Hi Stephanie, thanks for joining us. Let’s just start by taking us back to when you joined the company and telling us that story.

That’s a long rollback. (laughs) My high school did an on-the-job training type of program, and a high school teacher heard that Walsworth was looking for someone to do design work in Quark. I had a lot of experience with both graphic design and Quark, so my teacher recommended me for the position. I started working for the company in 1995, right out of high school.

And what kinds of stuff were you doing when you started out?

I worked in Desktop Publishing and was in that department for about five or six years. I did a little bit of everything – some proof checking, some CD paneling.

And right as they were starting to kick off the PDF program, the Customer Service Department created a whole new team they called the Desktop Team, where I worked for a couple years. For the Desktop Team, I would contact our customers when they had missing file links.  I would then provide those links to Desktop for printing.

From there, I transitioned over to QRT (Quality Response), and while doing this work, the Computer Support department needed extra help, so a few of us would take rollover calls to help Computer Support. A year or so later, I applied and got into Computer Support, where I started as a Support Technician and then eventually became the Computer Support Supervisor.

After that, you moved and left the company for a bit?

Yes, we moved to California. My husband had been working construction in California and was just loving it. I was 38 years old and had lived in Brookfield my whole life. So I decided I wanted to try something different. I loved my job, but I just felt like it was something I needed to try.

In California, I worked for Hewlett-Packard. They had a contract with Kaiser Permanente Hospitals, so I was leading a couple teams that went into hospitals and removed their computers and printers and stuff.

Once that project ended, we made the decision to move back to Missouri and shortly after, I took the job with Walsworth as Testing Supervisor.

With your current role now, can you describe what your specific duties are?

In the Testing group, our number one responsibility is testing our software. That’s Online Design, Yearbook Snap, Staff Snap and our InDesign Enhancements.

We also research. We work closely with Computer Support and the Yearbook Customer Service group to research technology-related questions they receive. Once researched, we open JIRA tickets to let our developers know what needs to be addressed in our programs.

What do you feel has allowed Walsworth to be as successful as it has been?

Respect for the customer and the employees. I have met and talked to Don Senior before, and of course the same with Don and now Tripp. I’ve always found that they listen and they take things into consideration.

You spent a lot of time in Computer Support where you had more direct touch with customers. Did you enjoy that and do you miss it?

I do miss it. I used to be a shy person and the opportunity to stand in front of customers and talk with them really helped break me out of my shyness.

And you know I have customers today that I’m still friends with; people I still talk to on Facebook. To have not just that work relationship, but also that personal relationship, is special.

You’ve seen a lot of technological change in your time with the company. What stands out to you in that regard?

Well you know, I came in during an era of yearbook design where you were literally cutting photos and pasting onto the pasteboards and things like that.

What stands out to me is how fast our teams have adapted to change. It’s been super impressive to see members of our team identify and learn new programs. Walsworth has never been scared to take a leap of faith and adopt new technology.

Outside of work, can you tell us a little about your family?

We’re all pretty much homebodies and a super close-knit family. I’m the oldest of four kids. When I go home, my mother still waits up for me to come in if she knows I’m coming in late.

I spend a lot of time just hanging out with my husband Boyd. We now also have a niece who lives with us.

Probably one of my favorite things to do outside of work is just get in the car, turn on music and drive. Doesn’t matter where we’re going; no set time; not even a set place. We just get in the car.

And you grew up in Brookfield?

Born and raised. Went to Brookfield R-3 Elementary and High School and graduated from there.

Any other hobbies?

I love to craft. That’s probably my biggest hobby right now. I’ve got a whole room in my house dedicated to nothing but crafting stuff. When I get a project in my head, I’m 100% dedicated to it.

I enjoy reading. I don’t get to read as much as I used to, but if I can’t find a new craft project, I’m probably going to grab a book and just be sitting and hanging out reading.

Do you have a favorite book or author? Anything like that?

My favorite author would be Dean Koontz. I love murder mysteries and a lot of sci-fi. I actually just watched Stranger Things. I was so crazy about it and put off watching the last episode because I didn’t want it to end.

You mentioned Stranger Things. Got any other favorite movies or TV shows?

I just got into Poker Face, with Natasha Lyonne. That’s been really interesting. I love her.

My favorite movie series would be Lord of the Rings. I was shocked I loved them so much. And then Harry Potter. 

Do you have a favorite food?

Probably pizza. That’s kind of boring, but I’m a pepperoni pizza lover. My niece even said to me the other night, “we eat a lot of pizza.” I said, “yes because we love pizza.” 

Has there been a favorite vacation destination or place you guys love to visit?

Probably Colorado. We got married at Garden of the Gods, and I tell my husband that if we ever decide to truly retire anywhere, I want to retire to Colorado Springs.

I just love the mountains, and there is something about the Colorado mountains. I’m in heaven.

What’s one thing about you that most people wouldn’t know?

I don’t know how many people know that I’m terrified of clowns. But yeah, it’s mostly Ronald McDonald. (laughs)

Another would be my shyness. People know me now, and they say no way. But I was really shy into my mid-20s. I did not like to approach people. I was a very quiet person.

If you had a personalized coffee mug, what would it say?

Oh gosh. Probably “I’m ready for a nap.” (laughs)

Do you have a favorite memory from your career, or an accomplishment that you’re most proud of?

After I left Computer Support, my husband and I ran into two people I used to supervise at the movie theater, and they gave me this huge hug. They started talking to my husband about our careers together, saying how they loved working for me and every day was a pleasure to come in.

That’s huge for me because I believe to be a good supervisor you have to literally treat people the way you want to be treated. And that let me know I was doing the right thing.