USI Employee Spotlight: Mary Thomas
Learn a little more about Mary and check out how she answered the questions below….
• Before working at USI what was your most unusual or interesting job that you had?
Traveling the country remodeling big box retail stores for approximately 20 years was a highlight. I was able to see so much of this great country and make many friends and have an extensive network system.
• What are you currently binge watching?
Currently waiting (not so patiently) for Virgin River, Cobra Kai and Yellowstone next seasons!!!
• If you could have any superpower what would it be?
It’s a toss up: to be invisible or ability to fly …maybe (never really gave it much thought, I’m typically happy just being me 😊)
• If you could learn anything, what would it be?
How to be an awesome cook or master more languages.
• When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Private investigator for a while. I watched a lot of Charlie’s Angels type shows growing up .
• What is one food that you cannot resist?
Does it have to be just one? Italian, Mexican, any grilled food.
• Where is your favorite place to be?
In the woods or mountains hiking.
• What’s something you like to do the old-fashioned way?
Sending cards in the mail, no one does it anymore…. Talk to people, ring up groceries by humans, order at counter from a human. Everything is an APP these days and we are losing the personal touch and how to communicate with each other.
• What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received?
You can’t take it with you when you leave, take time to slow down and smell the roses, find your voice and know your self worth… a sign I have at home: “QUITYERBELLYACHIN”.
• If you had 1 free hour each day, what would you do?
Walk in the woods and find my peace.
• Do you have any strange phobias?
Not really. If I did, I’d keep them under the radar so they could never be used against me!!!
• If you could add one thing to the USI office, what would it be?
Height adjustable standing desks to promote comfort/productivity and healthy lifestyle… we aren’t’ meant to sit all day. Otherwise maybe a vending machine for those snackers 😊.
• What has been your favorite project at USI?
Popeye’s has become near and dear to my heart. I may actually celebrate the conclusion of the Popeye’s program with a trip to Popeye’s for dinner with the family.
• What is your favorite part about working for USI?
Probably the coworkers. Mikala and Devon were awesome when I joined and were great mentors and friends. Everyone at USI has made me feel welcome. I’m used to big corporate so this has been very different for me.
• What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery?
Maybe a vacation home in the mountains.
• What was the best concert you ever attended?
I’m not a big concert goer. I don’t like loud noise and crowds but I just went to Jason Isbell concert with my boyfriend at the Jacobs Pavilion in Cleveland that was great. Blossom Cleveland Orchestra music with fireworks after was great too.
• What are you passionate about?
My kids, my career, making my family proud, being a good human.
• What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
Rode down the Grand Canyon on a mule, white water rafted the Gulley and New River in West Virginia.
• What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
My mom’s spaghetti, I miss my mom!
• What are some of your pet peeves?
Laziness and entitlement.
Want to chat with Mary about an upcoming project you think USI would be perfect for? Send her an email here!