By Laurie Lechlitcher
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — “I really thrive on being busy,” stated Suzanne Stokes. “When I was in high school, I was involved in dance and marching band. Now that I’m in the work world I have two jobs I absolutely love.”

Suzanne Stokes

Stokes’ full-time position is administrative assistant for the Warsaw Parks Department. She works part time in the Walmart pharmacy.

“Because my jobs are so different, I use different parts of my brain and abilities to work at each,” she remarked. “That’s a good combination. That way I don’t get burned out.”

Stokes graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 2017 where she earned her bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. She went on to get her master’s degree in technical communication from the same college in 2019. “My education is beneficial for working in administration and for serving the general public.”

As an administrative assistant, Stokes looks forward each day to getting up and going to work. “I make sure the office and business side of things are running smoothly. I’m in charge of paying the bills on time. I help answer all the questions that come in. I also oversee the 20 rentals the park offers. One rental, the Zimmer Biomet Center Lake Pavilion, requires a lot of coordination with groups putting on large events.”

She loves the comradery at work. “I’m so happy for the team atmosphere of the parks department. I have a great boss and fantastic coworkers. We watch out for each other. If one of us is gone for any reason, others pitch in to see that the work gets done. Even though we have a lot to accomplish to take care of the community, we have fun working together to get it done.”

Stokes credits the city of Warsaw for giving its employees the privilege of learning how to lead more effectively and build strong teams. “Through leadership training I have learned how to be a successful team leader, but also how to be a better team member. Because of this educational opportunity, many departments have reported better morale and attitudes in management and employees.”

She admits she always has projects to work on and complete. “Every day is different, and I love that. I may have 10 things going on at once. I have to be diligent about prioritizing the right tasks. The creative side of my job is wonderful.” That includes managing the parks department website.

Working at the pharmacy, she switches hats. “Customer service in the pharmacy is sometimes not easy. Since the pandemic, customers have had to deal with medication shortages and insurance frustrations. That can cause them to react.”

Being a good listener and fast thinker, Stokes is able to defuse angry customers. “I seek to get to the root of the problem. Being able to listen and offer alternative solutions usually helps me deescalate the customer’s anger.”

Right now, Stokes is participating in the “Dancing with the Stars for Charity” event. “It’s going to be held March 23 at Warsaw Community High School. Some of the school staff members are teaming up with dancers in the area to raise money for the charity of their choice. I will be dancing and plan to donate the money I raise to Kosciusko Community TNR to help local cats.”

Stokes and her cat Misfit live in Milford.