Nancy Trautman, 2008 Woman of the Year

Behind the workings of BWN, you will find this years "Woman of the Year" Nancy Trautman. With her attention to details and keeping track of all the women in the network group, she has became a great asset. Nancy will continue to be part of BWN now and in the future.

Nancy began working in her teens as a dish washer in her home town of Syracuse, Kansas. She later was a waitress and also worked as a bookkeeper for the Syracuse Sales Commission. After marrying, moving to Wyoming, and beginning a family, Nancy was hired as a part time clerk in the US Postal Service. She was promoted to regular clerk and eventually became a Postmaster. Nancy worked for the Postal Service for 30 years, retiring in 2003. Nancy spent 23 years in Wyoming and 7 years in Colorado with the Postal Service. During her time as Postmaster, she was named Postmaster of the Year for Wyoming in 1989 and for Colorado in 1999. Nancy also received the "Spirit" award from Colorado's National League of Postmasters in 1999. Nancy continues to be active in the Retired League Postmasters organization. She was elected a National vice-president in 2007. As an officer she travels to several state conventions promoting the Retired League Postmasters and giving retirement seminars.

Nancy moved to Pueblo West in July 2003. Deciding that retirement did not mean being idle, Nancy started selling clothing in 2004 for Weekenders, USA. Nancy continued to sell clothing until May 2008. Now Nancy has began a new chapter in her life. She is giving retirement seminars as a consultant. Her business is Retirement Unlimited. In her words, "It is never too soon to plan for retirement".

 

Carla Barela, 2007 Woman of the Year

Carla's career began as a Member of the Sisters of Charity Religious Order.

She has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music Education, and was a teacher in her first career. In 1978, she left teaching and became a real estate broker for Cortez Real Estate where she was consistently a top sales producer.

In 1977 she was awarded a Class A Contractor's license, and was the first woman in Pueblo County to hold a Class A license. In 1991 she became President of Cortez Construction Company, where she is still President and Chief Executive Officer.

Carla serves on the Judicial Performance Commission for the 10th Judicial District, on the Advisory Board of the Hassan School of Business at Colorado State University-Pueblo, and as an active member of the Latino Chamber of Commerce.

She has superior skills in organization, leadership, finance, marketing, and public relations.
President/CEO Cortez Construction

Carla is a highly respected member of the Pueblo Community, and an outstanding example of a woman in business who has excelled in a field traditionally dominated by men.

We are VERY PROUD to recognize this long standing member and supporter of Business Women's Network as our Business Women's Network "Woman of the Year"!

Please CONGRATULATE Carla on a job well done!

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CHERYL DIONESE CHOSEN 2006 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Cheryl K. Dionese has been selected as this year's Woman of the Year by Business Women's Network.

Cheryl's advice to everyone is to recognize that each of us is a unique person, and that we can build on our strengths. If we are doing something we like, then our lives have purpose and we will enjoy both work and life to its fullest.

All working women balance home and work, and are responsible for "keeping the home fires burning"... it takes women with strong spirit and determination.

Cheryl has served on the Pueblo Business Women's Board for five years and has served the Board as secretary for four years. She has been the Tenant Service Coordinator for the Business Technology Center for fourteen years and has owned and operated Secretarial Extras for five years; and for the last three years has Co-owned Gift Baskets Plus with her daughter, Lori Trejo.

The members of the Pueblo Business Women's Network are VERY PROUD of Cheryl and we THANK her profusely for all the hard work and loyalty she given to our organization!!!

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PAT SAULTERS CHOSEN 2005 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Here is Pat's story:

"After being a stay at home mom for 18 years raising 5 children, I went to work part-time at Home Appraisal Services, a father/son business, I loved it and they REALLY ENCOURAGED me to get my appraisal license and trained me in the appraisal field. Getting a divorce after 25 years of marriage was also a big influence on my motivation to work hard and be successful and to strive to be a good role model for my 4 daughters that they can do anything they want and be anyone they want to be.

My greatest personal challenge in starting or building my business has been to overcome shyness in going out and soliciting business. When I first started I hated going to different lending institutions, introducing myself and trying to get some of their business. I had some training by a very good friend and partner who taught me that is wasn't really about going and asking for their business but building a relationship with them.
I have always been grateful for those who have taught me along the way. I never hesitate to call and ask for help. One of my strongest support systems early on in my career was the support of my children, they never complained the hours I worked at the office or at home.

I am a cancer survivor and feel that that has given me an edge for the spiritness to live each moment and be the best, enjoy what I do in life, laugh often, have fun, work hard, and try to be as well rounded in many different arenas as possible. I try to stay centered with my faith, continually reprioritizing to keep focused on what is truly important.

For 5-6 years I was involved with the Divorce Recovery Workshop as a facilitator one year and coordinator several years after that. After going through a divorce myself after a 25 year marriage, that was a good outlet for me as a participant and I was so fulfilled giving back to the community and to those in need of feeling hoplessness. It was so remarkable to see their faces change over the course of a 6 week session.

My personal definition of success is raising successful, independent, educated children. My most important role is of being a mother first and foremost and being a good role model. Having raised children for 10 years as a single mom, I set and reached goals, have grown through a lot of personal challenges and have been happy and proud through most of the journey.

I am proud of the great adults I helped to raise, of the challenges and obstacles I have had to overcome and strive to overcome everyday of my life and for staying true to my values and my belief system, keeping the passion and laughter alive in my life, and having wonderful friends - to me that is all the success that I need.

Currently I am taking some on line classes and working with a life coach to look into the possibility of becoming a life coach myself. I feel I do have a gift for listening to people and being objective with seeing the individual trees in the forest when sometime when an individual is in the mist of that they can't see it for themselves.

If as I pursue more of the Life Coaching classes and decide to go in that direction I would like to make that full transition within the next 2-3 years. I feel I could be an awesome life coach and be so mobile with that job. Having retreats at various locations and having my laptop to do my work as a life coach wherever my journey leads me.

I feel it is a GREAT HONOR to be nominated by my peers with other phenomenal women. I cannot imagine the joy, the pride and the overwhelming feeling of actually being named Woman of the Year. I know I do have a great deal of talent and wisdom to share with others, to be an example in this community and to my children as a great mom and a successful business woman."

We at the Business Women's Network certainly AGREE!

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PREVIOUS HONOREES:

Ernestine Thomas 2004
Rita Friberg 2003
Virginia Hanning 2002
Priscilla Lucero 2001
Carol Ann Bronko 2000
Karen Gladney 1999
Blenda B. Brocco 1998
MaryAnn Thompson 1996
Doris Kester 1995
Kay Singleton 1994
Linda Roof 1993
Micci Smith 1992
Antoinette Torres-Janke 1991
Kathy Farley 1990
Sharon Borton 1989
Dianne Porter 1988