Photo courtesy of Laura Wills Photography
Once upon a time a little baby girl was born On August 21, 1962 to Robert and Pauline Procter…
I grew up in a suburb of Chicago and graduated from the University of Iowa, where I earned a BA in Communications. After moving to Des Moines in 1986, I ended up in hotel sales and marketing. From the start, it was the perfect fit, and after two years as a Sales Manager, I became Director of Sales at a hotel in Clive.
In 2001, I joined the West Des Moines Marriott as Director of Sales. The hotel business is more than just selling guest rooms and banquet space. It’s about creating relationships, networking and building trust. Actually, many of my clients are people I have encountered in my personal life. You really can’t separate the two when you’re in sales.
I was recently appointed to the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce and volunteered to chair the Ambassador Committee. I thought my time and energy could be put to good use welcoming new companies and members to the Chamber, and helping them see and experience the value in being involved with the Chamber.
My husband, Steve, and I have been married for 27 years. We’ve lived in Waukee for the past 18 years. We have no plans to leave until we’re ready to head to the Lake of the Ozarks for our retirement, but that’s still a few years down the road.
My husband owns a lawn care business called S & L Lawn Care Service. In the 13 years I’ve been with the West Des Moines Marriott, I’ve also played the role of Administrative Professional for his business. S & L stands for Snow & Lawn as well as Steve & Laura!
The other loves in my life are my sons, Evan and Garrett. Evan graduated from Waukee High School in 2008. He won an international modeling competition in New York this past summer and was picked up by Wilhelmina, one of the world’s most prestigious modeling agencies. He moved to Los Angeles last September and is enjoying great success. My younger son, Garrett, graduated from Waukee High School in 2011.
He’s a junior at the University of Iowa and a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
If you were to ask me my favorite thing about Waukee, it’s that it has a “small town” feel with a splash of cosmopolitan flare. I also love that you can go almost anywhere in Waukee and run into someone you know.
That’s a good thing unless you’re running errands on a Saturday morning with no make-up, glasses and a ponytail! It’s a melting pot of sorts – folks born and raised in Waukee, longtime residents like myself and people just moving in from other places near and far.
Together, we all bring something to Waukee that gives it life, energy and balance.