Okefenoke REMC’s Hilliard office is pleased to welcome Destiny Pooser as its new customer service representative. Pooser actually joined the co-op in late July and had been training at headquarters in Nahunta, Georgia, but is now happy to be assisting OREMC consumer-members in her hometown.

Pooser explains she was looking for a new opportunity when she became aware of an opening at OREMC, “Having worked at FNB South in Folkston for nearly 10 years—teller, customer service representative, loan officer, then assistant manager— to continue to grow professionally would mean working elsewhere and I wanted to stay local. I had heard what a great organization OREMC was to work for, and the job was in my hometown.”

 “As we looked ahead in our workforce planning, we wanted to position ourselves for a smooth transition and ensure continuity of service in anticipation of the planned retirement of multiple, long-time employees,” explains Nancy While, OREMC Customer Service Supervisor. “Destiny offered the ideal combination of experience and community connections that makes her a good fit with our customer service team.”

 Since making the leap from banking to OREMC Pooser says she has learned a lot, noting, “I wasn’t an active OREMC member before working here and didn’t realize the co-op difference. From top to bottom I have learned how power works—that is more than just a flip of a switch—so I can better serve our members as customer service is more than just answering the phone.”

While she is adjusting to being the “new girl” for the first time in 10 years, Pooser says everyone has been welcoming. Seeing familiar faces come through the drive-thru has helped her settle in as well. “A lot of my customers here were customers at the bank, and they trust me as customer service representative because I’m part of the community,” Pooser explains. “They tell me the like having someone else they know on the inside.”

 A graduate of Hilliard Middle-Senior High School, Pooser went to work at Bank of America’s corporate office in Jacksonville straight out of high school where she worked her way up in the home equity department. She took a three-year hiatus after the birth of her daughter, now 12. Together with her husband, Brandon, the family enjoys time together on the river, ridding buggies at their hunt club and cheering on the Jacksonville Jaguars. They are avid Jags fans and also enjoy being part of a Fantasy Football League.