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Following a more than 40-year career in finance and accounting, including 13 years at WithersRavenel, Senior Project Accountant Debbie Lennon has recently retired.
Debbie’s love of math and problem solving were the launching pad of her career, which led her to several jobs before working for 26 years in finance at Verizon. When she started at WithersRavenel in 2010, it was her first experience at a smaller firm. She encountered some challenges at the beginning but considers it a blessing that she came upon this job and got to work with the wonderful team in accounting.
“The group is incredible, and we always had each other’s back,” Debbie said. “When one of us was successful, we all were successful. We shared our knowledge with each other, and I appreciated my family there in accounting.” Debbie shared the names of many people in the department who meant a lot to her, including Ashlie Cade, Kathy Allgood, and Dawn McFay, whom she worked with for more than 10 years, and team members Erin Carey, Chris Jardine and Deirdre Blackmon, whom she worked with for 5-7 years.
Additionally, Debbie enjoyed working with all the various project managers at WithersRavenel and their “different personalities.” She recalls many who were employees when she started and are still at WithersRavenel today, including Jim Canfield, Robbie Oldham, Jason Bertoncino, John Ihnatolya, Andy Johnson, and Loftee Smith. “I really enjoyed working with those guys,” she said. “Sometimes we would butt heads, but the work would all come together.”
Debbie plans to take retirement “one day at a time, with whatever the Lord has in store.” With her husband of 42 years, Cleo, the Durham couple has 12 godchildren. Debbie comes from a large family of 13 siblings, with most of the family in Whiteville down near the coast. She enjoys getting together with her brothers and sisters and having a good time. Other interests include working out and supporting her church, Peace Missionary Baptist in Durham.
“The fellowship is phenomenal,” she said. “I have so many brothers and sisters in Christ there, and we have supported each other through the years.”
Finally, Debbie wants to offer a heartfelt thanks to the employees of WithersRavenel, especially Tony Withers and Sam Ravenel because “without them there would be no us.” She also singled out Jim Canfield and Chan Bryant for making WithersRavenel one of the best places to work and “although I’m not a Wolfpack fan, Jim Canfield accepted me anyway.”
WithersRavenel wishes Debbie well in her retirement and all the future holds!