50th Anniversary Series: Michelle Lloyd

Systems Unlimited is celebrating 50 years of providing quality services to people living with disabilities and mental health needs across eastern Iowa. People we serve, families, volunteers and staff all have contributed to Systems in special and meaningful ways. Over this next year, some of these stories will be told through our website and social media.

Today we speak with Michelle Lloyd. Michelle has worked for Systems for twenty-two years total. She had a few years at other agencies but decided to come back.  Michelle recently received an award for Women of Achievement in Leadership from Waypoint. Here is what she has to say about working at Systems over the years and receiving the award.

1. What roles have you had while working at Systems? I started as a Cost Accountant, became the payroll accountant in January 1997, held that job until May 2003, Finance Manager until I left in 2007, came back as Senior Accountant and then promoted to Assistant Director of Finance until I left in 2010 and then Director of Finance when I came back in 2011.
2. What is your current job and what do you do in it? Vice President of Administration.  I am in charge of all of the Finance Department which includes all of the Accounting Managers, Staff Accountants, the HUD manager, Payroll department and the Payees.  Also, Fleet Facilities falls under me which includes the FF Managers and the Maintenance supervisors and assistants.  Anything to do with Cars, vans, wheelchair vans, houses we own, houses we rent, and offices.
3. What is it about Systems that keeps you here? There are a couple of things.  I have been able to grow and learn new things, take on more responsibility but the thing I like the best is that I get to do something I am reasonably good at (accounting) for a company that makes a difference in people’s lives every single day.  Not seeing the people we serve who would come into the day program has been one of the hardest things this past year.
4. It is our 50^th year since we opened, what are some of your fondest memories? Employee picnics and grill outs, awards ceremonies, seeing the people we serve working on art, singing during sing alongs in the day program, the joy on the faces of the people getting awards and being able to speak at the ceremonies.
5. What was Systems like when you first started? When I first started, we were in the building on First Ave and all three of the people in accounting were in the same office.  I remember Mike McKay telling me we had around 500 employees and at the time, we were the 5^th largest employer in the city.  Our budget when I first took over in 2003 was around $5 million dollars and that stayed pretty consistent for a long time.

   

6. What has been some of the best changes you have seen? One of the biggest is being financially stable.  Before I left in 2007, we would have to call IME to make sure we were getting paid that week so we could process payroll.  It was really good to be in a place this last year that we could easily purchase PPE, put Covid pay into place, etc. without having to worry too much.  Buying new houses for some of our rental houses has been something that makes me happy too.
7. You recently were given an award by Waypoint for Women in Leadership. Can you tell us more about that? I was one of thirty women that Waypoint honored this year in their annual Tribute to Women of Achievement.  My award was under their leadership category.  Our Financial auditors were the ones who nominated me for the award.  I was honored and humbled to be included with the group of amazing women with such great achievements.  I had to do a short acceptance speech which, thank God, was via Zoom. If you want to watch the program you can still see it on the Waypoint Facebook page.  Here is the link:  https://www.facebook.com/waypointservices

Thanks for all you do for Systems Michelle and congratulations on your very deserved award!