I have spent 30+ years of my life in retail management. My responsibilities have been several including but not limited to maintaining inventory, strategic placement, customer service, strategic scheduling, mentoring and training all employees, loss prevention strategies, loyalty program acquisition, and more. I have been responsible for supervising shifts while implementing company policy and procedures for all customers. The customer service industry is extremely satisfying and provides me the opportunity to meet people and help them every day. My main objective is to create a comfortable shopping environment for all my customers by maintaining an atmosphere that is safe, welcoming, helpful, and enjoyable for everyone involved. I am highly involved with associate advocacy, diversity and inclusion, assisting associates with resources for personal issues, charitable fundraising, markdown planning, and more. I am a recovering alcoholic who is very open to others, and have assisted many by listening, offering resources available, and personally helping some ready to tackle their addiction(s). I combat the stigma attached to alcoholism and addiction, and compare it to the stigma attached to type 2 diabetes. These diseases are real and just as worthy of our care and attention as others. I am an advocate for those who need a second chance because of mistakes they have made in the past. I have taken several courses beyond formal education as I believe we must never stop educating ourselves.