Photo by Christina VanHorn,
UNH Human Resources

Deb started her UNH career in 1977 as a Facilities Stockroom Clerk and was later promoted to Facilities/Purchasing Accountant. She then took a position with USNH Purchasing where she stayed in till 1982. Deb then took the following 10 years to stay home and raise her family and came back to UNH Purchasing in 1993.

In 1996, the PCard program began as a pilot and Deb assumed the role of Campus Card Administrator for UNH, the System Office, UNH-M and CLL. The program began as a controlled pilot, with a small number of PCards users. Now in full rollout, the number of PCards has grown to almost 2000 for UNH, the System Office and CLL. In order to hold a PCard, all cardholders and managers attend a training session. Deb has been training cardholders since the programs inception. "In regards to dollar volume of purchases made using the PCard, we started at less than a million dollars a year and are now close to $30 million dollars a year," Smith states. "The program has grown exponentially and Deb can still keep her fingers on the pulse of the program, the account managers, and the cardholders."

With a program of this magnitude, Deb's position requires an individual with strong interpersonal and customer service skills. Deb mentions "team work, cooperation, communication, extensive knowledge of the product, and a smile" as other necessary skills. She communicates on a daily basis with the credit card issuing bank (JP Morgan Chase), cardholders and account managers. With a tremendous commitment to both the PCard program and to all cardholders and account managers, Deb is the consummate team player. She is quick to credit others, stating "each member of our USNH Purchasing Office has been a valuable resource for the program. I love working with the campuses. It's a team effort every day. The work is challenging and different each morning."

"Deb has built relationships with so many cardholders and account managers," Smith explains. "She takes the time to try to understand their needs. She values each and every relationship that she has built over the years in the world of PCards. Even though Deb's days are hectic, she takes the time with customers to listen. She has an incredible ability to be empathetic and patient; qualities needed in a customer service type of position. Each need is handled professionally and with care. By nature, Deb is a nurturer. This is evidenced in her relationships with her family, friends, co-workers, and with the University community. She cares! Deb continues to be the perfect ambassador for the PCard program!" Jackie Nyberg (Purchasing Agent) says about Deb "To me, she represents the classic 'strong work ethic' and good old customer service. Deb's days are consumed with helping others and she is so good at it. She is a wonderful resource to her customers, truly listens to them and doesn't stop until the problem is solved! I know that Deb has not only built many strong working relationships, but many important friendships as well!"

When asked what is most satisfying about her job, Deb says "my support staff at the USNH/UNH Purchasing office and the range of customers, from campus to vendors, whom I assist each day. Being involved on a daily basis with the people who keep the University humming. A job very well done at the end of the day." And when asked who at UNH has had a positive impact on her she says "Denise Smith (Director of USNH/UNH Purchasing) and each co-worker that has been in our office in the past 16 years. My department is amazing!"

Looking back, it seemed to have been in the cards that Deb would some day work at UNH. "I was born and raised in Durham, just off Edgewood Road," she explains. "My brother John and sister Polly attended Oyster River High School when it opened. My father, brother and I are graduates from UNH and my brother is an active alumnus. When Kellogg Center/NEC opened in 1970 my mother, Statia Anglin, was the hostess during the work week, and I took up the reins on the weekend. I became hooked on serving the UNH campus. I have walked this campus all my life and love it. I enjoy working with the campuses and being part of the academic world and working with my peers. The campus is a magical place in 2 feet of snow or in full bloom in the summer months."

Deb resides in Newmarket, NH with her husband of 28 years, Ron (an avid fly fisherman), son (Todd, 23) and daughter (Kate, 21), both children attend UNH. She enjoys gardening around her home, supporting the UNH hockey team, and kayaking on Mendum's Pond.