After graduating in 1985, I started persuing a career in law enforcement. After realizing that the salary for this position was much less than the goals I had set for myself, I applied for a job at Eastman Chemical Company. After being hired at Eastman in 1991, I worked in the plant for the first ten years of my career. Also I went back to school and took some classes at Northeast State. In 2000 I was selected to move to the purchasing department at Eastman where I have advanced my career to a procurement specialist. I am responsible for buying 35 commodities including vehicles, heavy equipment, centrifuges, lifting equipment, safety supplies, lubricants,welding equipment, abrasives, adhesives, sealants, tapes, refractories, etc. There are several million dollars of spend associated with these commodities on an annual basis.

I have traveled all over the US performing my job duties and have negotiated endless contracts and purchase orders. I have my accredited purchasing practitioner license and am currently working toward my Certified Purchasing Manager's license. I also graduated from Eastman's lab analyst apprenticeship program and have earned my cerfified internet webmaster license. Recently I returned from Germany after negotiating the purchase of a new 100 ton mobile crane.

My duties are very rewarding and have given me the opportunity to meet some very interesting people. I serve as Vice President on the board of directors for the Kingpsort Child Development Center and have worked extensively with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Upper East Tennessee and several other non-profit organizations.