New River Valley Community Services (NRVCS) is observing “Employee Appreciation Week” October 25 – 29 in celebration of our dedicated team of professionals. Throughout this week, we will be introducing you to some of our amazing staff.
Below are our featured “Staff Spotlights” for Tuesday, October 26:
LEXI HARRIS
Position: HRIS Assistant
Department: Human Resources
Years at NRVCS: Approximately 1 1/2 years
Please share a little about your background:
I am from a little bit of everywhere, but like to claim Winston-Salem, NC. I spent the tail end of my high school experience, attended university, met my husband and spent my first year of marriage in Winston, and have lots of great memories! I’ve predominantly worked in the medical field doing assistant positions, and recently moved into doing work in HR. I live in Giles now, am raising 2 unruly cats and living my best life.
Why did you choose this particular career/job?
I love to grow and be challenged, and when I had to opportunity to work with the HR department at NRVCS I was thrilled to learn new things and dip my toes into a different type of assistant work.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
Being in contact with employees. My previous positions have all revolved around clients, so getting to support
employees is a great and awarding change that I’ve really enjoyed.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I am a horror junkie, Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday, and I never miss an opportunity to go to a haunted trail.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Fashion and Family Photography, watching Netflix and messing with my ginger cat who gets so easily riled up.
Do you have a favorite quote or saying you would like to share?
“Life is short, but also terribly and insufferably long at the same time.” – Jenna Marbles
ROSS WILSIE
Position: IT Trainer
Department: Information Systems
Years at NRVCS: 10 years
Please share a little about your background:
I spent most of my early years in Roanoke, came to VT as a Freshman in 1998 and haven’t left the NRV since. I now live in Blacksburg with my wife, two boys, and two older dogs in an older house that we restored over several years. I graduated from VT with a BS in Psychology, and I worked in several varying roles before joining the NRVCS IT Department in 2011.
Why did you choose this particular career/job?
I was interested in this position because I enjoy working with technology, and I also enjoy helping and getting to know people – this seemed like the perfect combination!
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part of my work is knowing that something I’ve created has helped make someone’s life easier, provided them some entertainment and space to laugh, or given them new insight into the world around them.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
My grandfather was a third generation scientific glassblower, and he taught me how to make a few simple glass items before he passed away when I was a teenager.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy playing music and being outdoors! I sing and play a few instruments, including violin, mandolin, and guitar. When outside, I especially love to hike and mountain bike (preferably at a downward angle).
Do you have a favorite quote or saying you would like to share?
“We cannot selectively numb emotion. If we numb the dark, we numb the light.” ~ Brené Brown
RYAN SANDS
Position: Operations Supervisor – Community Transit
Department: Transportation
Years at NRVCS: 3 1/2 years
Please share a little about your background:
I am originally from Chantilly, VA and currently live in Christiansburg. I went to college at Virginia Tech and graduated in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning. NRVCS has been my first and only full time job since graduating. I worked part time for Blacksburg Transit and Virginia Tech before landing here.
Why did you choose this particular career/job?
I enjoyed working in the Transportation field and found it to be a good match for my experience and skillset coming out of college.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
Making NRVCS services accessible for members of our community by providing reliable transportation.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
My favorite place to eat, by far, is Taco Bell.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Bass fishing at Claytor Lake, Smith Mountain Lake, and the New River.
MATTHEW LESTER
Position: Maintenance Supervisor – Radford Transit & Community Transit
Department: Transportation
Years at NRVCS: 5 years
Please share a little about your background:
I was born and raised in Radford, attended Radford City Schools and have raised my family in Radford. Still reside in Radford to this day. I spent the majority of my career prior to NRVCS at Radford University in different roles, starting with Facilities and ending with the Radford University Police Department.
Why did you choose this particular career/job?
Like a lot of people in transit I started out as a part time driver for Radford Transit and I really liked the atmosphere. It became obvious I could make a career in a number of directions within transit/NRVCS. I came on full time in the RT Dispatch positon after I realized this is where I want to be long term. Once the Maintenance Supervisor position was created I imagined combining my transit aspirations with my vehicle interests and trying to push this positon forward. I plan to continue doing just that.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
Whether it’s driving for Radford Transit and helping someone get to the store and back when they have no other options or if it’s acquiring new agency vehicles to replace some older ones to help provide a clean, safe form of transportation for our employees/clients, it really is very rewarding to know there are different ways to help make a difference. At different points in my life my family and I have benefited from “community services” in one way or another so to actually be able to contribute to providing help for those who need it in my own community really drives me in this position.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I have a big beautiful family. My lovely wife Bridget and 5 amazing kids: daughters Charmaine, Sara, Emily, Kiara; and son, Junior.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
By the end of October 2021 I will have spent most of my time away from work this year walking daughters down the aisle (Charmaine, Sara) and hanging out at various baseball fields across the area watching my son/nephews play. Not a bad way to spend my time off if you ask me. (Emily and Kiara don’t get any ideas.)
Do you have a favorite quote or saying you would like to share?
We have a lot of “catchphrases” floating around the shop at any given time but I think the one we can all agree on (and can be shared) is the one we all know. “It’s our responsibility to care”. We take that seriously, with over 225 vehicles on the road all over Southwest Virginia we take great pride in knowing that we are providing top notch service to our vehicles and anyone behind the wheel of an agency vehicle should feel safe to drive anywhere.
RENE’ COX
Position: Behavioral Health Wellness Specialist
Department: Community Wellness & Outreach
Years at NRVCS: 14
Please share a little about your background:
I am a lifelong resident of the New River Valley. I was born in Giles County, married and moved to Christiansburg where we raised our three sons.
I have a background in elementary education where I worked for eight years and then transitioned to the agency in 2007. My degree is from Bluefield College.
Why did you choose this particular career/job?
I wanted to work with the school systems, but needed a change. I looked into career opportunities and loved the variety of job responsibilities in Prevention Services.
What’s the most rewarding part of your work?
I truly enjoy working with and getting to know the people of the New River Valley. I have the opportunity to work with so many different age groups. From Head Start activities to elementary, middle or high school classes to a QPR training with Senior Citizens I can do it all in the course of a day, a week or a month.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
My husband and I restored a cabin using reclaimed lumber and other materials to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible on the environment. I am a lifelong recycler.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
After thirty years of quilting I am just shy of finishing my 200th quilt. I love reading and DIY projects.
Do you have a favorite quote or saying you would like to share?
“Do the best you can do until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou
PREVIOUS “STAFF SPOTLIGHT” POSTS:
– Monday, October 25