Wow, 34 years! I tell everyone that when I came to work for Farm Bureau in April of 1985, I was only going to work long enough to pay off the car my husband and I had just bought. I’ve lost count as to how many cars ago that was.

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I started in 1985 as the Documentation Clerk in the Finance Department, then two years later I became the Bookkeeper for Farm Bureau Mutual, which at the time was a position in the Operations Department under Leon Terrill. In 1989 when we made the move to the building on 7th Avenue, management moved the Bookkeeping position to the Accounting Department, so then Phil Joslin was my supervisor. In 1990 a family tragedy put me in a position where I needed to reduce the number of hours I worked a week, and graciously, Farm Bureau offered me a 30 hours a week position in the Printing Department, which at that time was in the Operations Department and had seven employees. After a year I was able to return to full-time and I decided to stay in Printing. During my time in Printing the department shifted a couple times… once it was under Underwriting and I worked for Dave Burnham and then for a time it was under I.S. and Edythe Joslin was my supervisor. The last time the Printing Department changed was to go back to Operations and at that time Dan Hoffa was the V.P… and now David Acevedo. So, even though I’ve had "kind of" the same job since 1990, I’ve worked in a lot of departments for a lot of different supervisors and managers.

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I have loved the MANY opportunities that Farm Bureau has given me over the years to learn and progress. I’m grateful for the computer skills they have helped me develop and will always be extremely grateful for the wonderful people that I’ve had the opportunity to work with, both Home Office employees and those in the field.

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I’ve seen quite a few changes over the years at the Bureau… I remember when we went "paperless" in the 90’s…LOL! But, it truly is amazing how much the processes for everything here have changed.

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I married my high school sweetheart, John, in 1975 and we had two children, one boy and one girl. I have three beautiful granddaughters, a great-granddaughter and two great-grandsons. John and I have already purchased a home in Apache Junction, Arizona. We are selling our home in Inkom and will be moving to Arizona permanently the first week of July. We have a home-based firearms store and we travel to guns shows several times a month. We plan on continuing that for as long as we can. We love to golf and travel, so I look at it this way… for years now I’ve worked Monday through Friday and had the weekends for family, gun shows, and golf. Now I will have Monday through Friday off to golf and enjoy traveling and family and then I’ll work on the weekends at gun shows. Seems like a most reasonable tradeoff and one we are very happy with.

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I really do want to express to all those I’ve had the opportunity to work with and rub shoulders with at Farm Bureau that it has been a pleasure and I will miss the people of Farm Bureau, if not the daily grind.

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NOTES FROM TAMI'S COWORKERS

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Tami for many years, most recently in the same department. She has always been someone who is always willing to do anything asked of her or needed, like handling those last-minute rush requests she gets so often. She does it all while keeping a positive attitude. Although I am very jealous, I wish her well in retirement. 

-David Acevedo, Chief Operating Officer

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There are two things I know for sure that I can get from Tami – an answer to any question I might have and a friendly smile. She is very knowledgeable and has always been so helpful and great to work with.
I wish her the very best in retirement! 

-Crystal Bernier, Administrative Assistant to the COO

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Congrats on your well-deserved retirement. I hope you get to enjoy it at least as many years as you have worked! I want you to know how much I admire your unwavering optimism and enthusiasm, and thank you for your willingness to always do whatever was necessary to get the job done. You will be sorely missed. I wish you the best health, happiness, and golf courses on your journey ahead. Let the fun begin!

-Marsha Ferguison, Administrative Assistant to the CEO

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Tami made life easier for me in two different ways. First, as a brilliant, creative professional who performed miracles on a daily basis. And second, as a friendly, good-hearted person who was a breath of fresh air and a pleasure to be around. Thank you for all your help, humor, and patience over the years Tami. We'll miss you. Enjoy the Grand Canyon state.

-Mike Myers, Director of Corporate Marketing

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I have had the opportunity to work with Tami for over 20 years at the        Bureau. She has always carried a great attitude and willingness to work    with whatever printing idea we came up with. She has been a tremendous  asset to our company and we greatly appreciate all she has done. Tami- best of luck in your retirement, you deserve it! Oh, and don’t forget to  outline! (An inside joke we have had for many years)

 -Darin Pfost, Agent, Middleton

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Tami and I grew up in Inkom. I am a bit senile so I don’t remember too much back then. She is a bit older than me (a year?) and lived on the other side of the tracks (literally). Her parents were amazing, well respected people in the community. Her mother made the most incredible custard pies ever! I thought of Tami as the spoiled rich girl from Marsh Creek who always won the Grand Champion Steer at the county fair! 

 

When I came to work for Farm Bureau nearly 35 years ago in the Finance Company, Tami was already working there. We immediately hit it off and became good friends. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone that could multi-task like Tami. She has unreal intelligence and could do three or four things at once and never miss a beat. She never let personal problems, tragedy, or life’s trials interfere with her performance at work.

Her cheerful enthusiasm and sense of humor have brightened the day for me as well as many others. And that laugh… that wonderful laugh! It just lifts my spirits and cracks me up!

 

Before life got crazy, I used to make a Christmas run bearing gifts and good tidings. We would head down to see Dan and Marguerite Davids in Lava first, (usually after 10 p.m.), and then head over to see J.P. and Tamara Jo (Tami). It was always on Christmas Eve and was usually between about midnight or 2 a.m. by the time we got to Marsh Creek. We would visit and laugh for hours before I would roll out with my plate of homemade cookies and candy. Tami is also a terrific cook! I will always cherish those great memories.

 

Tamara Jo, you will be missed! I am envious of you and hope you guys have a great time. Julie and I love you and your family. We appreciate your love, support, friendship, and laughter over the years. You have a heart of gold. I am sure you will end up in the Celestial Kingdom for putting up with friends like me and a husband like J.P.!            . 

-Craig Stephenson, Agent, Idaho Falls

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I have had the great privilege of working with Tami for the past 17 years. I have especially enjoyed the last couple of years as I have got to work more closely with her. Since I have been sitting near Tami I have got to witness the incredible amount of last minute rush items she accomplishes every day. If I had a dollar for every time I said or heard someone tell her, “I know this is short notice but…” I would be able to retire too. Although I will miss Tami, I couldn’t be more happy for her. 

-Josh Stuart, Director of Human Resources

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A retirement reception for Tami and Greg Murray will be held at the Home Office lunchroom on Friday, June 28, at 2:00 PM. Please join us in thanking Tami and Greg for their dedicated service and wishing them the best in their retirement.

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EMPLOYEE NEWS

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