This week’s Why Draper subject is our Accounts Receivable and Traffic Manager, Debbie Searcy. Debbie likes people and numbers. I also understand her ability to successfully negotiate stairs has vastly improved over the years.
How did you come to be working at Draper?
I grew up just a quarter of a mile outside of Spiceland, so I have known about Draper all my life. When I was in school and in my many extracurricular activities, I requested donations from this very generous company, which made me very nervous, but they were always very kind and understanding. After the birth of my first daughter Heather, I wanted a job closer to home and applied for a position in the plant. Later, I was promoted to the Accounts Receivable Department, then to manager of Accounts Receivable, and then added the Traffic Manager title several years later.
What do you like best about your job?
I love talking to people and seeing if I can help with a particular situation. I have such wonderful people working with me to fix concerns or problems. I have the best of both worlds for me—I get to work with people and numbers both!
What are some of your funniest moments at Draper?
With 39 years here, (I started when I was five ;) ) I am sorry to say that most of my funniest moments involve me being very clumsy. The worst was when I first became manager and it was time for my review with the owners of the company. I had to go upstairs and actually fell up them right in front of John Pidgeon, our president. He was very kind and has never mentioned it, but I do remember it vividly.
What do you like to do in your time away from Draper?
Spend time with my Grandchildren, I have six of them ranging from two to 21, each totally different and unique and a blessing. I love being a grandma (memaw), spoiling them and then sending them home all sugared up. The rest of my time is spent in my yard. I enjoy mowing and tending to my flowers. Do you remember the movie Field of Dreams–build it and they will come? Well, my husband and I planted a wildflower garden behind our barn this year in hopes of bringing in the Monarch butterflies. We have a generous amount of bees and rabbits but no butterflies yet. I did plant milkweed, so I still have hopes for this year. Do you have any ideas?
Tell us about your family:
I am married to a very kind, sweet man who makes me laugh so much. (Please don’t let him read this; he will just get a big head!) I have two daughters who grew up into wonderful young ladies, Heather and Jessi. Heather is the mother of three of my grandchildren, Megan, Erin, and Alex, and Jessi is the mother of three boys—Aidan, Owen, and Eli. Her boys are two, four, and five. She has the patience of a saint.
