Sponsored by 40 Under Forty Hobbies/Hidden Talents I like to golf with my husband, play with my two daughters, and travel. Professional, community, and civic organizations: CADA, Calvert City Lions Club, Marshall County Bar Association, Kentucky Lake Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors What initially inspired you to pursue your profession? I was always interested in how I could help others and now I get to help protect the citizens of our county when they are the victim of a crime. I’ve become particularly focused on protecting children. What specific steps or strategies did you take to become successful in your field? When I was in law school I interned for the County Attorney’s office and fell in love with it. I always knew this is where I wanted to be. I was in private practice and worked as a public defender but my dream was always to make it back to this office. Have you had any mentors or role models who have influenced your professional growth? When I was an intern in the County Attorney’s office I worked with Lisa Carter. Lisa showed me you could be dedicated to your job while still being dedicated to your family. Lisa showed me a work/life balance that I’ve tried to model my career after. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? Keep showing up. I was always keeping in contact with the County Attorney’s office and never gave up. 24 SEPTEMBER 2023 Hobbies/Hidden Talents: Hunting, fishing, sports, spending time with family Professional, community, and civic organizations: Graves County Economic Development Board Member, Graves County Bale Trail Chair, Fulton County Bale Trail Chair, Stuff the Tractor Chair, Coats for Kids Chair What initially inspired you to pursue your profession? Farmers have always amazed me. A farmer wears many hats: cultivator of the land, meteorologist, chemist, mechanic, along with many other titles. Their work ethic, responsibilities, and unwavering faith have always intrigued me, and that is why sixteen years ago, I became part of River Valley AgCredit. One of the most important things a farmer needs is reliable financing and other related services. River Valley AgCredit consistently provides those services in both good times and bad. My career is dedicated to promoting agriculture and farming. I enjoy standing on Capitol Hill, promoting agriculture and farm bills, to help better our agriculture community. What specific steps or strategies did you take to become successful in your field? I started at the bottom as a twenty- one-year-old college student and worked my way up the ladder by excelling in each position I was tasked with. I became successful in my career by always maintaining a positive attitude, even during trying times. I always say YES to any task. There is no task too big or too small. I believe in myself and have not found anything I can’t accomplish through hard work and dedication. Professional, community, and civic organizations: Heartland Church Connect Ministry Teacher/Support Staff, Heartland Church Cabinet Member, Healthy at Home Initiative Director, Paducah Area Young Life Leader What initially inspired you to pursue your profession? It began with my high school teacher and her anatomy class where I found that I was very interested in anatomy and physiology, and later realized that neuroanatomy really peaked my interests and curiosity. Through this, I became aware of all the things that can go wrong and work against us in our attempts to live a happy, healthy, and long life. I chose to be a therapist because we get the privilege of being present and active in resolving the condition or problem to allow individuals to resume life as they intended. What is the best piece of business advice that you’ve ever received? “Mean what you say, say what you mean, and stand by it.” Therapy and rehabilitation is a tough business because as soon as your goal becomes money, the quality of work and focus on the patients as individuals declines. There are many instances where unforeseen circumstances occurred that caused the facts and information I provided to change, and the agreements I made not being able to work to the benefit of both our company and the patients. In choosing to honor our word that was given upfront, we’ve lost money several times, but gained a patient for life. Success is through changed lives, not finances. Shea Weaks Marketing Manager & Legislative Officer, River Valley AgCredit Stephanie Powell Assistant County Attorney, Marshall County Attorney’s Office Steffin Beasley SLP, Director of Senior Care for Western KY, Atlas Physical Therapy
