An IBSA staff member celebrated 35 years at the Association in January. Kendra Lynch Jackson joined the staff January 5, 1987, not long after graduating from high school. She began her career as part-time afternoon receptionist.
After working two years in that position, she was promoted to the role of ministry assistant in the financial services area, working with the now retired Janet Craynon and the late Melissa Phillips. Six years later she became the IBSA bookkeeper, a role in which she has flourished.
The IBSA staff celebrated Jackson’s anniversary at its January Staff Meeting where she was presented with 35 red roses, one to represent each year she’s been employed. Jackson’s supervisor, Administrative Director Jeff Deasy (above, left), presented the bouquet, and Executive Director Nate Adams thanked Jackson for her long and faithful service. He also noted it could be 15 years before IBSA has opportunity to recognize another 35-year tenure.
Jackson is also a bridge to IBSA’s past, having worked with Betty Walker, IBSA’s longest serving staff member at 42 years. Walker held various leadership roles, starting at the Carbondale office in 1947 and concluding in Springfield in 1989.
The celebration was part of an exciting few months for Jackson whose first grandchild, a boy, was born in October, followed by a granddaughter in January.