Charity has a special place in Anne Wilkinson’s heart.

Wilkinson’s day job is being the Payroll and Cost Tracking Manager at Rayco Industrial, Inc. Wilkinson is also a graphite artist and sells artwork in Gallery 905.

Wilkinson, 28, has also taken the time to serve as President of the Selma Charity League and a board member of Arts Revive.  She prides herself on giving back to the community.

“Giving back to the community is something that is very near to my heart,” Wilkinson said. “From being a part of the Charity League for the past five years I was able to see and help out all the wonderful charities and organizations that Selma/Dallas County has to offer. Each organization does something different to help out the community and being a part of helping and seeing their reaction to your help is very heartwarming.

“When I was President of the Charity League, we organized a fundraiser to raise money to give back directly to Selma,” Wilkinson continued. “Seeing the tangible items we bought the Selma Police Department for them to set up a new K-9 Unit and meeting the officer and his dog made all the hard work worth it. The feeling you get from helping out in the community, whether it be a fundraiser or giving your time, is truly satisfying.”

The Arts Revive Board has a special place in Wilkinson’s heart.

“My art and being on the Arts Revive board is also something I am passionate about and I believe art is another way you can give back. Seeing a commissioned client or a guest at one of the Arts Revive events reaction and smile to something so simple as art is very satisfying as well. The Lord brings happiness to people in many different ways and I am blessed to be able to bring that happiness to others through giving back to the community with my time with the charity league and through my art.

At Rayco, Wilkinson has a lot of duties.  The company has 150 employees and that number increases up to 275 during seasonal outages.

“I am responsible for creating payroll for all employees within the company,” Wilkinson said. “I am also responsible for tracking all costs related to the company and creating weekly budget vs actual reports for every specific job within the company.”

Wilkinson, who graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration-Accountancy seven years ago, said Rayco has a strong working atmosphere.

“I like the work environment the best about my job,” Wilkinson said. “Everyone at Rayco truly is like one big family and looks out for each other at work and outside of work. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work alongside.”

For Wilkinson, the role of an accountant has its many rewards.

“Being an Accountant, I of course enjoy numbers, but helping people understand money and how to budget it wisely is the most satisfying to me,” Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson said family, especially her parents Clint and Jill Wilkinson, has made a huge impact on her life.

“Growing up my family had the biggest influence on me, each and every member of my big family always encouraged me to be the best person I could be,” Wilkinson said. “They always made it known they were there for me no matter what the circumstance. They give the upmost support you could ask for and to say we are a close family is probably an understatement.

 

“Career wise, my dad was the biggest influence,” Wilkinson added. “From a young age, dad and I always talked numbers. He always taught me to spend wisely and to be generous to others not only with your money, but also with your time. On the other hand, my mom influenced me the most creatively. Whether doing a craft or project, planning a party, gardening, or whatever it may be, she always encouraged me to think outside the box and to use those talents to give back to others.”