he passed away in 2000, it fell to Thomley to become CEO.
Although she hadn’t planned on running the
company, she was well-suited for the task. Not
only did she have extensive experience working
with human services companies, but she brought
a love of learning to the
role. That’s almost an understatement; she holds
degrees in psychology
with a rehabilitation emphasis, criminal justice,
clinical psychology, organizational management and psychopharmacology. So, when it came time to boost leadership
skills among Orion’s upper tiers, she went back to
school and took three company o;cers along.
“We all went to grad school together,” she
says. “I was a psychologist, not a ;nancial person, so I needed to know how to run the com-
« One simply
needs to look to
understand that
the work is far from
over in still-crippled
New Orleans. //
Rebecca Thomley
hard at work.
TALKING POINTS
pany. And having everyone go through the same
program put us all on the same page.”
During the team’s education at Concordia,
they developed a style of leadership that includ-
ed a focus on serving the community. Thomley
also brought in outside consultants, and has the
company’s operations audited every quarter, to
make sure the company stays on track. In the
meantime, she devotes a huge amount of energy
to Headwaters Relief and also to the American
Red Cross, where she’s a member of the organi-
zation’s stress team.
FOCUS ON EMPLOYEES >>
People underestimate how far the quality of leadership can take you. It’s more
than just being a good employer, it’s about enhancing the life circumstances
of the employees. For example, we have a daycare for employees, because I
didn’t leave my babies to go to work, and I don’t expect anyone else to. You
have to look toward enhancement, rather than just management.
TEAM APPROACH >>
When the o;cers of the company went through grad school together, it
gave us a unified platform for operating the company. We now have the
same leadership style and sense of focus. We became a mission-driven
organization.
DO THE RIGHT THING >>
I grew up in a family that valued volunteerism, community and commitment, and I’m very passionate about bringing those qualities to my family
and to the company. I think that extends to how we do business. We don’t
make decisions based on a profit model alone, we ask, “What’s the right
thing to do for the sta; and for the community?” I think that model of
leadership has brought us the best in the field, people who recognize the
value of that perspective.
Fair. Strength.
Smiles. Rooted.
Passion. Open.
Loyal. Strength.
Solutions. Agile.
Vision. Proven.
Genuine. One-to-One. Loyal.
Collaboration.
Agile. Intuitive.
Courage.Open.
Com mu n it y.
Solutions.Trust.
Opportunity.
Fair. Principles.
Dependable.
Solid. Honest.
Collaboration.
Jazzed. Trust.
Opportunity.
Solid. Honest.
Responsive.
Loyal. Strength.
Vision. Proven.
Heart. Steady.
Agile. It’s the
Western way.
Smiles. Rooted.
Solutions.Trust.
