April 6, 2010

Who's Who at OGSLP?

Name: Bev Brandon
Department: Executive
Title: Staff Assistant III
Tenure with OGSLP: 2 years

How do your daily duties directly impact OGSLP's customers?
My main duties involve supporting OGSLP’s Interim Executive Director, Rick Edington, as he works to provide leadership for our agency and support and assistance to our customers. I also provide back-up support to the directors, managers and any staff who might need it so they can continue to do their important work for students, schools and industry partners.

What advice would you give to someone in our industry who's new to working with student loans?
I was new to the student loan industry when I started working here two years ago, but I’ve always been a believer in education. It’s important to keep the big picture in mind and gain encouragement from the fact that no matter what your job title is, you’re playing a vital role in helping Oklahomans reach their higher education goals and making a difference in students’ lives.

What do you find most challenging about working with student loans?
Shortly before I started working at OGSLP, the student loan industry began to see some big changes looming on the horizon. So the challenge for me, as for everyone in the industry, is to stay positive and view changes as an opportunity to grow and learn. While change can be scary, if we remember that we’re a team and work as a team, we can meet whatever comes our way with confidence, knowing that we can do what has to be done and continue to help Oklahoma students reach those goals.

What are some of the unique services your department provides our customers?
The Interim Executive Director and Executive Management Team provide strategic leadership and oversight of our operational, fiduciary, regulatory and educational functions. They work hard to stay on top of what’s going on in the industry and pass that information along through a variety of mediums, including our monthly newsletter, Online News. They do a great job of communicating that spirit of diligence and teamwork to OGSLP staff, making this agency the go-to place for our customers to get the support, information, training and services they need.

What are your hobbies or interests?
My biggest interests are my two grandsons. I love spending time with them and watching them grow (and watching them give their mom a hard time!). I love to read good books and I also enjoy a wide variety of computer games.