Title: Director of Resource Development

Company name: United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties

Web site: www.uwrutherford.org

Address: 836 Commercial Court

Time in current position: 1 1/2 years

What does your company produce? United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties works to create long lasting change in our community by addressing the underlying causes of the most significant local issues. Our focus areas include helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health. The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties is focused on the bottom-line results: the lives we change and the communities we shape.

What is your basic business philosophy? To LIVE UNITED. United Way believes that underneath everything we are, underneath everything we do, we are all people. Connected, Interdependent, United. And when we reach out a hand to one, we influence the condition of all. 

Give us a sales pitch in 25 words or less: Invest to make a difference. United Way funds 47 agencies and programs in this community impacting one out of every four people in this community.

What is your proudest business achievement? My greatest business achievement is having played an integral part in United Way’s exceeding the campaign goal in the 2007-2008 campaign, raising the most money ever for our local United Way; therefore enabling us to provide increased funding to our partnering agencies and programs in this community.

What led you to Murfreesboro? I was born and raised in Murfreesboro.

What is your educational background? I attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in Virginia where I was a Trustee Scholar. I obtained my bachelor’s degree from MTSU.  I have completed all coursework at MTSU/Tennessee State University for a master’s degree and just have the thesis left to complete.

What do you do for fun? I enjoy spending time outdoors, spending time with my family and friends, planting flowers and plants, going to the beach, and going to the gym when time allows.

Tell us about your family: I have been married to my husband, Jason Adreon for a little over 4 years. Jason and I often refer to our lovable pets as our children. They include Carlie (rescue redbone hound mix), Jax (rescue black lab), Jasmine (miniature daschund), and Ramalo (American Singer Canary).

Who was your mentor? There have been many people at different times in my life who have influenced me greatly, so it is difficult to choose just one. However, the constant has always been my mother and father. There are two very important things I have learned from them that guide my life today. One is that you can feel confident in the decisions you make and the direction your life is taking if you always “do the right thing”. The other is God has a plan for each and every one of us. We are all important and we each make a difference in this world.

What is the most important thing going on now at your operation? We are in the final stretch of our annual fundraising campaign and are working hard to bring in additional dollars to the campaign. With the state of the economy, our agencies are already seeing the needs of the community increase, which in turn means that they will need more funding to provide desperately needed services. So many of us are blessed with homes, families, and jobs, but there are so many people who are finding themselves in much less fortunate situations. We pray that those who are able will step us in this time of need and lend a hand.