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BY Cameron-Brooks

Meet Mary Lou White – Cameron-Brooks Team Member

Mary Lou White is not only one of the most integral players on the Cameron-Brooks team, she carries the most tenure with the company, having been there since its inception. The wealth of experience, knowledge and pure insight she has accumulated is literally unmatched in the military-to-corporate recruiting industry.

Tell us about your history with Cameron-Brooks.
Mary Lou White: I’ve been with Cameron-Brooks since its inception in May 1986 and helped to start the company, moving to Fredericksburg, TX with Roger Cameron and Rene Brooks from San Francisco, where they all worked together since 1977. My role for the first several years was with the Candidate Recruiting part of our business, scheduling candidates by phone, assisting Roger Cameron on recruiting trips to military base locations, developing the original Development and Preparation Program (DPP), handling the operations of our Career Conferences and helping to hire new employees. For the second half of my career, I have worked with the Client Services/Follow-Up part of our business. In this capacity, I have worked with the candidates and the client companies from the Career Conferences through the follow-up interview process. I have pretty much done just about everything in this company at some time or another!

What is your favorite part about working for Cameron-Brooks?
Mary Lou White: I would have to say my favorite part is being a part of launching candidates and their families into their new civilian careers. It is so gratifying to meet the candidates and the company clients at our Conferences and to see the light go on in their eyes when they meet each other and get excited about their future work together. And working with a fantastic group of teammates at Cameron-Brooks makes it possible for us to make that positive difference in these people’s lives. What could be better?

What is your best piece of advice for any JMO considering a transition?
Mary Lou White: My best advice would be to take the time to work through our DPP program – getting to know yourself well (strengths, weaknesses, development of skills) and to read the books on the reading list to learn about business and then to learn to comfortably communicate how your skills relate to business. Basically, use the tools CB provides because the tools have been developed and refined over the years to specifically streamline a candidate’s preparation.

What is your most memorable Cameron-Brooks story?
Mary Lou White: Well, I have a lot of funny stories from over the years! But probably the most memorable was when Roger Cameron crashed his small airplane in his front yard and he broke his jaw. He had to have his jaw wired together. This happened only a couple of weeks before a Career Conference. He still went to the Conference and he still led all of the main meetings and gave company briefings, all the while talking through clenched teeth. He even had to eat all of his meals through a straw. The candidates were blown away by his dedication and commitment to them. This is only one example of the selflessness of the Cameron-Brooks Team to do everything needed to help the candidates succeed!

Tell us about your passions outside of the office
Mary Lou White: My husband, my dogs and my home. I am involved in my church and enjoy road cycling and walking. Additionally, I enjoy spoiling my nieces, nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews. Faith, family and friends pretty well sum up my passions and my focus outside of work.

Tell us one thing on your bucket list.
Mary Lou White: My maiden name is Cunningham, which is Scottish. So, one thing on my bucket list is to go to Scotland. I would love to do other traveling around Europe as well. That may have to wait until I retire…though I don’t know when or if that will happen because I love my work!

Now that you’ve met Mary Lou White, go meet the rest of the Cameron-Brooks team!