned throughout her life is the importance of making the most out of each day. She says, “I just get out there and do. With so much sickness in the world, you just realize you have to live life and go for the gusto!” |
||||||
 |
||||||
