As Executive Assistant to the President, Ruth Ann Whatley has proven herself to be an indefatigable multitasker who performs with grace under pressure.
Her typical day entails reviewing the CEO’s busy schedule, emails and ensuring smooth operations around the Executive office. She’s involved in planning events, press activities and releases, marketing materials, board and staff meetings, and some client activities when possible. Whatley also designs the monthly newsletter and handles social media.
“Working so closely with the CEO, I get to see all aspects of the organization, how everyone works together to serve our clients,” she says. “It’s a good feeling to be part of helping small businesses and seeing a positive impact. I especially enjoy the social media and newsletter responsibilities because I get to interact with clients and tell their stories.”
“In addition to genuinely caring about ACE’s clients, Ruth Ann brings dynamic energy, unmatched organizational skills, and a cheerful attitude to her work for ACE,” says President and CEO Grace Fricks, “She has made herself indispensable to me and our entire operations.”
Before coming to ACE three years ago, Whatley held various positions, but the main focus of her career has been in client service and accounting. She worked in the financial industry for over 20 years and has experience in the medical, telecommunications and IT industries. Most recently she was employed by MIS Solutions, a world-class IT support organization in Suwanee.
A native Georgian, she was born in Atlanta, and attended Tift College and Georgia State University, where her studies were focused on mathematics and accounting. She recently married Scott Whatley, and the couple moved to Clarkesville to be closer to her parents, daughter, and grandchildren.
In her down time, Whatley enjoys hiking in the mountains, watching movies, and staying in touch with friends all over the United States, from high school and college. She also loves to travel, and, ever the social butterfly, she makes an annual pilgrimage to Ormond Beach, Florida, with a group of more than 50 of her closest friends. In October, she will head for New England, and she has scheduled an Alaskan cruise for spring.
“My favorite thing in the world, though, is being a ‘Mimi’ to my grandchildren – Aubree Jane and Landon,” she says.
