James Wright
Office Assistant
Corporate Affairs Department
What are the top job elements you focus on the most (your primary responsibilities)?
My primary job responsibility is to keep the APTA mailroom and print shop running smoothly and providing excellent customer service. This includes a wide range of daily and other regular tasks.
Among other things, I receive, sort, and distribute mail for APTA employees; track incoming and outgoing mail as well as UPS and FedEx deliveries; maintain postage records and restock the postage meter; generate computerized address labels, and prepare materials for mailings. I also process incoming checks and provide other services to the Finance and Administration Department; assign purchase order numbers; order office supplies; and set up conference rooms for internal and external meetings, including computers and audiovisual equipment. This includes the monthly all-staff meetings where APTA staff share comments and information.
Do you have direct contact with APTA members? If so, please talk about recent times you’ve helped out a member.
I do not have direct contact with our members. However, one of my responsibilities is covering the reception desk as needed. In that capacity, I have come in contact with a few APTA members. I also route incoming calls from members to the correct person.
What initiatives, projects, or programs have you worked on at APTA that you have taken particular pride in completing?
I take pride in doing every project to the best of my ability; these jobs could include preparing meetings materials for mailings or delivery to meeting sites, sending packages, and making copies. My responsibilities in the mailroom help APTA’s meetings and conferences run smoothly and successfully.
I coordinate shipping for APTA meetings both nationwide and internationally. When preparing for an APTA meeting, I will pack up material and ship it, tracking deliveries to make sure the packages arrive in a timely fashion. I take care of all printing requests regarding documents for release at meetings.
I took over preparations for the 2013 Legislative Conference in Washington because the employee who made the original arrangements had a family emergency. I followed up with room assignments and setups, meal service, and other components of the meeting planning process.
How did you “land” at APTA? How long have you worked here?
I came to APTA five years ago when my wife came across the job opportunity. I thought it was a good fit for me and applied for the job. I previously worked at law firms and a food association with a total of 27 years of mailroom experience.
Could you tell us something about yourself that might surprise us?
People may not know that I am also a Baptist minister at a church in Landover, MD. I attended the Washington Baptist Seminary in Washington, DC, graduating in 2006 with a diploma in theology. Before I became a minister, I served as an ordained deacon.
I have been happily married to my wife, Lisa, for 20 years this year and we have 15-year-old twin sons, James III and Jordan.
I enjoy dressing well. My father was a good dresser. When I was younger, I used to like going out a lot, but at the seminary I was required to wear a suit each day. We were told that preachers must look their best at all times. I traveled a lot for a previous job, so I started collecting suits. I have probably 20 suits.
I love good food. I enjoy eating well and going to nice restaurants.
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