Congratulations to Marci Leigh Butterfield!

Congrats to Marci Leigh Butterfield, an assistant professor at the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business received a national honor for teaching.

Butterfield received the American Woman's Society of Certified Public Accountants Educator of the Year!

The David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah has an excellent article to commemorate Butterfield's achievement. Here's the link for the article: http://www.business.utah.edu/display.php?pageId=4199.

Marci Leigh Butterfield

Background

I came back to school at age 33 with five children and had my sixth child during my junior year in the accounting program. I did my undergraduate degree and then did my MBA all in five years time and then went on to work for Arthur Andersen which was a wonderful experience but very challenging with my family situation. About a year and a half later, Doctor David Plumlee, who was then the Accounting Department Chair called and asked if I was interested in teaching at the University and it has turned out to be one the highlights of my life! I feel so fortunate to be here.

What did you do before your current job?

As I mentioned above, I worked for Arthur Andersen as an auditor but I also was involved in Real Estate as an agent and I judged private and collegiate gymnastics for about 20 years and got to travel all over the country! What I am still involved with is rearing a family as I am the mother of six children. They are growing older now but I think that is a job that never ends. I hope I can always have an impact for good in their lives.

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

When I was younger, I did want to be an English Professor so it is ironic that I now am teaching accounting here at the University of Utah! I love doing webct discussions because I get to help students with writing so it is kind of like coming full circle from my goals as a high school student. My father was a teacher and I know he had an influence on those students that he taught. Mine was not a conscious decision to become a teacher. I was lucky enough to be asked by Professor Plumlee, but it has been such a fulfilling position to see my students succeed that I couldn’t ask for anything better! I have a special place in my heart for those teachers who took extra effort to make my experience in my education memorable so I hope I can make a difference in the lives of my students as well.

I get the opportunity to be with interesting and diverse people every day. How amazing is that! There is nothing like the feeling of being on a college campus. There is excitement and hope. I get to help those that struggle. People who go to college are generally here to learn. You usually are not forced to be here, you are here because you want to be here so it is a fun atmosphere.

I am also the faculty advisor for Beta Alpha Psi which is the accounting organization at the University of Utah. This gives me the opportunity to work with students in recruiting events, service opportunities, and weekly meetings where we learn more about the accounting profession. I get the pleasure of overseeing a group of about ten officers and getting to know about 100 individuals each semester. These students are fabulous and provide a lot of service to many different organizations and individuals throughout our community. It is a lot of work but so much fun to be involved with these energetic and driven students.

What advice can you give our reader’s about the importance of higher education?

Going back and getting my undergraduate degree in accounting and then my Master’s degree was one of the most challenging things I have ever accomplished in my life but it was so worth it. It has given me opportunities that I never would have had without it. I always tell my students that they are doing the right thing by being in college. They won’t regret it! It lets others know you have the tenacity to finish a program you begin. You have skills that you can implement into a career. You learn to work with others and build relationships that will last a lifetime!

What has been your greatest accomplishment?

To be honest, my biggest accomplishment is that I am happily married and have six beautiful children. There aren’t too many people that can say that in today’s society and I have been married for a long, long time!

What do you hope 2009 brings for you?

I worry about the job market for my students so I hope we will see a turn around in the economy soon.

What are some of your hobbies or projects you are working on in your spare time?

I am currently remodeling a lot of rooms in my home so painting and trying to design the different rooms has been taking up most of my free time at the moment. I also love to watch my youngest daughter perform in her dance company. I enjoy scrapbooking and just got introduced to Facebook so I am catching up with friends that I haven’t seen or heard from for a long time!

Who is one of your heroes?

One of my heroes would have to be my mom. She lost my dad at a pretty young age and finished raising several young children on her own. She sang with the Tabernacle Choir for eight years and is on the go 24/7. She is a very smart woman and tries to keep up with all of her children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren.

I am also impressed with the stories I learn about my students. Some of them come from very difficult circumstances and yet rise above it all to do great and wonderful accomplishments!

What book are you currently reading?

I constantly read books that relate to my faith but I also read books that my daughter is reading so that I can keep up with her interests. The series we are reading right now is called “Chasing Yesterday” which deals with a young teenager who has lost her memory and is seeking to learn about her past. We have both finished the first two books and can’t wait to read the last book!

Eunice G. Jones

Background

My first involvement in the community was in 1997 when I started to volunteer at the Philippine American Association of Utah. I became the first woman president of the organization in 1999. This experience opened my eyes to not just the community of Pilipino people, but to all of the Asian community. As I became more involved with the Asian community, I was appointed an advisory council member at the Asian Affairs during Governor Leavitt’s administration and was re-appointed by Governor Huntsman.

