Describe yourself in three words. Loyal, honest, emotional.
What book has had the greatest impact on you? I can’t say that any book has impacted me. I have dyslexia and didn’t realize it until later in life, so reading hasn’t ever been enjoyable for me.
What is your favorite part of your job? The whole process. Watching a project go through all of the steps to get to the finish — to go from a bare site to a building is just amazing to me.
Who is your hero? My dad and mom. They have been married for 65 years, and have taught me that you have to work hard and love hard.
What is your dream job? If I couldn’t do the job that I am doing now, then I would love to own a bakery. I think that would be so much fun!
Who would you invite to your dream dinner party (living, dead, famous, real or fictional)? A group of girlfriends to sit around and eat, drink and laugh. I have made some really strong friendships over the years.
Who would you like to see perform in concert? Trisha Yearwood.
If you could solve one major problem, what would it be? How to get people to respect each other again. We have lost that in our society.
If you could give your 15 year-old self advice, what would it be? Don’t be so shy. Be confident in yourself. Trust that you know what you are doing.
What’s your biggest fear? I’m claustrophobic. Tight spaces scare me.
What is one important skill you think everyone should have? Ironing. I iron everything. A nice pressed shirt looks the best and it shows you will go the extra step.
What skill would you like to master? Using power tools. I would love to be able to do my own DIY projects. I know what I want, I just don’t know how to do the work myself.
What age do you wish you could permanently be and why? Age 42. It just seems that you have things figured out by then. You’re making a decent amount of money and you still have a lot of time to enjoy it.
Who was your first celebrity crush? Erik Estrada from the TV show “CHiPs.”
What moment in your life would you most like to go back and relive? My junior/senior years in high school. I didn’t have bills or real responsibilities yet. That was a great time in my life.
What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten? Pokeweed. Young leaves and stems (when properly cooked) are edible. My husband gets some every spring.
What is the most productive time of day for you? Morning. I wake up at 4:30 a.m. everyday. I can get a lot of work done by 10:00 a.m. After that, the day starts to unravel.
If you received enough money to never need to work again, what would you spend your time doing? I would open a dog sanctuary. I would take them all. To spend all day playing with dogs would be a dream.
What gets you excited and driven to achieve? I would love to build a new house and have wanted to do that for a long time. I want to design it and possibly even do some of the work myself.
What do you collect? Anything with pheasants. I have several pictures, wood carvings and figurines.
When was the last time you cried and why? June 17 when my dad passed away. I think that was the saddest day of my life. I miss him deeply.
What is your earliest memory? Going to kindergarten for the first time. I was very shy as a little girl and was terrified to go. My teacher was so patient with me and let me sit next to her desk until I got used to being there.
If you could go back in time and change a single thing, what would it be? Nothing. Everything happens for a reason. We just don’t know what it is at the time. It explains itself later down the road and makes us who we are.
In what city did you grow up? Columbia City, Indiana.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? An architect. I was really good at math and art, and when I met with a guidance counselor they suggested architecture. I took one class and I was hooked.
What do you actually do at your job? Primarily, I do estimating. I project manage on occasion, too. Most recently with Novati I have been taking on more of the business side of the company.
What do you love most about Fort Wayne? I come from a small town. I love all the options that Fort Wayne has to offer at your fingertips.
What three items would you want with you if you were stranded on a desert island (other than food and water)? My dogs for sure, gum and a cozy sweatshirt.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go? Nowhere. I don’t enjoy traveling and have never flown in my life.
Where will you go on your next vacation? Back to the cabin on our pond. Since I don’t like to travel, that is my staycation.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you win a medal in? Baking. I can make a great pie. It would win gold for sure.
What fad do you wish would come back or stay gone forever? Big hair can stay gone forever.
What is your biggest pet peeve? Being lied to. I lose all trust and respect when I find out, and it’s hard to rebuild that trust.
What profession would you never try? Nursing. It takes a special person to do that kind of work.
Name one person who has inspired you in your life. My mom. When you know her whole story, it is pretty amazing. You can learn a lot from a strong woman.
What does your workout regimen consist of? What workout regimen? Ha!
If you could send a message to the entire world, what would you say in 30 seconds? Lets start looking each other in the eyes and be kind again.
Do you have a motto you live by? If so, what is it? “It could always be worse.” Every time something unexpected happens I always try to realize it’s not as bad as it could be.
What was your first job? I started working when I was 17 at a screen-printing business. I helped design the artwork and the screen printing of the projects.
What would you choose as your last meal? Sweet and sour chicken, fried rice and a really good egg roll.
What is the best gift you have ever been given? When my husband and I first started dating, he bought me a lapel pin for $2 from a lady he worked with. I know it sounds silly, but it meant so much because it was a kind gesture — the size of the gift didn’t matter.
If you could go back in time, once, and change a single thing, what would it be? Nothing. Everything happens for a reason. We just don’t know what it is at that time. It explains itself later down the road and makes us who we are.
What is the first movie you ever saw in a theater? Probably the first “Rocky” movie at the age of eight.
When were you happiest? Anytime I can sit around a fire with my husband and dogs, cook a good meal and just relax.
What trait or habit in yourself do you deplore? When I get tired I get impatient.
Do you have any guilty pleasures? What are they? Taking a nap on the weekend. I think it’s because I get up so early.
What’s one thing you can’t live without? Hand lotion.
What is something that never fails to make you laugh? Playing with my dogs. They have so much personality. They are always doing something that is funny.
