We are excited to welcome Mattaya (Taya) Leatherman, a Member Service Representative, to the PPEC team! She brings experience in customer service and banking to PPEC. 
Here's a fun Q&A with Taya to help our members get to know the newest member of our PPEC family.
Tell us a bit about your family and where you're from.
"I come from a family of five.
My mom and dad are high school sweethearts and have been together for 29 years. I have 2 younger siblings, Julia and Riley. I have two children: Roman is five and in preschool, and Rylen is three and is in junior preschool. We enjoy being outside, playing with animals, working in the garden, or being in the water in the summer. In the winter, we go bowling and spend a lot of time with my parents, helping with projects around the house. My boys and I currently live in Paulding. I've always been around the area, mostly in Paulding and Oakwood."
Why did you want to work at PPEC? 
"I wanted to work at PPEC because I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and create new relationships with not only my colleagues but the people in the community."
Tell us about your work history. 
"At my former job, I was a bank teller at the State Bank here in Paulding. I was there for just over a year and a half. Before then, I worked as an STNA for about nine years. I went to Paulding up until junior year, then to Vantage Career Center for Health Technology. That's where my STNA journey started."
What will you be doing here at PPEC?
"My position here is Member Service Representative. My goals are to learn as much as I can about PPEC and progress within the company."
What are you looking forward to?
"I'm looking forward to seeing how PPEC grows within the next few years, the relationships I'll grow while being here, and getting to be out in the community."
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of work?
"I enjoy gardening, cooking and trying new food, traveling and finding new places to vacation, and spending time with my friends and family."
A fun fact about you?
"I'm going to the Kentucky Derby for the first time ever this year!"
A favorite quote or motto that inspires you or you like to live by?
"If you focus on what you left behind, you'll never be able to see what lies ahead."
"Life is too short to be serious all the time. So, if you can't laugh at yourself, ask me. I'll laugh at you. 😁"
Anything else you would like to add?
"I'm very fortunate to have the opportunity to join your team. Everyone has been very welcoming, and best of all, everyone seems to have a good sense of humor, which makes the workplace so much more fun. 🙂"