Employee Spotlight: Jody Fiorini

Job Title: Auditor
Location: Wytheville Branch
Tenure: 11 years

Briefly describe your involvement in 4-H. I learned public speaking in 4-H and I took away things from those competitions that I still think about today.
Briefly describe your involvement in agriculture. When I was young, my grandparents had chickens, turkeys, and usually a hog or two. I loved helping with the baby animals, foraging for mustard greens around the property and just spending time outside caring for the land and animals with folks that loved their home and what it was providing.
Are you involved in any clubs or organizations? I am the former Board Chair for a local organization called Open Door Community. They have lots of programs that speak to food insecurity and housing insecurity, both of which are very needed. They run a pay-what-you-can cafe, they have a Hope Packs program in our schools that sends bags of food home with over 800 K-12 kids in our communities weekly, a weekly free grocery store and affordable housing with programs to teach folks how to manage their finances so they can work toward a better future. The heart they share with the community is amazing.
Tell us about your family. My son Roman, 14, and I love to travel, experience music, local culture and food together in new places. We have decided this is the summer of concerts. So far this year we have seen David Byrne and Dave Matthews Band. We have Paul Simon and The Wallflowers on the horizon.

Tell us about your pets. My son Roman didn't want a dog, but I was lost without one and missed that kind of presence. So I talked him into a mini Aussiedoodle for my birthday a few years ago. He and Mia are now best friends. She's been the best thing to bring more life into our home. She's smart, funny and total velcro dog. She's my first 'little' dog and she is a complete joy.

What is your favorite song or artist? My very favorite artist is Tom Petty. If I were to sit down and write a soundtrack to my life, he would by far hold more places on it than anyone. There is something soulful about his songwriting that has just always spoken to me. One line that I always take with me is "Most things I worry about never happen anyway". Powerful stuff.
What is your favorite movie, or quote from a movie? In The Family Stone when the girlfriend that no one likes says "What's so great about you guys?" and the mother answers “Oh, nothing! It’s just that we’re all that we’ve got.” It's my favorite because it's the best definition of family ever.
What is your favorite season? I love fall the best. Especially when it's still a little warm outside but not too cold, not too hot. The colors, the crisp, fresh air, the leaves crunching underfoot. It's beautiful. I will forever be a pants/short sleeve or sweatshirt/shorts girl.

Tell us about your hobbies. I love to cook. Sharing food with people that I care about is my true love language. There is no bigger blessing than a table filled with food and all the seats full. I also love to sew and make quilts, blankets and pillowcases; all the things that are for cuddling and snuggling in our nest. I'm convinced there will never be enough blankets!
What is your favorite place you ever visited? My favorite place I've visited is Rome. It's beautiful and the food, atmosphere and history are amazing. The people were so kind to me. They kept telling me that I'm Italian in my heart and I still think it's one of the greatest compliments an 'outsider' could ever receive.
How do you balance career and your family? I have been known to be a "workaholic". When I had my son and some things in our life shifted, I realized that the reason I work is ultimately the same as everyone else: To provide, to put a roof over our heads and food on the table. Once you realize that everyone you work with are doing the same things for the same reasons, you realize that your worth and time is as valuable as anyone else's. That perspective is something I take with me when I feel like I should excel, have hard conversations, or take a break and a breath. We're all just doing the best we can and looking for the joy in every day.
How has Farm Credit helped you with your career/professional development? When I joined FCV, I was really just looking for a job for the next few years. Once I got here, I quickly decided that it's a great place to be and that I had more opportunities than I realized; that was a great surprise. I have been blessed to work with people that have encouraged me to excel and have offered opportunities along the way. I have found an unexpected career here that I am extremely proud of and grateful for.
What are your hopes for the ag industry? My hopes for the ag industry is that family farmers find a way to preserve their land for ag purposes and continue the traditions of the family-owned rural farm. I can't imagine how tough it must be to modernize but also remain true to the traditions of the past while setting goals for a prosperous future. I'm glad FCV can be a resource for those things.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I think my superpower would be to see the future and have the opportunity to change it in the present. Time here is so limited and the lessons are important, but I just want to be sure I'm doing it right.
If you could choose a theme song for yourself, what would it be & why? "And She Was" by The Talking Heads. I hope that I will always be with the world while it's moving and not miss anything or take this precious life for granted.