Tackett caps career with another record
year
January, 2009 -
"It has been a great honor to serve
in an agency that was created by President Lincoln to improve the lives of
people living in Rural America," said Tackett. "That's an amazing
legacy to be part of."
Tackett began her career in 1966 as a
clerk in the
Tackett worked her way up through the
ranks, serving in a number of different capacities in
Under her leadership remarkable progress
was made. In 2008, more than 678,000 Tennesseans were impacted by Rural
development investments, which topped a record $435 million. These investments
were delivered by a staff of 138 people – that's over $227 million more than
just eight years ago, when the organization had a workforce of 165 people.
Productivity has risen every year
Tackett has been State Director thanks to the hard work and innovative ideas
her positive leadership encourages from staff.
"By focusing on planning and
accountability, better marketing and cross-training we've found the means to do
a whole lot more with what we have," said Tackett. "We've
continuously reduced overhead, now less than three percent of each dollar
invested, so more gets to the people we are here to help."
In 2003 Under Secretary for Rural
Development Tom Dorr also appointed Tackett to serve as chairperson of Rural
Development’s newly created National Marketing Task Force made up of state
directors and the marketing firm Osborne-Barr. Over the last five years this
committee has developed communications and outreach strategies that are
revolutionizing the way Rural Development programs are delivered to the public
and local governments.
Tackett also completed numerous
leadership and community development programs and earned an American Management
Association Degree. Tackett is a graduate of the WestStar Leadership Program at
Under Tackett’s leadership RD
Tennessee regularly delivers more than 100 percent of its initial state allocation
of funds. Each year as State Director, Tackett's good reputation, planning and
strong track record allowed her to bring in unused dollars from other states
and to successfully compete for additional funds from national office reserves.
Last year alone her work resulted in the
Tackett credits the remarkable
success to teamwork.
"We have been united by our
passion to improve the lives of people in the communities where we live and
work," she said. "And we've had great support from
Tackett has also emphasized the
benefit of developing partnerships with the private sector.
"Last year alone, more than 400
private lenders, non-profits and state agencies partnered with us, adding an
additional $65 million to help us build up rural communities across the state,"
said Tackett.
"Spending all 43 years of my
career with a single organization is an unusual accomplishment now days,"
Tackett said. "But looking back, I can see that we've made a difference
that will last long into the future."
Tackett's retirement became effective
January 3, 2009.
Committed to the future of rural
communities in
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