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DarleneBannister

Darlene Bannister

Director's Assistant

Stats:

Years at Sparks: 8
Office: Atlanta
Department: Rental

Employee of the Month : October 2008

Please share with us a little about yourself.
I am an outgoing, happy person who does not let anything get in the way of my life. I am a driven, outgoing and passionate person who loves to live life to the fullest. I am dedicated to my family, my friends and my job. I love spending much of my free time with my better half, and my two daughters and five grandchildren, and my extended Sparks family of course. I love being around people and enjoy the good times that good friends bring.

What role do you play here at Sparks?
What role do I not play? My title is Director's Assistant to Martin Long for the Rental Division at Sparks, so that makes me the rental queen. I handle Sales, Account and Project Management, and the rental warehouse crew. I am the database leader and manager, and well, everything that is needed to continue to grow the rental division. Additionally, I am the office manager, planner, "mom", cook, entertainer and peacekeeper.

What work related accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction?
I would have to say my Sony Ericsson project. This annual tennis tournament event is located in Key Biscayne, Florida. Sparks Atlanta and I have been handling the set up of the main entrance, plus many other structural set ups throughout the entire park for this event for seven years now. I have had the pleasure of managing the account as well as supervising the set up from year to year. I look forward each year to see what we will propose as new for the project and how and where it will be placed. The park is huge, the work is very hard and the weather is super hot! I work on black asphalt some times 12 hours a day, but in the end I look at the finished real thing, not the drawing or the rendering, and think "wow, that's what it is all about and what makes it all worthwhile." I truly love it!

What motivates you to go the extra mile on a project or job?
The clients, the work itself and the fact that I know I can make it happen and if I can't physically do it myself I can find someone who can!

The Atlanta rental division has the most unbelievable team. You can only imagine how incredible they all are until you have experienced the bond yourself! At any given time night or day one call is all I have to make, ever. Now that is the motivation which gives me the want to go the extra mile and then some.

What do you think it takes to be successful in a company like ours?
Strength, knowledge of the business, the ability to multitask and most of all having the right people in the right position who have the will and know how to successfully handle what ever task they are given and complete it with pride.

How has Sparks changed since you started?
We have new marketing techniques and strategies for bringing in new business to the company. We also have options for programs such as the Sparks University program which is provided by Sparks to benefit the employees.

What do you like about working here?
I like the people, the culture, and the dynamic environment Sparks offers. I love the everyday challenge I face in the rental division. The rush of it all keeps me on my toes! I love being able to see the end results of the rental projects when completed and just knowing I was a part of it and the success of it!

What is your favorite Code Ten code and why?
Work should be fun. A fun office is where you find fun people which in turn mean better morale and more concentration among teams which mean you get the job done accurately, on time and as planned while you smile all the way to success.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I have the most incredible second job after my days work at Sparks, and fortunately am lucky to spend every evening taking care of my three year-old granddaughter, Princess Kendra, who lives with me and keeps me on my toes at all times. Additionally, I spend as much time as possible, which unfortunately is never enough, with my other four wonderful grandchildren who live in Alabama. On the weekends I love to spend time with my better half, Dean, and take weekend rides on our Harleys throughout the Southeastern states. We love to spend time together when we can break away and trust me that is not very often!

"Darlene has worked for Sparks for eight years, the entire time for Sparks Rental. She is a totally dedicated employee who routinely exemplifies Code Ten values. She always makes herself available to other employees when they need help in solving a problem or executing a solution. Darlene's attention to customers is notable and she will work all hours of the day and evening to provide support to customers and our staff during critical move in periods or just to dog a problem. Darlene is one of those employees who has always demonstrated a sense of responsibility and professionalism while also maintaining a sense of humor and a friendly demeanor even under considerable pressure." - Martin Long, Director, Sparks Rentals

"Darlene is very deserving of this award solely because of her dedication, hard work and enthusiasm she brings to Sparks, but the reality is she is so much more. Darlene is a leader, a teacher, an organizer, a loyal coworker and an individual who is client and company focused, a "jack-of-all trades" to say the least. When I have a question, I know to go to Darlene as she always has the answer and is always willing to drop what she is doing to help someone out. She always participates and loves to be involved in any Sparks company activities. She helped represent Sparks on our Code Ten Giving Back project. There is not enough that I can say about how much of an asset Darlene is to our Sparks Atlanta organization. She brings so much kindness, intelligence, and encouragement to our office, that a day without Darlene in the office is a day without my morning coffee." - Lindy Foley, Account Manager, Sparks Atlanta


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