THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 7, 1996 TAG: 9601050159
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
GROWING UP a military brat, Claudia Macon learned early that to succeed in life you need goals.
At 25, Macon is the new business manager at the Portsmouth Campus of Tidewater Community College. She holds a master's degree in business administration from Old Dominion University and a bachelor's degree in finance.
Her father was in the Army, and Macon grew up in various parts of the world, mostly Germany. She matured early, realizing that German youngsters began full-time apprenticeship jobs by age 15. The apprenticeships eventually lead to careers.
``In Germany, you have an idea of what you want when you're young,'' she said.
What Macon wanted was to make money, so she opted to study business. After completing her studies, she worked for Vanguard Energy Services, a French-owned coal-import company. Earlier, she worked for Ernst & Young as a computer consultant in accounting.
At TCC, responsibilities include budget balancing and supervising the switchboard and campus security, plus daily operations of the business office.
Macon is planning a baby book, an idea that came about after she had a difficult time finding one for her 15-month-old daughter, Bianca. She envisions a book to track the progress of a growing baby.
What brought you here? Study at Old Dominion University.
Birthdate/Hometown: Sept. 22, 1969. Grew up in Zweibrucken, Germany, and Fort Lee, Va. My parents settled down in Prince George County, which I refer to as home now.
Fondest childhood memory: Vacations in such places as Italy, Spain and Germany. I guess the best was sitting around the campfire on the beach in Italy, having freshly boiled mussels with lemon and pepper.
Marital status/Children: Single. A daughter, Bianca, 15 months old.
Pets: Two cats: Schatze, ``dear'' in German; and Neko, ``cat'' in Japanese. Two neighborhood outdoor cats have adopted us: Simba, after my daughter's favorite lion; and Smokey, a Blue Persian.
First job/Worst job: United Way loan executive in Chesapeake. My worst job was as an inventory counter with RGIS, the worst of three jobs I was holding down while in college full-time.
Occupation: Business manager for the Portsmouth Campus of Tidewater Community College.
If you had a choice, what other job would you choose? I would be a professor of business. I am working toward that goal by gearing up to go back to school for my doctorate.
What's your favorite hangout? Since I have had my daughter, McDonald's, with the indoor playground.
Favorite night out on the town: Few and far between, but I like to take in dinner and a movie. I have also been known to visit the local bingo halls every once in a while.
Favorite food/drink: Schnitzel and Knodel (potato dumplings); Sprite or juice.
I can't resist: Pinching, kissing and otherwise playing with my daughter's huge baby cheeks.
Few people know that I: I love to renovate homes, and I am always working on some type of home improvement project.
Most embarrassing moment: Preparing to gas up my car, I picked up the hose and turned to push down the lever to ``on.'' At the same time, I was accidentally pointing the nose of the hose into the open window of the passenger's side of my car. Worse still, I was already pumping the gas. It took three months to get the smell of gas out of my car!
If you won the lottery, what would you do/buy? Pay all my debts, as well as those of my family and close friends, provide an educational foundation or scholarship fund for single mothers and put the remainder in wise investments for my daughter's education, my retirement and to put me through three more years of school.
What is the best advice you've been given and by whom? Dear friends have told me throughout my life, ``No matter how menial the job or task, always do your best because someone is always watching.''
What's the best thing about yourself? I extend many favors, but I do not play favorites.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would you be and why? I am happy being me.
What achievements are you most proud of? Getting myself through college and completing my master's degree by the time I was 24.
Something you wish to say but haven't: ``Thank you'' to my Mom and Dad for bringing me into this world against all the odds they faced at the time. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Claudia Macon's responsibilities at TCC include budget balancing,
supervising the switchboard and campus security, plus daily
operations of the business office.
by CNB