Employee Profiles: NATCA headquarters veterans
In February 2006, NATCA Deputy Comptroller Fran Bowman and Membership Specialist Cheryl Cannon each celebrated 15 years of NATCA employment. The union would like to take a moment to get to know them better, and to thank them for truly being models of union dedication and service.
Deputy Comptroller Fran Bowman
Before joining the NATCA family in 1991 as an accounting assistant, Fran Bowman handled accounting duties with a government contractor specializing in non-profits, such as hospitals and schools. Fifteen years later, as the NATCA’s deputy comptroller, Bowman is a veteran in the non-profit field, and currently helps maintain accuracy in accounts payable and accounts receivable, as well as assists in overseeing financial statements and departmental budgets.
Bowman has been married for 25 years and has two children, Tawanda and Corteze, who are both in real estate. In her spare time, she most enjoys traveling, especially on cruiseships. “I’ve been on 15 so far,” she recalls. “My husband and I try to go every year.” When she’s not at work, on a boat, or in her favorite land-locked vacation spot — Las Vegas — Fran enjoys spending her spare time with family and friends.
Working at the NATCA national office is an ideal situation for Bowman largely because she feels the employees are treated well. “NATCA is a very fair company, and generous to its employees,” she says. She also enjoys the camaraderie in the workplace. “And my fellow employees are very nice,” she continues. “They’re a fun group.”
What really makes her job worthwhile, however, are the members. “I don’t have a job where I would normally interact much with the membership, but here at NATCA, the members are always so appreciative,” she notes. “And they let you know — I get a lot of calls just saying, ‘Thank you,’ which is nice.”
Membership Specialist Cheryl Cannon
When you call the national office’s main phone line, you’re most likely going to speak with Membership Specialist Cheryl Cannon. Cannon also joined NATCA in 1991 as a temporary employee and accepted a permanent job offer within one month. As a membership specialist, Cannon is responsible for answering member requests for union benefits information, as well as directing incoming calls and greeting visitors. A self-professed animal person since birth, Cannon’s pre-NATCA employment included veterinary hospitals and professional animal handling.
Cannon has two children, 15-year-old Michelle and 11-year-old Justin. Michelle’s premature birth was the catalyst that convinced Cannon to stay with NATCA beyond temporary placement. “I used to show horses, and do dog training and handling for other clients,” she recalls. “But when my daughter was born, my priorities changed, and I needed a more stable position. NATCA is a family-friendly workplace — the shorter hours meant I could be home with my kids when they were little, and now I can be home when they return from school. The benefits are great for my family, and it also leaves me time to continue showing dogs.”
Cannon spends most of her spare time traveling with her family as she continues to breed and show briards, a French working breed. “Showing the dogs allows us to see places we wouldn’t otherwise see,” Cannon says. “I’ve been able to take my kids from coast to coast, and even to Canada. We show the dogs, but we also set aside time to see important historical sites and have some fun, and we’ve made a lot of great friends across the country.”
“My kids have grown up showing dogs with me, and they love it,” Cannon adds. “My daughter has even beaten me in the ring. It’s great to travel together, and they learn something new every time.” When she’s not traveling, Cannon is an avid reader and enjoys skiing, ice skating, movies, and visiting with family and friends.
Aside from the family-friendly workplace, Cannon cites the membership as her favorite part of working at NATCA. “The members are so varied, and easy to work with,” she says. “I really like being a receptionist, because I get to talk to all kinds of people on a friendly basis every day, and help them get what they need. It’s stress-free."
