Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Where I Stand: Our most valuable employees

THIS IS PROFESSIONAL Secretaries Day, when we pay special attention to the people who make offices across the nation function efficiently. They are given a variety of titles, including administrative assistant, office manager, clerk, executive secretary, receptionist, etc. No matter what title they are given, they perform duties far beyond the scope most people tend to give it.

Cindy Robinette and Barbara Jacobs in our office handle the needs of at least six people plus hundreds of outside contacts every working day. They are skilled professionals who know every aspect of our jobs and our psychological makeups. Over the years, they have also acquired the same knowledge about people who call or visit our offices more than a few times. Without these two women, none of us would be able to finish even half of what we accomplish during a work week. Often, they make us look good and even a greater number of times they keep us from making foolish mistakes.

Bosses may come and go, but a stable and strong company or government agency will be blessed by a continuing strong office staff. Support staff makes the difference between success and failure during most workday activities. Although I work closely with editors and reporters, my immediate accomplishments can usually be attributed to the knowledge and work of editorial assistants Jeri Anderson and Gail Perry and communication receptionists Marcia McMillan and Lynn Silva. For example, if I don't have time to research a specific fact or bit of historical trivia, Jeri Anderson usually has the answer.

As I've written in the past, not much attention was paid by me to secretaries. That was true until I saw some great ones in action.

The first one I really noticed was then Sen. Lyndon Johnson's secretary Mary Margaret Wiley. That was in the '50s when LBJ was U.S. Senate majority leader. Wiley was efficient, gentle and always up front when the boss allowed his tongue to outrace his thought processes.

Because of the complexities of government in our nation's capital, the person wanting to succeed soon learns that his relationship with the secretaries in the myriad offices can often be the key to success.

A secretary can make it possible for you to see the boss or steer you to an office which can help you see a person who can give assistance. She can plumb the depths of her experience and give you valuable guidance or she can just tell you that her boss isn't going to be in this week.

My first great secretary was the late Jean Clark, a mature and competent lady who helped me organize seven government departments into one super department called the Nevada Department of Health and Welfare.

In 1963, as the first director of that agency, I had an office of exactly one person -- Jean Clark. We ran the department for 18 months before I left for an assignment in Washington, D.C.

Jean was bright, loyal, understanding, fast on the typewriter and equally speedy taking shorthand. She was also one of the prettiest ladies I have ever known.

She never became flustered because of my temper or the bad manners of a frustrated citizen. I have heard her take an irritated client of an agency and turn him from a foe into a friend.

She liked people and they liked her.

I returned to Carson City as governor-elect in November 1970. The first person selected for my staff was Jean Clark, who agreed to help me as my confidential secretary.

Jean not only became my confidential secretary, she also handled all of my technical work in disaster preparation. When disaster strikes, you need a calm person you can rely on, who has knowledge and works speedily.

Early this month, I had the opportunity to meet with a room full of outstanding office professionals. The Clark County Association of Educational Office Professionals invited me for lunch at the Gold Coast. It was most rewarding to spend some time with the people who make the offices of our schools productive centers of important activity.

Let's hope that all office professionals will receive the respect they deserve today and every day of the year.

A new radio program "All Sides Matter" is now scheduled on KRBO 105.1-FM in Las Vegas and on KRNV 101.7-FM in Reno. Hosting the program are former Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Al Gunderson, Review-Journal columnist Barbara Robinson and station owner Jim Rogers. All are lawyers, and any one of them can start a riot in an empty warehouse. It can be heard at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and should be exciting. ... On Sunday, the fifth annual White Pine County reunion picnic will be at Rotary Park at West Charleston Boulevard and Hinson Street. Those Bobcats all have a great time when gathering for hot dogs and a few cool ones. Former White Piners seem to have a warm bond, no matter where they live or where they meet. The picnic starts at 11 a.m. and will continue on until 5 p.m. ...

Firefighter Kim Phillips just gave me the good news that the Las Vegas Firemen's Benefit Association will present its 45th annual Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Sam Boyd Stadium this year. The 9:30 p.m. fireworks show will follow two hours of entertainment. It will be only $25 a vehicle, no matter how many passengers. This sum covers parking and the show.

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