Employee of the Month: Rayna Harkness, Office Manager
How long have you been with EA? What roles have you had? 
25 years. I've worked in STRTP (AKA Sabl Arbor Group Home and The Honor House), as Office Manager...and several other tasks while in the office.
What originally made you want to work with EA?
My mother-in-law had a group home for teenage girls. While still in high school before I married, I had a friend that lived in the home. She was happy and really liked the home. Years later, I married into the family and wanted to help. We had horseback riding, home cooked meals, Sunday dinners, brandings, bottle calves, baby peacocks, ducklings, geese and plenty of outdoor activities—and the girls were always involved. It was very family-oriented, and I know a lot of those girls really liked being part of a family. There are still a few that I get to talk to on occasion today. I really love seeing them. They are now moms raising their own kids and I was able to be a part of their story.
Describe what your best day on the job looks like:
My best day on the job is being able to answer questions for staff and assist wherever I am needed. I love the adoptions of our foster kids into forever homes. Such an incredible gift to see the smiles on the families faces when that gavel hits the stand! They are officially home for good.
What do you wish people knew about working in your field?
Being in this field is difficult at times and can be tasking on your emotions. Switching gears on a whim when we are getting an emergency placement, needing to assist with a transport or supervising a visit. We get to have a lot of fun in this job too. We get to plan parties for our kids and families. Plan and attend recruiting events and enjoy visiting with the public about our kids. I also get to be with a great group of coworkers that assist me in this position.
How do you practice self care?
I love to garden and plant things, ride horses, spend time with my husband of 31 years, and Sunday dinners with my kids, their spouses and my two granddaughters. They are so stinking cute, and I can't get enough of them...I enjoy all the time I get to spend with them...they make me laugh so much!
What's a hidden talent you have, or something about yourself that would surprise most people?
I don't think I have a hidden talent. My husband, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and I have a business called Matandy Land and Cattle Inc. We have had it for 27 years and it started with only 2 cows. We now have 7 semis: 5 of them are log trucks, two of them we haul cattle with. We have almost 300 head of cattle and hope to get up to 500 eventually. As a family we all work together to keep the business growing. I do feel so privileged and blessed to be able to do this with family.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I appreciate ALL the EA Admin team for the many years of service they have provided to me and the many other employees. Their decisions over the years are what have made EA a great place to work at and be a part of. They have truly made this agency a family!