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Cartmell: great person doing great things
By Cindy
Foster
The
screensaver on Judy Cartmells computer is a quote by Vincent
Van Gogh and a constant reminder to her of how to get through
a busy day or a busy life: Great things are done
by a series of small things brought together.
Cartmell
serves as associate controller for the UNM Health Sciences Center
and also heads up the finance implementation of Project LINK,
a University-wide project to revamp and integrate University
business and administrative processes to make them more efficient
and customer focused.
When asked
how to juggle so many balls, she points to her screen saver
and adds one more piece: If you are going to tackle something
big, then dont do it alone. There is strength in a group.
People
are at the core of any project, she says. They are
going to be both the source of your biggest difficulties and
the foundation for your successes.
Shes
been following her own advice since she first joined UNM 23
years ago in the payroll department. Over the years, shes
gained a reputation for being able to manage people and organize
projects.
She was
temporarily reassigned in the fall of 2002 to become project
manager for the finance implementation of Project LINK. The
multi-faceted project will be implemented over the next five
to seven years beginning with the finance component that will
include the introduction of web-based purchasing, accounts payable,
research accounting and general ledger systems.
Its
a big job with long hours. But that is nothing new to Cartmell.
Ive always had a stressful job, starting with the
payroll position. she said. Whenever you deal with
finances and people its stressful.
Id
never have been able to do any of this without my husband. Hes
always been very supportive of everything Ive done at
the University. He cooks dinner, we share the laundry and he
doesnt get upset when I get home late. It makes it easier
to let go of some things when you know the important ones are
covered.
Family
is the center of her life when not at UNM. The Cartmells have
two sons and theyve always been involved in their activities.
She also enjoys the outdoors, reading, going to movies and being
on the back of her husbands motorcycle on weekends as
the two travel the area.
Cartmell
relies on support from friends in all aspects of her life. She
credits exercise with keeping me sane. Knowing shes
meeting a neighbor at the stop sign at the end of her block
for a daily run, makes it easier to get up at 5 a.m.
She even
earned a masters degree one class at a time after
work, with two growing boys at home by relying on friends.
Several
of her coworkers used to get together for coffee and they started
taking classes together, she said. Knowing they were going
to be there made it easier, on nights when I was really tired,
to show up and get the work done.
Being able
to guide a group at work also means being able to knit together
a great safety net for stressful days, she said.