THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 30, 1996 TAG: 9606290074
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 20 Questions
SOURCE: Susie Stoughton
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 80 lines
Julie Vann Horton leads a charmed life.
When the former full-time mom returned to the working world, the ``perfect job'' almost fell into her lap. A friend told her of an opening for the Suffolk/Isle of Wight United Way fund-raising director.
She had taught marketing education and fashion but didn't want to return to the classroom after a nearly 10-year absence. Yet, she wanted to be near her children.
Within hours after she submitted a resume, United Way officials were interviewing her. They wanted a Suffolk resident who knew the community.
Horton, who moved here when she was 9, fit the bill. But first, she did some interviewing.
``I told them, `Convince me why the United Way is important,' '' said Horton, 33.
That was easy once they told her of the many agencies supported by the United Way, she said.
But first, she needed someone to look after her children. Her husband, Jimmy, Smithfield Foods project engineer, travels frequently.
``I just couldn't neglect my children,'' she said.
Another friend recommended the ``perfect nanny,'' Frances Tadlock.
``It just worked out,'' Horton said.
In March when she started, she was ``three months behind'' the other United Way directors, she said.
But the job isn't so daunting thanks to her assistant, Mary Farmer - ``the brain behind the works,'' and experienced cabinet leaders.
She knows it will take a year to get her feet on the ground. ``You just jump in head first,'' she said.
What brought brought you here? Moved here with my parents, who had brought land to build a house in the Driver area.
Fondest childhood memory: Camping with my family and five other families at Lake Gaston.
Marital status/children: Married to Jimmy Horton and have three children: Mallory, 9; Jay, 7; and Taylor Anne, 6.
Pets: Two cats - Sam and Sleepy - and one dog, Rhett
First job/worst job: Sales clerk at Murphy's Mart in Churchland. Each job I have had taught me something if not only to stick it out and patience.
If you had a choice, what other job would you choose? Full-time Mom.
What's your favorite hangout? Spending the evening with family friends.
Favorite night out on the town: Lynnhaven Fish House for dinner and a walk on the beach with my husband.
Favorite food/drink: Beef stroganoff and Coke.
Favorite movies/TV show: ``Against All Odds'' and ``Father of the Bride II'', ER
Book you wish everyone would read: Bible. It has the answers to all life's difficult questions. If we just would take the time and search through it to see what it says!
Ideal vacation: Go to a dude ranch in Arizona for a week of horseback riding and enjoying the great outdoors.
I can't resist: Chocolate in any form.
Few people know that I: Enjoy being alone.
Most embarrassing moment: I have said things before I thought it out and my mouth has gotten me into some embarrassing situations!
If you won the lottery, what would you do/buy? I would pay my children's tuition full until graduation from college and build my parents a house at Lake Gaston for all of their family and friends to enjoy at the same time. (It would have to be a big lottery!)
What is the best advice you've been given and by whom? To prioritize things and make sure to look at the big picture before I make a decision/Parents and my husband's parents.
What's the best thing about yourself? Friendly and enjoy being with people.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would you be and why? No one. I was put here as myself and I better stay here and get done what I need to do.
Something you wish to say but haven't: We, as parents, need to put our children first. We often think and do what we want as adults but forget the impact our decisions have on children's lives. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Julie Vann Horton found the ``perfect job'' and the ``perfect
nanny.''
KEYWORDS: PROFILE by CNB