Angie Barnett believes in doing things the right way.
The president and chief executive officer of the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland, Barnett uses her background in sociology every day. Taking an ethical approach to business, she relishes her chance to lead the region?s nonprofit that specializes in certifying companies and protecting consumers against rip-offs and fly-by-night operations.
Whether dealing with consumers or businesses, Barnett emphasizes that the key is quality customer service.
“What I really try to stress is doing the right things for the right reasons,” Barnett said. “Whether you are dealing with a person or a business, you have to do right by them.”
Becoming the head of the Maryland BBB in March of 2006, Barnett came to an organization without a clear direction for the future. One of her first moves for the group was to hold a two-day retreat where all the BBB employees worked together to create a living document that helped define the group?s future goals and heading. Every quarter, Barnett and her employees return to this document and reassess what they are doing and for what reasons.
But Barnett didn?t become a leader overnight.
Growing up in Arkansas, she had a passion for working with people and nonprofit groups. Barnett combined those in the 1970s, when she attended Arkansas State University, earning a master?s degree in sociology. Following a brief teaching stint at a Baptist college, she bounced around with several nonprofits before taking a position with the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
Honing her leadership skills, Barnett joined the BBB last year, bringing her experience and insatiable enthusiasm with her.
“She has a deeply founded believe in fairness, ethics and trust,” said Melanie Rutkauskas, senior vice president of operations at the BBB for more than nine years. “My experience and aggressiveness and her energy and ideas, and you bring those together and you get a vibrant compilation.”
Sometimes even Barnett can run low on energy. That?s when she knows she?s ready for relaxation.
“I always loved the beach,” Barnett said. “The sun and the little drinks with the umbrellas in them.”
ALL BOUT ANGIE BARNETT
» Education/credentials: Bachelor?s in social work, master?s in sociology and a sociology specialist certification from Arkansas State University
» Best job perk: Working with a variety of people
» Daily e-mails received: 75
» Daily voice mails received: 10
» Essential Web sites: bbbmd.org, google.com and ripoff.com
» Career objective: I reached it being a CEO of a major nonprofit group
» Hometown: Jonesboro, Ark.
» Birth date: Oct. 4, 1955
» Original aspiration: To be a dancer
» Sports/hobbies: Reading, cooking, going to the theater and some quiet time.
