Salem, OR — Garten Services, Inc., a local 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation, announced that Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Pamela Best has retired effective January 31, 2023. As part of Garten’s succession plan, Best has been training new CFO Ashley Wilson over the past year to ensure a smooth transition of duties.
“Pamela is an extraordinary example of one of the people in our field who works diligently behind the scenes to make our service visions come to life,” said Timothy Rocak, Chief Executive Officer of Garten Services. “We don’t often recognize how our service innovations and accomplishments depend upon the practical, systematic creativity of someone like Pamela Best to successfully implement our dreams for improved services to people with disabilities. As CEO, I often get credit for our service transformation and program innovations, but Pamela turned these visions into spreadsheets and plans.”
“Pam did an excellent job keeping the board apprised of fiscal matters,” said Allan Pollock, Board President of Garten Services. “Our auditors consistently shared with the board that Pam did impeccable work with our financial documents. The board will miss Pam and her professionalism and commitment to Garten’s mission.”
Best joined Garten Services in 1994 as a temp Accounts Receivables Clerk. She was hired on as a regular employee, advancing to Accounting Manager before becoming Garten’s Chief Financial Officer in 2003. She was integral to Garten’s growth and helped develop a strategy that successfully transitioned Garten’s business model to emphasize community employment while retaining diverse employment opportunities in un-subsidized Garten social enterprises. Her work has positively impacted the lives of thousands of community members with and without disabilities in her 28 years with Garten Services.
During her retirement party, Best discussed why she stayed with Garten over the years, “It’s because Garten cared about me.” She closed with, “I truly believe that if you take care of a company, the company will take care of you.”
About Garten Services
Founded in 1970, Garten provides job training, employment, and day activity services to approximately 500 people with disabilities throughout the Willamette Valley.