People You Should Know: Anne Williams
President, JobFinders Employment Services
AGE: 53
JOB DESCRIPTION: My job includes organizing, structuring, planning and making decisions that are necessary for the company to meet its goals without compromising its/my personal ethics and community-relations standards.
YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: Since 1972.
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Decatur, Ill.
EDUCATION: Attended the University of Missouri and Columbia College with majors in psychology and business administration.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Ambassadors, Women’s Network, Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Women’s Council, Human Resources Association of Central Missouri, Boone County Republican Women, Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Sales, customer service and management positions in a wide variety of local businesses. Was the first female Elks Club manager. Worked for Malachi’s restaurant, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Columbia College, an employment agency and Livestock Nutrition Laboratory. In 1986 JobFinders Employment Services opened and started finding clients jobs in clerical and administrative rolls—and entry- to mid-level management jobs in Columbia area. Branched out in 1991 to include recruiting mid-range management to C-level executives in engineering, information technology, sales, marketing, management and administration. In 1995 we opened TempFinders, a division that staffed temporary workers for local companies. In 2001 the companies merged back into one as JobFinders Employment Services.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE: There are two. The first is Charlie Gibbons because when I started my business he was the first person to give me business and said, “You can do this. Keep your head up high and your nose clean.” He is a man of great integrity and supports small businesses and women in business. The other is Holly Smith-Berry for hanging in there. Holly left her secure corporate-America job to join the ranks of the self-employed. She has endured the ups and downs, ins and outs, and has learned more about business in the last four years than she ever wanted to know. She now has two companies.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: I love to see the look on a job candidate’s face when the company we represent has just offered the candidate the job he/she really wants. I also love to learn about new industries, new technologies and the goals and missions of the companies we represent.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING: I hope I would be developing and putting on workshops for women who want to start their own businesses while balancing work, life and family.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME: Going from being more of a behind-the-scenes person to being outgoing and able to get out and “sell” the mission of JobFinders. I learned it is more important to get to know people and try not to worry about the rest.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: In March I was instrumental in developing and implementing a three-day symposium for Missouri Women Leaders encompassing education, legislation and the political process in Missouri.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: The recruiting business is fast and furious because the staffing industry employs more than 2.9 million people per day.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: I like to travel with friends and family, trout fish, read, shop and plan parties.
FAMILY: I am one of six kids and a middle child. Married to Gene (retired from Sears Roebuck) for 29 years. My daughter, Kimberly, lives in Dallas, Texas, and works in the staffing industry.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: I just love every place I have ever been in Columbia.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: I accomplished staying in business after Sept. 11, 2001, without having to let any employees go. It took all the guts I had and all the money I could raise to sustain the business the next 15 months.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT: In 1976, I hit a car that had no turn signals on (got sued for injuring a cat). About three days later I was on my way home from Fulton in a rental and flipped the car, plus hit a cow (got sued for injuring the cow). About three more days passed. I worked 18 hours in Jefferson City and drove home until I fell asleep in front of the Sky Hi Drive In (as it was letting out). Yes, I wrecked the car, but no ticket was issued that time. Three wrecks in eight days. Nothing since has compared.