SPOTLIGHTS
Passion in helpinG Others
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SYNERGY MAGAZINE
Story by: Voleer Thomas
H
elping people is the top priority for one Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce employee who has worked for the chamber for almost 20 years. Pauline Williams has worked at the chamber as an Information Specialists since 2000. There, she has helped hundreds of professionals and business owners navigate the world of business and economics in Gainesville. Williams was born and raised in Trenton, Fl and moved to Gainesville after she graduated high school. During her career, each job she worked for had a common theme—helping others. Williams volunteered at Metcalfe Elementary School and was offered a job as a teacher’s aid for six months. Afterwards, she worked as a bank teller for four years
at what used to be known as ‘Citizens Bank’ (and is now SunTrust) helping people with financial spending and mortgage lending. After working at Citizens Bank, Williams worked for First Federal Savings & Loan as a teller and a loan closing processor for eight years. She later worked at Humana Health Plans for eight years until the office closed in Gainesville. The Chamber of Commerce was in the same center as Humana Health Plans and she
I like people. I talk to a lot of people on the phone from all over the United States of America and the world.” Williams said the chamber serves as a business advocate for businesses in the community. She said the chamber currently has over 1,300 members and she loves connecting business owners to other like-minded individuals. “As the businesses join the chamber, I process their applications,” Williams said. “That gives me a chance to
knew someone that worked there and they came down and asked her, “I hear the office is closing, do you want a job?” Williams sent in her application and the rest was history. “I started working here and 19 ½ years later, I’m still here,” Williams said “The reason I’ve stayed here for so long is because I like what I’m doing.
know exactly what they do so that way I can tell everybody else. If someone called in, I can refer them.” In addition to helping businesses, she also has the opportunity to assist individuals on personal matters as well. Williams remembered when she helped a family member reunite with another family member who was in a
