Accounting degree from UACCB changes former student's life
by Angela Connell
UACCB Freelance Writer
BATESVILLE - At the age of 18 Jeffery Poff, of Strawberry, went to work on the line at ConAgra Foods. Poff stayed on the line for six years when he finally decided that he wanted more out of life. He wanted to learn, and realized that he couldn't go any further in his position.
Poff felt like he was lacking social and communication skills and knew that this was something that he wanted to work on. Poff would go on to obtain his associate degree in accounting from the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville which would change his life forever.
Over the years Poff worked at companies such as Douglas Quickcut of Walnut Ridge and GDX. "Douglass Quickcut was a failing and outdated company," he said. Due to the foreign labor act when the company shut down Poff was able to attend school at UACCB for two years.
The next phase of Poff's life started with the help of a job placement agency at GDX to do clerical work. Poff became interested in the plant processes, and saw an opportunity to utilize his accounting skills. He pointed out to management the plants waste issues and was soon promoted to VAVE engineer to control waste and monitor continuous improvement for the company.
"I feel so fortunate, so blessed to have had the professors at UACCB be a part of my life," he said. "My professors inspired me to work very hard. Oral Communications was the hardest class I ever had to take at UACCB; however, after that class I realized that I had something to say. In fact, I had a lot to say."
He said his education has provided him with so many opportunities in this life. "While working with GDX, I helped launch the Ford Edge program, created nine parts on the Lincoln MKX, three parts on the Ford Escape Hybrid, and had the opportunity to travel and see the world until the plant shut down," he said. "Then I had to choose go back to work or school. I had a new baby, so I decided to go back to work."
Poff returned as a production manager at ConAgra Foods where he would see the plant for the first time from a different point of view. Poff, now 34, has since been promoted to warehouse shipping and receiving manager. Poff intends to go back to school in January 2009.
"I love hanging out with my family, especially my boys," he said. "I have three sons. They are 15, 12 and 2. As far as my hobbies and interests go, I consider myself a very eclectic person. I enjoy all sorts of things from hunting, fishing, shooting sports, classical music, wine making (learned how to make wine from reading a book about it in the UACCB library), foreign rock music and art."
When asked about his favorite professor at UACCB Poff said,"Where do I begin? Tracy Broadwater is one of those professors who will teach you as much as you want to be taught. She is challenging. She has this unique way of seeing your potential and I came back for more every semester! I appreciate her greatly and know that she played a major role in my success and helped me with personal growth."
"My accounting principles have had a huge effect on my life. If I could speak to the younger people, the students at UACCB now, I would tell them to treat college less as a place to be and more of an event because it's all here. You will get out what you put in."
Tracy Broadwater, UACCB accounting instructor said, "Jeff was a wonderful student and was fun to have in class. He loves to learn, and he was always able to see how the material we were learning could apply to real-world situations. One of my favorite e-mails is one Jeff sent to me after he graduated telling me how he was using what he learned at UACCB in his job. I have enjoyed staying in touch with Jeff and hearing about the opportunities he has had since earning his degree. I am very proud of him!"
