Tammy and some of her FBLA students pitch in on a community service project to clean up a local park.
Not only does Tammy Grisham, material analyst, support product inventory and sales for our Distribution business, she also helps high school students build business skills and acumen as an advisor for Future Business Leaders of America. The FBLA is a national organization with chapters at the middle school, high school and college level to help students prepare for careers in business through academic competitions, leadership development and educational programs.
“I’ve been an advisor for the Pierce High School FBLA for the past 14 years,” Tammy says. “I supervise and support the students by making sure they have resources for community projects and necessary information for competitions. I first got involved when my daughter was active in FBLA, and I’ve kept going ever since.”
Her dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed, and she was recently recognized as a 2021 Volunteer of the Year.
“As long as I’ve known Tammy, she’s been volunteering in the community,” says nominator Juli Ohira, division inventory manager. “She inspires others to volunteer, not only by sharing her own commitment but also by sharing ideas for ways others can contribute in their own communities. She does the same for her FBLA students, inspiring them to make blankets for the homeless, make masks during the pandemic, put together hygiene kits, provide community support after the Redding fires, and so many other events I can’t name them all! She models what it means to be a part of a community and help others in need, and she helps her students grow into community-minded business leaders.”
As part of Tammy’s Volunteer of the Year recognition, the Pierce High School FBLA received a $5,000 grant to cover student conference and overall club costs.
Students in Tammy’s Future Business Leaders of America group pose with the new blankets they donated to a local homeless shelter (Tammy’s work supporting the students was a runner-up our 2020 Martin Luther King Day of Service Challenge!)
MEET TAMMY
Tell us a bit about your day job
I’ve worked at Weyerhaeuser for 25 years. My official title is material analyst — I’m a product sales representative support, which means I support our buyers with their purchases of rebar, lumber, cedar, OSB and plywood to stock our Distribution centers. I’m based in California and support colleagues in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and Utah.
I also write and manage purchase orders from beginning to end and create item codes as needed. Basically, I’m there to support my team with any inventory needs.
What did you think when you found out about the award?
I was completely surprised! I had no clue it was coming or that anyone had nominated me, but I really appreciate it.
And when I told my students, they couldn’t believe it either. We put on fundraisers to pay for them to attend conferences, and the money will allow any student to participate. I never want to have to tell a student they can’t go.
What made you get involved with FBLA?
I started 14 years ago when my daughter was in FBLA. She’s notorious for signing me up for things and telling me after the fact! She figured since I already went to all the conferences, I needed to be a volunteer.
Once she graduated high school, my son decided to join. By the time he graduated I was too attached to the students. They told me I couldn’t leave and needed to be there when they graduated, so I kept staying. I love watching the students achieve their goals or sign up for a challenging event at a conference like public speaking, impromptu speaking or business presentations. Even if they don’t place, they’ve still accomplished something.
Students will often contact me after graduating to ask for a recommendation or just to thank me for helping them. That’s the best thing I could ask for.
What are the community challenges you see that you're trying to address with this work?
I live in an area that’s big in agriculture, so Future Farmers of America is huge here, but FBLA is a bit overlooked. I like being able to show the students that there are other possibilities and options. For some of them, traveling to conferences is the first time they’ve been outside their hometown or home state. I love seeing their reactions and excitement. At regional conferences they can attend lectures, compete against other students or take written tests. There are over 70 events, and the top two students in each speaking event and the top five in written tests move onto the state-level competition.
A photo of Tammy’s FBLA students who won awards during at Northern Sections Competition a few years ago.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to give back but doesn't know how/where?
Everybody is looking for volunteers! You could reach out to your local schools, senior centers, county offices, local boards or county boards.
It brings a lot of joy to see how you’re helping others. I don’t expect anything in return, but it’s amazing to see these high school students soak it all in and improve over the years.
What’s next in your volunteer plans for the year ahead?
In addition to my work with FBLA, a friend and I are trying to set up a program to help foster kids. When children are taken out of their homes, they’re given a black garbage bag to quickly grab things and leave. To me that’s demeaning to the children. We’re trying to put together duffle bags and that have something pre-packed for the kids. The idea is, they can use these bags to grab their stuff in the future.
