2020 Women in Print and Promo: Christy Besserman, NBS Systems Inc.

CHRISTY BESSERMAN
Operations Manager
NBS Systems Inc., Mt. Olive, Ill.

Christy Besserman has developed a reputation for going above and beyond the call of duty. Her love for her job is clear, and her conversation is full of anecdotes. But, she loves her team even more. Print was never part of her plan, though.

That nurturing disposition made health care a natural fit for Besserman, who at the age of 18, worked as a certified nursing assistant. Roughly 12 years later, she put her people skills to use in the retail sector after accepting an assistant manager position at Family Dollar. There, she met her husband.

Her husband knew the owner of a printing company in need of a design tech. Intrigued by the opportunity, Besserman switched fields and spent two years at the shop before it closed. A friend suggested she apply for a part-time customer service representative position at NBS Systems Inc., and she has been with the company ever since.

For Besserman, the job didn’t end when she was off the clock. She would go home and brainstorm ways to help NBS Systems Inc. grow and stay efficient.

“I would discuss [those ideas] with my boss, and as a team we would talk about how we could save the company money and our customers money on the different ideas,” Besserman said. “That’s when my boss and I became close. He knew I was there for the company and that I would go out of my way to help achieve our goals to better the company and to help him run NBS.”

Besserman later received a promotion to become operations manager. In this role, she is involved in all areas of the plant—from customer service and accounts payable/receivable to design tech, bindery and shipping.

What Brings Her Joy Professionally and Personally
I enjoy my job and knowing that we are making a big difference in other companies. I can honestly say that I do have the best employee crew to work with. It truly is all about teamwork, and we do appreciate all of our customers. And in my life, I have always loved to design—I have my own craft room and sit for hours making different things for family and friends.

Her Proudest Career Achievement
I worked my way up the ladder starting out as customer service to now being the operations manager. [I accomplished this] by working very hard every day to help build this business into a great company that our customers can trust.

On Working in a Traditionally Male-Dominated Industry
There are some men who are threatened by a female supervisor. I have had my share of those men. How I handle them is standing my ground.

Her Job Advice to Women
My advice to all women is to keep your head held high and reach for your goals.

Her Favorite Leader
My favorite leader is my husband. He was a regional manager for a multimillion-dollar company until he became disabled. He pushes me every day to be at my best and gives me great advice when I need it. He knows that I strive to make our company grow.

Her Upcoming Goals
Next year, I hope to have several new items designed for our customers to sell. My personal accomplishment is to keep living the best life possible. [I also plan to] spend time with my family and friends.

How She Maintains a Work/Life Balance
I still live my life the same and work the same. Our company works day by day to help all the other essential companies stay in business while this devastating pandemic is in place. We follow all rules to what our government wants us to do to try and prevent any of our employees from getting this horrible virus.

Read the complete Women in Print and Promo feature here.