Georgia Employer Committee

Albany EMR
Lynne Jones busy at work
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AN INTERVIEW WITH
LYNNE JONES

The Georgia Employer Committee would like to share with its viewers the EMR's who are vital to the success of the Local Committees throughout the State. This month we meet and talk with EMR Lynne Jones of the Albany Career Center.

Tell us your name, your Career Center and how long you’ve been an EMR?

LJ: - My name is Lynne Jones. I work at the Albany Career Center. Our committee is the Albany Area Employer Committee.

Do you have any special talents, hobbies, or interest you’d like to share

LJ: - I enjoy sharing time with friends & family. I love being outdoors. We have folks over to enjoy our pool and I love to prepare all kinds of appetizers. I’m always looking for new recipes to try. I have been named the “dip queen” by my neighbor.

What led you to your position as an EMR, and why?

LJ: - I worked in the banking industry prior to my career with the GDOL. Over the years, I developed a good relationship with a lot of business folks in our area. When I came to labor, I discovered that there was a Marketing Position. After reading the job description and getting a good feel for the employment service side of the house, it became my goal to be an Employment Marketing Representative. I have been an EMR since 2001.

What do you feel is unique about the area in which you work?

LJ: - The Albany Career Center has two satellite offices--one in Sylvester (Worth County) & the other in Dawson (Terrell County). We cover a five county area which includes Calhoun, Dougherty, Lee, Terrell & Worth counties. Our satellites are positioned to assist customers in outlying rural areas. The Albany Area has been unique because it was home to many large manufacturers (Cooper Tire, Mars Snackfoods, Procter & Gamble, MillerCoors, Bob’s Candies, Dawson Manufacturing & the Marine Corps Logistics Base); however, recent economic situations have resulted in the closure of four of those companies.

How active is your Employer Committee? What do you feel are its best features, and biggest challenges?

LJ: -My involvement with the committee started in 2001. We have had peaks & valleys. Members voted to change the name from the Albany Employer Committee to the Albany Area Employer Committee. That is to include all five counties that we serve. We have a new logo and our committee acronym is AAEC. It also stands for our slogan “Affecting Albany Area Employers Collectively”. The desire of the committee members is to be a conduit of information for our business community in our five county area and we are well on our way.

Has your Employer Committee received any awards or special recognition?

LJ: - I received several awards since becoming an EMR. Lee Co Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year, 2002
IAWP Miller Merit Award Individual 2nd place, 2004
Lee Co Chamber Woman of the Year, 2004
EMR High Achievement Award for District 1, 2005
Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year, 2007
EXCEL Program, Class of 2007

The Albany Area Employer Committee has been involved with various projects/activities. We have sponsored the Saturday Academy to teach job readiness skills to students; various Labor Law seminars; Unemployment Insurance seminars/lunch & learns; Worker’s Comp seminars; provided scholarships to FBLA students; collected Christmas gifts for children in a battered women’s shelter; collected gifts for Toys for Tots; adopted families at Christmas; volunteered at an area food bank; sponsored a mentoring program with the Boys Club; and other various community projects over the years.

What community activities do you participate in as an EMR?

LJ: - Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Board
Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Resource Committee
Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador
Lee Co Chamber of Commerce Board
Lee Co Chamber of Commerce Ambassador
Terrell Co Chamber of Commerce Development Committee
Dougherty County Family Connection
Terrell County Family Connection & Youth Committee
Lee Co Family Connection & Youth Committee
Westover High School Advisory Committee
Lee Co High School Advisory Committee

What do you enjoy most about your job?

LJ: - I work with a great team. Robin Chester is my counterpart and we work very well together. We now have a new manager, Robert Gordon. It is advantageous that he has an EMR background. He is very supportive of the community activities we are involved with. He understands the importance of building rapport with the business community. I enjoy building rapport with the business community, working to earn their trust and respect and being able to share that we are so much more than the “un”employment office.

In the future what would you most like to accomplish as an EMR?

LJ: - I would like to continue to share resources/information & build more partnerships with our business community. I would like to make each business aware of all the services the GDOL has to offer and to ensure that businesses receive year-round assistance to meet their employment needs.

What future trends do you see in employment needs for your area?

LJ: - With the loss of four major manufacturers & downsizing in another in our area, retraining is very important. My research of labor market trends shows, healthcare & education are two areas with substantial employment in our area. We are very fortunate to have three colleges that provide training/retraining opportunities for these two areas.

Lynne Jones
EMPLOYMENT MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE (EMR)
Albany career center