TSCPA's Carolyn Lynn to Retire
After 31 years, the welcoming voice of TSCPA’s receptionist is hanging up the phone. Carolyn Lynn, TSCPA’s Customer Service Associate, retires at the end of April. Hear from her as she reflects on her years at TSCPA.
You’ve been working the front desk for 31 years. What was the Society like when you first got hired on Oct. 7, 1991?
The Society was not in this building; we were across the street, I think, for seven years. There were only nine employees when I was hired. Brad Floyd was the executive director. We had a peer review manager, CPE manager, communications manager and an administrative assistant. So yes, it was a small staff, and it was fun. I thought to myself, I'm really going to enjoy it here.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen?
The building we’re in now is big. And of course, our staff has grown to 18. While they were building this office, we would come over about two or three times a week to check on the progress and look around to see what was happening. And our membership has grown so much. There’s been just a lot of changes.
What will you remember most about your career with TSCPA?
Before TSCPA, I was a loan officer at Security Federal Bank; then I took another job as a travel agent. So, I was there about a year and a half. And then this job came open. When Brad called me, I thought, “Oh, I don't know if I can please these people or not,” but it just really worked out. What I remember most about my years with TSCPA are all the ways I grew. I learned so much on the computer, and I just loved working and talking with the members, and everybody was always so congenial, nice and supportive of everything. For me, it’s just been a good fit. I don't think I could have found another job that fit me better.
What are some of your most memorable experiences you’ve had at TSCPA?
I think it was 2016 when we were hit by a bad storm. The storm took part of the roof off a daycare next door to our building. Suddenly, in through our front door came all of these people just rushing in. There were all these babies screaming and crying and little children. And I thought, “What is going on?” We didn't know that the daycare had been hit until they started coming in. Of course, everybody started gathering tablecloths and paper towels, because we didn't have any towels and they were all wet from the rain. We jumped into action, helping the daycare workers tending to the children and tried our best to console them. It was really an experience.
On 9/11, we had classes here, and we had two or three big classes, and people were from all over; some had flown in from New York. And the professor, I think she was from New York. Everybody just began to panic. Of course, there were no flights going out. After about an hour, we canceled the classes, because nobody could concentrate on CPE. Their minds were just not into it. We don't ever want to go through that again.
What will you miss most about TSCPA?
I'm going to miss getting up every morning, getting dressed and coming to work. I’ll miss the staff. I made so many good friends. I'll miss the members, talking with them daily and listening to them. I will miss all the good perks that TSCPA gives its staff. I’ll miss it, but I'll come back every once in a while. I will miss this beautiful building. I always told Brad, “All we need now is a sunroof,” because I do enjoy all this light.
What do you look forward to most as you head into retirement?
I am going to enjoy time with friends and family and hope to do some traveling (and maybe just sleep in some). If I want to get dressed, I’ll dress -- If not, I’ll wear pajamas all day! So, it's going to be different, but it'll be fun.
Any final words?
Well, as I said before, TSCPA has been great for me. I have loved the people and the staff. It's been a great place to work, and I can recommend it to anybody!