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Evelyn Tredway: Passing along experience
Evelyn Tredway, Gleaner Life’s Member Services Manager, truly enjoys working with numbers:
• 25 is for her anniversary next March at Gleaner Life’s Home Office, where much of her time has involved overseeing members’ annuities.
• 5 is how many children she and her husband Matt have raised.
• 6 is their number of grandchildren.
Yet Evelyn also is thinking about another number — 2. In about two years, Evelyn plans to retire from a job she has loved for a quarter of a century. She wants to make a good handoff to others on her team, a process that comes naturally to her.
“I still learn something new every day,” said Evelyn, who last year added life insurance duties to her annuities oversight. “‘There’re always learning opportunities all around here, and we try to do our best for the members.’ I say that to the team whenever the opportunity comes up. One of my roles as I transition into retirement, probably about two years from now, is that I would like to step back from the day-to-day a little more and focus on really training more.”
Strategic succession helps the Society ensure services continue to meet members’ needs. Gleaner has developed many talented leaders throughout its 128-year history. Evelyn is part of that tradition by sharing her knowledge.
She came to Gleaner in 1999 with a degree in finance yet took an opening in Annuity Services. “I loved working with the annuities and the people,” she said, “so that was where I stayed.” The work included sending members automatic payments such as for required minimum distributions (RMDs), overseeing tax projects, and annual tax forms. “Numbers work is right up my alley,” she added.
In 2006 Evelyn became coordinator of the Annuities Department. In 2017 she was promoted to Annuities Supervisor, and last year became Member Services Manager to help oversee both annuities and life insurance services. Over the years, she achieved annuity and life insurance FLMI, ACS, AAPA and ASRI service certifications. One of her biggest joys is when a co-worker is promoted. For years Evelyn worked in the Operations Department alongside Judy Lawrence, now Assistant Vice President of IT Development and Processing. “I learned so much listening to Judy explain things,” Evelyn said. Another is Amy Hawken, who last year was named Assistant Vice President of Member Services. “I was thrilled,” Evelyn said. “It was like a ‘proud mom moment.’”
Evelyn anticipates further family adventures — including camping — after she transitions to retirement. Yet she will remain close to the Home Office, both in spirit and also in proximity. “In the winter, you can see my house from here,” Evelyn pointed out.
“I’ve truly loved working here, from the people here to talking with the members and agents,” Evelyn added. “I have really liked coming to work.”
