Get to Know Us: Carole Seymour, Editorial Assistant

After 35 years of dedicated service, ASI’s beloved Editorial Assistant Carole Seymour, a.k.a. the “Office Mom,” is calling it a career. Take a walk down memory lane with Carole as she discusses everything from favorite promo product to wackiest moment. Also, we finally get to the bottom of the Woodstock rumor. Was Carole there in 1969? Read on to find out!

Q: What was ASI like 35 years ago? Tell us some of the things that were vastly different about the company and the industry when you started.
Carole Seymour: ASI was a small company, and I worked the night shift. There were two of us that worked till 12:30 a.m. and we used to set the building alarm when we left. When I started, ASI had just gotten their first office computers and there was one computer for each department. It’s weird to think about doing anything without a computer these days. Industry companies were much more fearful of competition then, and it was harder to get started in the industry. You had to really do a lot of “research” in actual hard-bound directories to find suppliers and products.

Q: What’s one of the wackiest things that’s happened during your time at ASI?
CS: When we came to work and all the hallways had been graffitied. Turned out to be part of the annual ASI holiday party, which has a different theme every year. That year, it was fashioned after a street fair, with food trucks and performers like jugglers and magicians. The graffitied walls came down after the party and ASI changed to a more open-space concept.

Q: What’s one of your favorite memories from working at ASI?
CS: Being introduced as the Office Mom.

Q: There’s a rumor going around that you were at Woodstock in 1969. Let’s put this rumor to rest once and for all: Is that true or false?
CS: False, I was in a wedding that weekend. It’s not a bad rumor to have people believe, though.

Q: Public service and charity are near and dear to your heart. You’ve organized and helped facilitate numerous fundraisers here at ASI. Why is public service so important to you?
CS: I was a single mom in the ’90s with five kids. I had a lot of help from generous people, so I decided I’d give back whenever I could.

Q: In 35 years, you’ve seen a lot of promo products! What’s your all-time favorite?
CS: I have a glass on my desk that McDonald’s gave away after Shrek 3 in 2007 that I still use.

Q: If you had to compare the Editorial Department to a TV show, which one would it be and why?
CS: That ’70s Show. At one time or another, each of those characters has worked in this department.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you can give your co-workers as you retire?
CS: The departments at ASI all support each other in ways you may not be aware of. Attend all the training sessions that are offered, so you can be knowledgeable about the impact your job has on others and discover which departments may impact what you do.

Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to the younger generation, what would it be?
CS: If you want to make a change or have an impact, work and donate locally in your own community, at work and within your own family. “Do small things with great love” Is the best advice I ever heard.

Q: Is there such a thing as too much wine?
CS: Only if you’re drinking it at work.

Q: What will you miss most about working at ASI?
CS: Not getting to see the changes and growth of my office family.