Meet your 2008 Instructor of the Year: Susan Lujan, CCE.(member PROFILE)

The world was at a crossroads as the 1980s drew to a close. In 1989, the Berlin Wall collapsed. The Chinese military cracked down on democratic protestors in Tiananmen Square, resulting in worldwide sanctions against China. "Solidarity" claimed victory in Poland and the Soviet Union backed its way out of Afghanistan. Scientists also declared 1989 as the warmest year on record, marking the first public acknowledgement of the evidence of global warming.

Closer to home in the U.S. in 1989, George Bush, Sr. took the reins as President of the United States; the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Alaska's Prince William Sound, creating the worst oil spill in U.S. history; Intel introduced the 486 series microprocessor, revolutionizing computers and an economic meltdown forced the government to provide a mind-boggling $150 billion bailout to salvage hundreds of failed savings and loans. In Utah, a young mother of two with a low-paying job struggled with the harsh reality that she would likely travel headlong toward dead ends her whole life. The future seemed grim, but 1989 was year to remember--a year her world, as well as the world at-large, began a transformation.

"The bank I was working for was sold and the specialty position I held was transferred to another state," remembered Susan Lujan, CCE, corporate credit director, Kenworth Sales Co., Inc. "I was the victim of bank mergers and acquisitions. More than that, I was my own victim. I was losing a low-skill, low-pay job and would have to start over somewhere else. I began a new search that I was fairly certain would lead me to the same destination."

Lujan had only completed three-quarters of an associate's degree from a local community college and the prospects available staring back at her from the want ads weren't inspiring. She eventually answered an ad for a temporary position in collections that an office mate had passed on to her. Her only hope was to land the job just long enough to find something else a little more desirable.

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"I could be a collector because I could think on my feet," said Lujan. "But I knew I would be in the dark recesses of the building with a green lamp shade providing my only light. I was not looking forward to the opportunity, but I needed to do something." Ultimately, Lujan was awarded the job based on a coin flip. It was that stroke of luck that completely changed her life.

First, her new employer, the Dixon Paper Company, would pay for her to take the three courses necessary to earn her credit management certificate. It was an enormous step up, and a gentle push in the back to continue her college education. Second, Dixon Paper was actively involved in NACM trade groups and Lujan was introduced to the association and its membership. She ran with the opportunity that Dixon handed to her, and eventually received scholarships for continuing her education from her NACM affiliate.