Other positions and accomplishments have included:

• Volunteer at the Asian Association of Utah since 1997; planned the annual Asian Festival
• Chair for the Asian Festival held on June 13, 2009
• Executive Board of the Asian Association of Utah
• Founding member and president of the Asian Chamber of Commerce, UACC from 2005-2007
• Board of Directors of Utah Association of Realtors
• Women's Council of Realtors President, 2006
• OCA Board of Directors
• Chair for Utah Alliance of Pilipino American Community
• Chair of the Utah Asian Charitable Foundation
• Utah Women's Alliance Building for Community
• Member of the Grievance Committee at the Salt Lake Board of Realtors, 2005-2007
• Certified Residential Specialist, currently serving Professional Standards at the Salt Board of Realtors

What is your current job?

I am a real estate broker.

What did you do before you entered the real estate industry?

I worked in hotel sales for almost fifteen years before I became a real estate broker. I worked for Hyatt Los Angeles as a catering sales manager and then as a sales manager at the Las Vegas Hilton until 1995. My family and I moved to Utah in 1995 and I worked for Red Lion Hotel until I decided to change my career to become a real estate agent.

Why did you decide to go into real estate?

I started to get bored with my job in the hotel industry but I needed a place to apply my sales skills and professionalism; real estate seemed like a perfect fit. In 1996 I started in the business and after one year I was recognized as the Rookie of the Year. My business and reputation as a real estate agent grew and soon I had a substantial database of clients and friends within the real estate industry.

What do you enjoy the most about your current job?

I am a broker owner. I enjoy helping my real estate agents, showing them the secrets of success in real estate, sales techniques and coaching them in good ethics. I enjoy protecting my client’s best interest and helping clients buy and sell properties.

What advice can you give our readers concerning the real estate industry and the current market in Utah?

The real estate industry will always be here. Home ownership is a fulfillment of the American dream. It has been proven for more than 120 years. There will always be people who will want to buy a home and there will always be homeowners who will want to sell. Owning a home is not just an investment and tax shelter; it is a place where you can feel secure, raise your children, entertain friends and family, feel comforted, and enjoy life.

Investment Opportunity: Real estate can be a good investment. For instance a real estate investor could own rental properties, apartments, office buildings, or strip malls. These investments can return a positive monthly cash flow.

Utah is experiencing a depressed real estate market because of the global economic and financial crisis. Some areas in Utah are experiencing 10-15% depreciation in home values. There are several investment opportunities in the market right now such as short sales and foreclosures, which continue to rise. It is also a great time to buy, with low interest rates, lots of inventory to choose from and reduced home prices.

What strengths do you see women bringing to your industry?

Women are known to be compassionate, caring, patient and hardworking. There are many women in the real estate industry who are doing a tremendous amount of business. They are successful women and busy professionals who divide their time between family and work. In addition to caring for their families, theses women stay actively involved

in giving back to their communities.

What is one of the challenges with your job?

Challenges are part of life. It makes life exciting and keeps us focused and strong. I have challenges daily. Once I overcome these challenges, I feel confident about myself.

Why is being involved in the community so important to you? What advice do you have about being involved?

For me, it is important to be involved because all of us have something to give, whether it is our time, talent or experience. Big or small contributions make a big difference to the lives of the people we help and to the community we live in. By being involved I think people are able to stay connected, reach out to others, understand our community and bring these issues and concerns to our city governments.

What are some of your greatest accomplishments?

Some of my greatest career accomplishments include: Salt Lake Board of Realtors Hall of Fame, Re/Max International Hall of Fame and Broker of the Year. I consider one of my greatest accomplishments in my community as one of the founding members of Asian Chamber of Commerce.

Some of my greatest personal accomplishments include: being married, being the mother of two children, being one of eleven children to come to America, being able to provide for my family in the Philippines, being able to help other family members settle in America and being able to really enjoy life!

What are some of your hobbies?

I enjoy dancing, exercising (I go to the gym daily), reading, cooking and playing golf.

Who is one of your heroes?

My hero is my oldest sister Leah who sent me to college. We were very poor in the Philippines but Leah worked hard and made it possible for me to attend college.

What brought you to Utah from the Philippines?

I came to America in 1986 with a suitcase, $50.00 in my pocket and a dream of a better life. I lived in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and now Salt City Utah because my husband had a job transfer to Utah.

What book are you currently reading?

The book I am reading is The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama. I just finished his other book, The Dreams of My Father.

For additional information or questions, please visit www.eunicejones.com or email her at eunicejones@remax.net.