I am so blessed to make a living by helping others. Financial matters can be confusing, frightening and even overwhelming! Each day, I sit down and help people overcome financial concerns and obstacles. I also get to help my community with our fraternal programs and activities. It’s very rewarding.

Starkville and the surrounding area, though I have members throughout Mississippi. Additionally, I'm licensed in Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, Indiana, North Carolina and Texas.

life insurance, annuities, mutual funds and variable annuities.

individuals and small-business owners. My special passion is teaching the basics to those who might otherwise be too intimidated to ask questions, or who feel investing is simply too overwhelming to understand. Never! I do a great deal of work with members of the Mississippi state retirement system (PERS) and I understand that system very well.

Mississippi State University for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I also have several financial certifications from The American College of Financial Services.

the fact that my members and I regularly put over $100,000 back into our Starkville-area community annually! This comes in the form of service projects, Matching Fund projects, educational events and honoring Hometown Heroes. How blessed am I to work for an organization that makes this a part of my job?

was director of student affairs at Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine for 14 years, and then an independent communication strategist for several years.

it offered the opportunity for me to be heavily involved in my community – plus support individuals in my community with their financial and retirement planning needs. It truly is the best of both worlds. After 10-plus years with the organization, I continue to be prouder of Modern Woodmen every single day.

seeing the light bulb come on – the look in a person's eyes when they "get it." Whether we're discussing life insurance, investing, college planning or a community service activity, knowing my members are part of the decision-making process - rather than blindly following my lead - is very important to me.

I called the grandfather of a young man whose death I heard about on the local news. Years earlier, I helped the grandfather purchase life insurance on all his grandchildren. Obviously, I would’ve preferred not to have to call him years later. But he said, "Barbara, I don't know what we would be doing right now if I hadn't run into you that day."

I firmly believe that God brought me to Modern Woodmen. What I do through this career is a ministry, and I am so incredibly grateful!