Employee Spotlight: Shirley Poling

Job Title: Secondary Mortgage Market Processor
Location: Ripley Branch
Tenure: 12 years
Briefly describe your involvement in agriculture. I grew up on a small farm where my dad raised a few pigs and a few head of cattle, but liked his chickens the most. My favorites were my horses and the family garden. However, my grandparents who lived through the Great Depression had a large farm where hay was cut, baled and stored for winter for the small herd of cattle that remained after several were butchered for meat to be either canned or frozen for later consumption or sold. The pigs were well fed, which in turn fed us well when their time came. I loved riding my horses on their 100+ acre farm. The cornfields, pumpkin patches, green bean stringing parties on the front porch and the canning parties all hold wonderful memories.
What is the best piece of advice you received growing up? The best piece of advice I received growing up was to always keep your mind and body engaged in life and never stop learning.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Germany, California and finally, West Virginia.
What is your favorite personal mantra or motto? My favorite personal motto is to never stop trying.
What is your favorite app and why? Spider Solitaire is my favorite app because I challenge myself playing with either a 3 or 4 card deck. It is mentally challenging.
What is your favorite season? Fall is my favorite season because I love the vibrant colors in the foliage. Mother Nature at work.
What is your dream vacation destination? My dream vacation is a trip to Ireland, Scotland and Germany to visit my ancestorial roots.
What is your favorite place you've ever visited? Clearwater Beach, Florida is my favorite place I’ve been. I love the soft white sand and the crystal-clear water.
What was your first job? I was a housing manager for a low-income housing complex. 
What is your favorite aspect of your job? My favorite part of my job is the many, many people that I've met at FCV and having the opportunity to play some small part in helping to make our customers’ dreams come true in owning their own home.
What would you sing at Karaoke night? I would sing “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper. 
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I wish I could be in two places at once because I could be at two of my grandchildren's activities at the same time.