Candace, Jim and Debbie at IAWP Sea Palms
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AN INTERVIEW WITH
Candace Head, Jim Hunsinger and Debbie Wilbourn
The Georgia Employer Committee would like to share with its viewers the EMR's who are vital to the success of the Local Committees throughout the State. This month we meet and talk with EMR Candace Head, Jim Hunsinger and Debbie Wilbourn of the Columbus Career Center.
Tell us your name, your Career Center and how long you’ve been an EMR?
CH-JH-DW:Columbus Career Center serving Chattahoochee, Clay, Harris, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, and Talbot County, GA and Russell County, AL
We have a three person marketing team:
Jim Hunsinger has been a marketing rep since 1998. Prior to that he served as an LVER for three years.
Debbie Wilbourn has held a variety of jobs at the Columbus Career Center since 1977. She has been an EMR since 2000.
Candy Head joined the team in January of 2004 directly from the private sector.
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Do you have any special talents, hobbies or interests you’d like to share?
CH-JH-DW:JH – I enjoy spending time with my wife (Gayle) of 38 years and our grandchildren. I am also an avid tournament bass fisherman, hunter, beekeeper, and gardener.
DW – I enjoy time with my husband (Mike), daughter, son, and three (3) grandchildren. I like riding with my husband on his Harley, going to the beach, and sitting around our pool.
CH – Traveling is at the top of my list. I enjoy trivia, particularly old movies and TV. Reading is a passion. Socializing with friends and family for any reason is always good. Anything British, particularly sipping tea and Tudor England, commands my attention. I was a collegiate basketball player and just completed my eleventh Peachtree Road Race.
What led you to your position as an EMR and why?
CH-JH-DW:JH – I became an EMR because of my passion to help people. I felt networking and educating our labor force was the best way of accomplishing my goals.
DW – I have held various jobs within the department, working with job seekers (employed and unemployed), and employers. I was ready for a new challenge and more face to face exposure. The variety of tasks involved in the EMR position (job fairs, schools, family connections, rapid response, chamber networking, etc.) was the perfect fit.
CH – Actually, I was referred to my job by the LaGrange Career Center! In my “former life” I taught reading and study skills in private schools, was a children’s librarian, and spent eighteen (18) years as a travel consultant. My DOL Services Specialist in LaGrange recognized all of those transferable skills and, voila, here I am.
What community activities do you participate in as an EMR?
CH-JH-DW:All of us are on Employer Committee cooking teams for the Ronald McDonald House. We also “elf” (reindeer or Santa) for the Committee’s annual “Evening with Santa”. This year we are on the Committee’s House of Heroes team. Covering eight (8) counties, we attend numerous Family Connections meetings and Chamber functions throughout our area. Additionally, we speak at schools and other civic organizations. Jim is on the Columbus Technical College Manufacturing Advisory Board. Debbie serves on the Columbus Mayor’s Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities. Candy is on the Literacy Alliance Board and Partners in Education Communications Committee.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
CH-JH-DW:JH – Every day brings new challenges: LMI presentations, job fairs, career days, positive recruitments for new companies, rapid response for companies closing or restructuring. There is never a dull day and we are always educating and improving our current and future workforce.
DW – I enjoy change. Our EMR TEAM is wonderful: functions are always covered; everything in organized; there is no personal friction; and we are well balanced.
CH – I totally agree with Jim and Debbie. Variety is the spice of the EMR life and there is no more cohesive team anywhere. It is a flat out joy to work with those two every day. I also appreciate having opportunities to be creative.
What types of businesses or organizations make up your Employer Committee?
CH-JH-DW:We have a wide variety including manufacturing, staffing companies, public utilities, chamber of commerce, commercial bakeries, health care, insurance, financial, retail, and other government and public agencies. It is a good cross section of our area in both types of business and size of business.
What do you believe is unique about your Employer Committee?
CH-JH-DW:Our commitment to public/private partnership. Such partnerships are a hallmark in Columbus.
What do you believe is your Employer Committee's biggest challenge for your area, regarding the workforce?
CH-JH-DW:Fielding a qualified workforce in an expanding economy. Employees who understand and operate within the concept of strong work ethics.
Why should I join your Employer Committee?
CH-JH-DW:First hand access to “what’s new” with the DOL, a more personal working relationship with DOL staff, access to national decision makers via the State annual trips to Washington, DC, and working together outside of the business arena on projects that give back to the community.
How active is your Employer Committee working in the community?
CH-JH-DW:Our Committee is constantly growing and improving due to our regions positive growth. The Committee is very active in supporting the local community through innovative projects and charitable works. We cook dinner twice a month at the Ronald McDonald House, collect pull tabs in the “Pull for Ronald McDonald House” recycling campaign, sponsor affordable business seminars twice a year, host the “Evening with Santa” event for disadvantaged children each year, and this year are adding House of Heroes and Dress for Success as new projects.
Have you or your Employer Committee received any awards or special recognition?
CH-JH-DW:Columbus Employer Committee:
Community Service Project of the Year – 2002, 2004, 2006
Community Service Project of the Year 2nd Runner up – 2005
Project of the Year – 2nd Runner up – 2005
Ronald McDonald House 5 Year Service Pin – 2007/08
Ronald McDonald President’s Silver Award – 2007/08
EMR Team – IAWP Miller Merit Group Award – 2004
JH – EMR District 1 High Achievement Award – 2003
Friend of the Black Community Award – 2008
DW- IAWP J. Willie Roundtree Professional Award – 2001
District 1 Team Player Award – 2004
Governor’s Commendation DUA Team (Americus Tornado) – 2006
Writer – 1st Place IAWP Miller Merit Individual Award – 2006
IAWP Miller Merit Individual Award – 2007
CH – Writer – 1st Place IAWP Miller Merit Individual Award – 2007
EMR District 1 High Achievement Award – 2007
Graduate Commissioner’s EXCEL Program - 2008
What future trends does your Employer Committee see in employment needs in your area?
CH-JH-DW:Our area is currently undergoing great changes. The BRAC initiative will double the size of Ft. Benning, increase our Federal workforce, and impact private business beyond anything that this area has experienced in over 30 years. Ft. Benning may be the centerpiece, but AFLAC expansion, Pratt Whitney and Cessna growth, KIA just to the north, and the subsidiaries that support the auto industry are fast becoming positive realities. Our future trends are leaning toward the service sector. We are seeing a good number of customer service positions in our insurance industry. The hospitality industry is growing by leaps and bounds. The Columbus region is about to become the top area in Georgia in which to secure employment in many types of jobs.
In the future, what would you most like to accomplish as an EMR?
CH-JH-DW:Our team is committed to continuing improvement in the quality of our workforce through education, re-establishing the disappearing work ethic.
candace head, jim hunsinger and debbie wilbourn
EMPLOYMENT MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE (EMR)
COLUMBUS career center
Columbus Career Center
Jamie Loyd (Manager)
Jamie Loyd (Manager)
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