EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTTammy Breeden
At S. Preston Douglas & Associates, we love and appreciate the tireless efforts of our employees. Over our eight decades of growth and rich accounting heritage, we could never have done it without them.
In this interview and spotlight, we talk with Tammy Breeden - our Administrative Assistant in our Lumberton office. She answers a wide range of questions in helping others learn what an amazing asset she continues to be with our firm.
Tammy was interviewed by business consultant, Anthony DeNino. We hope you’ll come to understand, as we do, what a positively impactful role she plays in the success of our firm.
1) What first attracted you to go to work for S. Preston Douglas? And how long have you been with the firm?
"Well, the day of my interview was for a part-time position. I was willing to take anything because I needed a job. I met everyone in the firm that day who was there and everybody was so nice and kind…a big deal to me. The following week I got the call saying I had the job and instead of part-time, I was asked to work full-time. And of course I say, ‘Yes!’. I have now been with the firm for 20 years and have thoroughly enjoyed it."
2) Tell everybody about your role?
“I basically manage the front office while assisting clients with appointments. I also make sure they receive everything they need in order to get their tax returns completed in a timely manner.”
3) You’ve undoubtedly seen a lot of changes over the years. Thinking back to when you first started and comparing it to today, what has been most impactful in your role?
“I would say getting to know the clients that we help on a recurring basis. Also, to know who you’re dealing with and the level of service they expect. When the clients trust me to write their checks for their taxes and our services, and still walk out with a smile, it sure does make my job more pleasant.”
4) In thinking about your work over the years, what action or event brings you the most pride and joy?
“I really enjoy assisting our clients with anything they need, especially the elderly. I have gotten to know some amazing people throughout my 20 years.”
5) As you’ve been in the area for so long, tell us something special about the firm’s clients in and around Lumberton.
“As I had stated earlier, many of our clients are recurring customers. The relationships that have been made through the years are very special, almost like family.”
6) When you’re not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
“When I’m not at work I love to spend as much time as I can with my family. That is very important to me. I am married to a wonderful man, Patrick, going on 36 years. I have a beautiful 32-year-old daughter, Savannah, and her husband, Douglas, plus, two amazing grandsons, Owen and Mason. Grandma life is the best! I also enjoy going to church worshipping with my family and friends.”       
7) Professionally speaking, who would you say has had the most positive influence on you? Why? (Your answer doesn’t have to be an employee or partner. It may be an outside influence)
“Actually, each one of my co-workers have had a positive influence on me at one time or another, each in their own way. They have all been very supporting and caring during the most difficult times in my life.”
“Tammy does a wonderful job of handling the front-end duties in our Lumberton office. Whether they are picking up or dropping off information, need assistance in writing their checks, or signing documents, she greets the clients with a smile and always makes them feel welcome. She has been with us over twenty years and I can’t emphasize enough what an asset it is to have somebody with those qualities be the first person our clients see when they come to our office.”
-- John Grissom --
RETIRED PARTNER SPOTLIGHTJohnny Britt
At S. Preston Douglas & Associates, we love and appreciate the tireless efforts of our employees. Over our eight decades of growth and rich accounting heritage, we could never have done it without them.
In this interview and spotlight, retired Partner, Johnny Britt, CPA, answers a wide range of questions in helping others learn what an amazing asset he was to our firm.
Johnny was interviewed by business consultant, Anthony DeNino. We hope you’ll come to understand, as we do, what a positively impactful role he played in the success of our firm.
1) Remind everybody of your time with S. Preston Douglas regarding a few points. Where did you go to school? What time period did you work with SPD&A? When did you first make Partner?
"Prior to graduation from UNC – Chapel Hill in December of 1974, I was fortunate to work a summer internship with the firm. It was then I realized that although I had finished almost all required accounting courses at UNC, none prepared me for one absolutely necessary skill (the calculator). I felt compelled to quickly acquire this skill so I would stay after work each day to practice. And thus, I experienced mental fatigue to the point of what felt like physical exhaustion. I actually was taking a nap each day after work until I adjusted to thinking more in the realm of mind over matter."
2) What do you recall about when you first started with the firm?
“I became a permanent employee at the Firm in July of 1975. Having grown up in an environment where loyalty was a virtue and having developed a good rapport with the Senior Partners, I saw myself, along with some fellow contemporaries, as leading the firm into the future. It was in 1978 that I became a “Junior Partner” and opened our Whiteville, NC office.”
3) Initially, did you see yourself as being there for so long? And to follow-up, what made you stay?
“I have so many fond memories of my 40 years at the firm but overriding the individually separate memories were the friendship among the Partners, both professionally and personally. Tough decisions had to be made and heated discussions were had but we always ended up together.”
4)I imagine you have a lot of fond memories. Is there one that sticks out above the others?
“Having mentioned the firm’s positive relationship with clients and the Partners professional and personal friendships as fond memories, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention another trait that I can now look back on with fondness and pride. That trait would be, consistency, which came from proper planning, preparation, communication and execution. And it is with a sense of pride that I can say that we had the ‘it’ factor.”
5) Fast-forward to today. What is a day in the life of Johnny Britt like?
“After retirement I have continued to be involved with several business ventures with usually no specific time requirements. My wife Jeanne and I spend most of our time at Sunset Beach when we are not visiting grandkids in Cary or Wilmington. Other than that, I continue to work on my golf game always looking forward to the next time that I may play. I will say that for me, a walk on the beach and after coffee, sitting in a rocking chair on the porch makes for a great start to your day.”
6) Last question…and this is my favorite… If they were going to write a movie about your time with SPD&A, what would the title be, and why?
“I guess if a movie were to be written about my time with the firm it would be representative of our Senior Partners and Junior Partners and how the Senior Partners brought us into the partnership early into our careers. Maybe the title would be, ‘Working Together’.”
“I had the privilege of working under Johnny Britt for the final 8 years of his career as a CPA. He has been and still is, to this day, a great mentor to me. I learned so much about the accounting profession from him and whenever I run into an unfamiliar issue, he is one of the first people I call on. Johnny has always been one of the great leaders in our community, while also being a great husband, father, and grandfather to his wonderful family. Johnny Britt is a top shelf human, and we are all lucky to have had him here at S. Preston Douglas & Associates for so many years.”
-- Matt McLean --
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
John D. Masters
At S. Preston Douglas & Associates, we love and appreciate the tireless efforts of our employees and Partners. Over our eight decades of growth and rich accounting heritage, we could never have done it without them.
In this interview and spotlight, John D. Masters, Partner and CPA, answers a wide-range of questions in helping others learn just how awesome he is. John was interviewed by business consultant, Anthony DeNino, so you can learn more about him and understand as we do, what a positively impactful role he has played in the success of our firm. EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHTRhonda Bruce
At S. Preston Douglas & Associates, we love and appreciate the tireless efforts of our employees. Over our eight decades of growth and rich accounting heritage, we could never have done it without them.
It is because of their efforts that we’d like to recognize our longest tenured employee. To say Rhonda Bruce – with the firm for 44 years in September 2023 - is a valued employee, would quite possibly be the biggest understatement ever made.
In recognizing her invaluable contributions to our success, Rhonda was interviewed by business consultant Anthony DeNino so you can learn more about her and understand as we do, just how wonderful she is.
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Employee Spotlight
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