I am Ruthie McDaniel. I hold a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in management with an emphasis on Finance. I have enjoyed serving my country for over 33 ½ years in the federal government: eight (8) years as an active-duty United States Marine, with the responsibilities of training Marines, Fiscal, Disbursing, and Career Development: three (3) years with the Department of Defense as a Career Resource Development & Relocation Specialist: and twenty-two (22+) years as a Veteran serving Veterans with the Department of Veteran Affairs. My professional career included preparing active-duty members to transition to civilian life; Workforce Development & Human Resources; Liaise with Community Partners for medical care for Veterans; Operations Manager of Mental Health with the responsibility for both Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and Joint Commission Accreditations for Mental Health Services; Quality, Compliance, and Performance Improvement. Other responsibilities included oversight of facility Health & Safety, Fiscal, Human Resources, Emergency Management, Administrative Strategic Planning, and Logistics. I experience the wonderful privilege of serving as a CARF Surveyor for approximately ten (10) years. Consulting with organizations who serve persons living with mental challenges allows me the privilege of sharing my experience and expertise by assisting in understanding the value of high-quality care; policy implementation; program evaluation; how organizational culture can impact service; the value of partnerships and community collaborations; and improving services and outcomes. I have served as an educator for middle and high school, as well as on a collegiate level teaching Bachelors and Master students. When I am not working, you can find me reading a good mystery novel, typically written by my favorite author, James Patterson; participating in Church activities; traveling with my family; challenging my ‘little people’ to basketball or board games; and most recently – being thankful for the joy of my heart – my 2-year-old grandson. I have achieved numerous awards throughout my personal and professional life, but none more rewarding than implementing my definition of success, which is ‘helping other people achieve worthwhile goals that positively impact their life and the lives of others’. Helping others become successful adds dessert to dinner – calorie free.