Charmaine began her tenure with FIA in July, 1997.  As Accounting Associate on the Client Accounting Team, she is responsible for handling the company’s quarterly client cash management and cash distributions, as well as the company’s quarterly client performance returns and performance fee calculations.  In addition, she manages the Georgia timber tax function, as well as major aspects of the client property tax function.  Charmaine acts as a resource to management, auditors and consultants, providing performance-based data, as needed.  She also assists with maintenance of the vendor database in the company’s land resource management system.

Prior to her transfer to Client Accounting in 2005, Charmaine performed in the capacity of Manager of Employee Administration, working closely with the VP of Administration and the company’s President.  Her responsibilities involved handling the full scope of employee compensation and benefits, including payroll, quarterly bonuses, yearly performance incentives, health and other insurance coverages, as well as the employee stock ownership program.  She also acted as FIA’s SEC Compliance Officer.

Previous Experience

Before joining FIA, Charmaine worked with Mitsubishi Consumer Electronics, first as Assistant to the In-House Counsel, and later, as the Assistant to the Vice President of Corporate Human Resources.

What is your business philosophy?

“Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after an experience with you becomes your trademark.” – Jay Danzie.  Truly, it is the experience you create for others that determines what they will think of you and your company.

Why did you choose this field  / career path?

It is often said that in life, there are times when you choose your path, but also times when the path chooses you.  My experience has been the latter.

Having had the opportunity to work closely alongside stellar employees, like Sam Grice and Ginger Beshears, from my very inception with FIA, persons whose work ethics exemplify FIA’s core values, has been truly priceless to me.

What is one of the best lessons you’ve learned during your career?

A person of note once said “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent.  It is the one that is most adaptable to change.” I have experienced many changes throughout my tenure at FIA, which have spurred my growth, personally and professionally.  I’ve become better at communicating, problem-solving, and definitely resourcefulness and resiliency, to name a few skill sets.