about

In 2001, after attending a women’s conference with two good friends/colleagues, we came to the realization that we had the combined gifts and talents to start our own business, but we weren’t sure what direction it should take. As soon as I read about virtual assistance in The Cary (NC) News, however, I knew this was the path I was destined to take!

A year later, I blazed my own trail by enrolling in AssistU, the premier Virtual Assistance training program. I graduated in October 2002 and soon thereafter opened virtualme, inc. The rest, they say, is history.

My VA career prelude. . .

Prior to becoming a VA, I was employed for more than 20 years as an administrative professional in both the private and public sectors. Since much of my corporate work was customer service, public relations, marketing and communications oriented, I specialize in providing these services for my clients. As I mentioned on my home page, I have a passion for all things food- and wine-related, and particularly enjoy working with professionals associated with the culinary, wine, sustainable farming and hospitality trades.

My past employers include the North Carolina Department of Transportation and First Flight Centennial Commission (in Raleigh, North Carolina); the law firm of Fox, Bennett & Turner and The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (in Washington, DC); and BellSouth Corporation (both in Atlanta, Georgia and Washington, DC).

Throughout my career, I acquired and honed many valuable skills that I bring to my clients as their VA. They include:

Communications. I have excellent written and oral communication skills. I’m adept at asking the right questions to build consensus and don’t shy away from confrontation. As is often said, most arguments are not 95%/5%, they are 49%/51%. This means that consensus—and the best solution—is often just one question away.

Event Planning and Coordination. I have planned and coordinated numerous significant events involving thousands of people, including federal, state and executive branch officials, international political figures, and members of the media. My experience has taught me how to work under deadlines with a limited budget and that no detail is too small to be overlooked, from invitations to handouts to dynamic presentations and memorable finales.

Leadership. I’m skilled at building consensus among diverse groups and able to effectively lead and inspire others to accomplish their best work. I believe that anyone is capable of being a leader and I enjoy bringing out this quality in others.

Organization. I’m a true believer in the importance of organization and am a strong proponent of Florynce Kennedy’s philosophy of “Don’t agonize; organize!” With early and solid organization, no project is insurmountable.

Technology. I enjoy learning new technologies and have the perseverance necessary to put ideas into practice. I’m known as a problem-solver with a reputation for solid results. I have a proven knowledge of HTML and experience in WordPress Web design and maintenance.

My food and wine infatuation. . .

My love affair with food began in my early teens when I recall watching a portly chef on PBS on Sunday afternoons cook huge pots of sauces and incorporate them into savory dishes. I was enamored with the way he used his oversized kitchen utensils to prep the food. His name now escapes me, but definitely not the impression he left upon me. I know I’m dating myself by admitting this, but I also used to watch such legendary cooks as Julia Child, Jacques Pepin and Graham Kerr. Then when Food Network came along (and more recently, Cooking Channel), my passion for food was fueled even further!

When I became of drinking age, I developed a great appreciation for wine and wanted to learn everything I could about how to pair it with my other favorite thing: food. Over the years, I have attended my fair share of wine festivals and wine-tasting dinners, and more recently, I joined the Triangle Chapter of the American Wine Society, the Triangle Wine Enthusiasts and Snob Free Wine. Much of my social life revolves around gathering with good friends to eat good food and drink good wine.

My other hats. . .

Outside of the office, I’m a contributing wine columnist for Boom! Magazine, a lifestyle resource for active baby boomer adults. I’m also an enthusiastic volunteer—serving on both the Office Administration (Chair) and Plus 50 Advisory Committees for Wake Tech Community College. I’m also a board member and the PR Committee Chair for the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, a cultural arts and historic preservation organization. I previously held the positions of Vice Chair for the Town of Cary’s Sister Cities Commission, and Board Secretary for Chix in Business, Inc., a grassroots organization of women business owners in Raleigh.

I’m a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and attended Georgia State University. I now live with my husband in Cary, North Carolina. When I’m not working or volunteering, I’m an herb gardener, a foodie, a wine taster, an avid Food Network, Cooking Channel and HGTV follower, a world traveler, an Italophile, an aviation buff, an occasional hockey fan, a golf dabbler, and a reader of detective novels.