Top 40 Under 40: Heather Floyd

Heather Floyd, 31, is Assistant Vice President of Development for the Mississippi Home Corporation in Jackson.

Heather Floyd had already excelled at a career in education when she shifted gears. At the age of 30, Floyd joined Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) and embarked on a career working

"The successful transition took many hours of study to learn the terms, products and the seemingly endless requirements for the federal grant I was hired to implement," said Floyd. "Shyness not being one of my personal traits, I was quick to ask questions and make connections. However, all my efforts and organization would have fallen flat if not for the supportive work environment at (MHC). Management and staff communicate well and work together to achieve corporate goals, I have been lucky to have a supervisor who believes in enabling employees to grow in the company by encouraging new ideas, offering tactful constructive criticism and leading our division with a positive attitude."

After earning an English degree from Mississippi College in 1993, Floyd, a native of Magee, earned a master's degree in English literature from the University of Mississippi in 1995. After teaching English at Marshall Academy, then Kosciusko Junior High and finally Northwest Rankin High, Floyd joined MHC in 1999 to coordinate the implementation of a statewide program to provide pre-purchase homebuyer education to more than 25 nonprofit housing development organizations in Mississippi. As one of numerous initiatives to ensure a more efficient operation, Floyd established a computerized system to track homebuyer education services in 2000.

"While Heather had some exposure to the mortgage business before assuming this position, the terminology, organizations, federal grant requirements and many other details were new to her," said Benjamin Mokry, Ph.D., senior vice president of research and development for MHC. "As her direct supervisor, I can attest that while this was unfamiliar territory to her, she learned very quickly, created high quality work products, and provided excellent customer service."

Floyd has also worked behind the scenes on various community projects, including Mississippi Heritage Trust, Christmas in April, Ronald McDonald House, Community Stewpot, Make A Difference Day, Voice of Calvary Ministries and Tour le Fleur.

"(Heather) doesn't engage in civic activities to get recognition or to get ahead on the job, but because participating in good causes seems as natural to her as breathing," said Mokry. "When one project is finished, she begins looking for something else to get involved in."

Floyd escapes from the daily grind by hopping on a mountain bike or curling up with a novel. "It is difficult to worry about the day's troubles when you are caught up in a good book or dodging trees on a bike," said Floyd.