Celebrating the Women of Connected Nation: Gina Lindsey

The longtime executive assistant says a willingness ‘to learn new things’ is key

Editor’s note: In honor of Women’s History Month, we are profiling the women at Connected Nation. From leadership roles to internship positions, these women are using their skills and experiences at every level of the organization to fulfill our mission to expand broadband access, adoption, and use to all people.  

Bowling Green, Ky. (March 08, 2019) - Gina Lindsey has a piece of advice for anyone looking to not only succeed, but to excel in his or her career.

“Degrees are expensive, and sometimes certifications are just as important. Hands-on, real-world experiences are invaluable,” Lindsey said. “Seek out a company that will pay you for going to school part time. By doing this, you will: 1) decide if you enjoy the field, 2) conclude if you are willing to invest a lot of money and time into doing a job the rest of your life, and 3) gain the experience that most employers look for when hiring for specific positions.”

But she says perhaps the most important thing to remember is to “never quit learning!” Lindsey has the experience to back up what she’s saying.

At age 44, she went back to college and earned an associate degree in healthcare information systems, which included instruction in medical coding, transcription, release of information, HIPPA and medical records.

“I completed an internship at an area hospital and stayed on for several months in the HIM (Health Information Management) Department, and then moved on to medical transcription positions for several years, which I loved,” Lindsey said. “However, I was unable to find a more lucrative position in medical coding, so I decided to make a change again and returned to secretarial work.”

She now works at Connected Nation as the executive assistant to Chairman & CEO Tom Ferree. She keeps things running smoothly for not only leadership, but the nonprofit as a whole.

“So much of what makes Connected Nation effective has less to do with technology and more about how we engage in matters of tech and digital empowerment,” said Ferree. “Our work naturally scales from the boardrooms of today’s tech innovators to governors’ offices to single mothers and seniors adopting technology for the first time. It’s a cultural thing here, and Gina is a big part of how that standard of service and care is met. In this regard, she is a force multiplier for Connected Nation.”

Lindsey will celebrate her 10-year anniversary with CN on April 13, and she has a keen understanding of the nonprofit’s mission to “improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand the access, adoption, and use of high-speed internet and its related technologies to all people.”

“Technology has definitely been a catalyst in my life over the past 40-plus years — from working at a law firm to taking college courses while raising twins,” she said. “Technology has even changed the secretarial field. So much of the hands-on work is now done individually that you have to be willing to learn new things, be flexible, open to change, and willing to put in the hours to get the job done.”

Good advice for us all.

Related Links:
Celebrating Women’s History Month with a Tech Twist: Hedy Lamarr – Actress and Inventor

Meet more of the Women of Connected Nation: 

Bernie Bogle, Chief Financial Officer

Maddie Garnett, Human Resources and Special Projects Coordinator

Heather Gate, Director of Digital Inclusion

Ashley Hitt, Director, GIS Services