by Karen Brune Mathis
Managing Editor
Chances are, you’ve heard, read or seen Candace Moody.
Moody is a frequent contributor in broadcast, print and other media outlets about what could be the hottest topic of the times: Jobs.
WorkSource is the regional work force development organization that connects job seekers with opportunities. Moody’s job is vice president of corporate communications.
That includes media, community, corporate and public relations; the website, www.worksourcefl.com; and the marketing strategy.
WorkSource is one of 24 regional work force organizations in the state and is funded primarily by federal money. It’s governed by a private sector-driven board representing Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties.
Last year, 145,000 people registered with the agency for work.
Her job is an interesting one for a woman who earned a double major in 19th century French literature and 18th century Spanish literature.
“I thought I was going to work in the foreign service,” said Moody, who’s fluent in Spanish, French, Italian and English.
She doesn’t use the languages as much as she could, but they come in handy. “I can order wine and food like nobody’s business,” she said.
Moody grew up in La Crosse, Wis., where her father ran a small manufacturing company that her brother now owns.
Her mom and dad moved to Jacksonville in 1999, five years after she did.
Moody, a “citizen of the world,” came to town in 1994 when her husband, Thom, was transferred to Jacksonville with the Navy.
Shortly after they arrived, her husband deployed. She went to work.
“You start out and get any job you can,” said Moody. Her jobs included insurance, a military case worker with the American Red Cross and a career counselor before WorkSource hired her in 1997 to create a business services division.
Saturday will mark 14 years with WorkSource. “I’ve never been in one job this long, one place this long or one house this long,” she said. Her office is at 215 N. Market St. Downtown.
Thom Moody has retired from the Navy and is a neuromuscular massage therapist who works with professional and amateur athletes.
The two met in college. He saw her first and declared his intentions before even meeting her.
“He sat with a friend in the student union and said, ‘See that girl? I’m going to marry her,’” she said.
They were soon engaged and married their sophomore year.
They celebrate their 33rd anniversary in May.
356-2466