Teri is conquering the world as the Director of Sales and Marketing at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia. If you know Teri, you know that her authenticity stems from being confident in who she is and truly loving and caring for those around her! We hope this fun Q&A helps you get to know Teri a little bit better!   

What are you most excited about coming up in the next couple of months?

My 11-year-old daughter, Catelyn, became one of the first girls in the area to join Scouts last year. She is currently a Cub Scout but will be crossing over into Scouting, BSA on the Feb. 28 and joining local Troop 121. She is so excited and we, as parents, are excited for her! Her Troop leader is Dr. Julie Stansfield and she is an incredible role model for the young girls she will be leading in Scouts. Catelyn’s brother achieved the rank of Eagle Scout a number of years ago and so she has her eye on that achievement as well and I have complete confidence in her.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I honestly have no recollection of having a clear direction of what I wanted to do or be when I grew up. I grew up on a farm, which was wonderful, but I didn’t see myself staying on a farm. Perhaps retiring to a farm someday – just not making a living from it. While at Mizzou, I took a job in a restaurant (Sachs Sixth Avenue) waiting tables and bartending which really kind of cemented a career for me in the service industry. I migrated into the hotel industry after college and have been there ever since. I enjoy serving people and am fortunate to have had the pleasure of engaging with so many wonderful customers and co-workers throughout the 30+ years in the hotel business.

What are some things that bring you joy? 

I find there are things that give me pleasure and that I find fun such as traveling, reading, shopping, going to garage sales, spending time with family, quiet time at home, etc… But, I guess I see having true joy as something different and for me, it’s an attitude of the heart that stems from my faith. Life is full of so many good things, as well as hardships at times, and I feel that true joy doesn’t come and go with those situations. So, whether it’s the best of situations or the worst of situations, I work toward having a heart that remains positive and thankful. I’m thankful for everyday that I wake up and for the life that I have with my family and friends, my health and my career… and that brings me joy.