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But the couple purchased a house in Sylva's Fairview community and soon made Jackson County their new home.
That was 10 years ago. Now Linda Gillman is making a new move... into the directorship of the Family Resource Center, a position recently vacated when Linda McElroy took a job with WestCare.
"One of the best things about this area is the good spirited people," said this former advertising coordinator with the Project Management Institute. "So many people in this area do interesting things with their lives.
"I love my new job because I am doing something to help the community, and that's a great incentive," she said.
One of her first goals in this new position is to generate more public recognition for the programs at the Family Resource Center.
"We are here for everybody, and I think we need to stress that point," she said. "Some people think we are only here for the low-income or those who might be having problems parenting, for instance. But what one of us hasn't had a problem with parenting at some point in our life?" said this mother of seven.
Next, she would like to "carry on the financial stability of the center. I'd like to carry that one step further and see us have additional stable funding."
In addition, she plans to "increase collaboration with other county programs."
People who've worked with her on projects, like Sylva Partners in Renewal, describe her as a "visionary."
"Some people only see what is right in front of them. Take an old house, for instance. Some people could look at it and think that it's not worth fooling with. Then others see the potential for what it could be. Me, I'm one of those who likes to image what could be," said Linda Gillman, past chairman of SPIR's design committee.
She brings with her many years experience managing non-profits, including chambers of commerce. As a certified association executive, she's completed Institutes of Organizational Management programs.
"I've studied every aspect of non-profit management; my expertise is non-profit law," said this graduate of University of Georgia, Brantley University (Texas) and Texas Christian University.
On a personal note, she's a gardener with a passion for reading, especially philosophy and physics. "My favorite subjects are quantum physics and religions of the world I like to read how they affect different cultures." She's a member of Friends for Hunter Library.
She and her huaband have seven grown children, 10 grandchildren and currently shelter 21 cats.
The FRC staff, their expertise, capabilities, experience and dedication impress her and help make her job easier.
"During my interview, the FRC board asked me how long I planned to be here," she said. "I told them, 'I want to be here as long as I can possibly work.' Hopefully it's a long run - a long, successful run."
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Gillman