As the marketing coordinator for Holland & Knight’s Jacksonville office, Paula Fleming stays pretty busy and that’s the way she like it.
GETTING A START
“Before I came here, I was a substitute teacher. It was a neat experience.” She filled in at schools all over the area, including Baldwin and Douglas Anderson, where she taught math, home economics and band. Before long, a temp job opened at the law firm of Gabel & Hair. Six months later, the firm combined with Holland & Knight and Fleming was asked to stay full-time. When an opening for a marketing coordinator came along, she applied and got the job. Four and half years later, she’s still on the job.
WHAT DOES SHE DO
AT THE FIRM?
Fleming is the behind the scenes support for the attorneys. She develops and implements written marketing materials, strategies and budgets and also acts as media liaison for the firm. “I have very diverse responsibilities,” she said. “That makes my job challenging at times, but that’s why I love it. I love learning new things.”
WHERE SHE’S FROM?
“I’m from a little town in Morris County, N.J.” Fleming moved with her family to Florida after she graduated from high school. “It’s too expensive for a young college graduate to try to live in New
Jersey.”
EDUCATION
Fleming is a graduate of the University of North Florida where she studied education and secondary English aimed at children in grades 6 -12. Her husband is there now. “It’s amazing to see how much the campus has grown since I graduated.”
ON HER DOWN TIME
“I love to read a variety of fiction books and also inspirational and Christian books.” Additionally, she likes spending time with her husband and friends and cross-stitching. Oddly enough, she doesn’t know how to use a sewing machine.
ROLE MODEL
“My ultimate role model is Jesus. He embodies all of the qualities that I think a person should have. Everyone else, pretty much pales in comparison, I think. Although, my husband reflects many of those qualities, too.”
FOR THE FUTURE
Aside from enjoying a thriving career at the firm, Fleming looks forward to watching Jacksonville grow and advance right before her eyes. “We have an exciting and bright future ahead of us.” Another exciting thing down the road for Fleming: she’s going to become a new mom in June. “I’m looking forward to staying on my career path, but being a mom will be a major priority.”
— by J. Brooks Terry