Nancy Wilkison is the human resources specialist at Life of the South Corporation on the corner of Bay and Laura streets. Recently, she was named one of the chairpersons for the Florida-Georgia Blood Alliance.
WHAT SORT OF BUSINESS IS LIFE OF THE SOUTH?
Third party administration of claims and premiums for insurance companies is its main line of work. Additionally, they write policies for credit life, disability and health insurance. “The market we go after is other companies whose business we can handle for them.”
WHAT ARE HER
MAIN DUTIES?
She handles employee benefits, payroll and hiring. She is also in charge of paying the company’s bills and coordinating the company’s annual blood drive.
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE BLOOD DRIVE?
“It originated as part of my job. The company has an annual blood drive. This year we’re doing two, maybe more. We invite anyone in the building or across the street [in the Bank of America tower]. I work with the blood bank [as chair] to coordinate dates, get flyers out and familiarize people with the process.”
HOW IS THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY FARING?
“Since I’ve been here, the company has grown. We’ve had cutbacks, but we were able to replace everybody in-house. The company has managed to weather [the economy], survive and do well. For its size, it’s a very good company to work for.”
HOW BIG IS THE COMPANY?
Locally, the firm occupies the first five floors of the Life of the South building. The Jacksonville branch is its headquarters and employs 180 people. “The company originated in Nashville, Ga., but we have associates in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. For the most part, we’re in the Southeast.”
WHY STICK WITH
HUMAN RESOURCES?
“For the variety. Each day is different. I have set things that I must do but I never know what’s going to come up. The last thing was a leaky ceiling.”
WHAT CHALLENGES DOES HER JOB PRESENT?
“Getting everything done. I never have enough hours in the day.”
HOMETOWN
Jacksonville.
ANY COLLEGE?
Wilkison attended, but did not graduate from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
WHAT DOES SHE LIKE ABOUT WORKING DOWNTOWN?
“I really love downtown. I love the fact that sometimes, when I walk over to the Landing, someone is playing a musical instrument outside. If you want peace and quiet, all you have to do is go to the Riverwalk and feed the pigeons. The gazebo [on the Northbank between the Landing and the T-U Center] is a wonderful place to people watch. I love the atmosphere. And, if you need a ‘sermon,’ there’s somebody who can give you that, too.”
HER BACKGROUND?
Wilkison started with the company five years ago as an administrative assistant in the claims department and has been in the human resources department for three years. Prior to Life of the South, Wilkison worked in the industry for another insurance company and an independent adjustment company. For almost 20 years, she worked for the State. “The last thing I did [as a government employee] was with highway safety. [She supervised the Dunn Avenue driver’s license office.] I wanted to try the private sector.”
RESIDENCE
Wilkison lives on the Westside with her husband Donald. They have a son, Robert, who was recently discharged from the military. “My husband has muscle cars; I have horses. I’m a trail rider. There are some nice areas relatively close. I enjoy seeing deer and turkey in the wild. We keep the horses ourselves and I do the barn work.”
HOW MANY HORSES DOES SHE OWN?
“Four: one Arab quarter cross and three spotted Appaloosas.”
ANY OTHER INTERESTS?
“I do some needlework and occasionally try my hand at refinishing furniture.” She also enjoys reading and watching the Discovery Channel.
— by Monica Chamness