Business Development Manager, Alpha Associates
by Kensie Hamilton
Bobbie Hawkins is a true risk taker and throws herself whole-heartedly into anything she is involved with—whether it be her career, volunteering or everyday adventures. She even confessed to wanting to drive in a demolition derby.
She has found a career that not only makes her happy, but also allows her to take risks every day by reaching outside her comfort zone. Hawkins is now the business development manager for Alpha Associates, but finding a job that made her happy was not an easy task. As a teenager, Hawkins wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but with the encouragement of mentors, soon changed her direction to accounting. Upon graduation, she worked in several banking positions, including assistant branch manager at Bartlett Farmers Bank in Little Hocking, Ohio. It did not take long for her to realize that a change in geography and career were necessary to calm the restlessness that came with not being challenged.
After relocating to Morgantown, finding a job was the next step. Finding a job that met her criteria was not as easy as it seemed initially. Getting frustrated, she found a listing for a job in A&E and applied, thinking it was a position at an arts and entertainment company—not architecture and engineering. She began her career at Alpha as a secretary and was soon promoted to marketing coordinator in 2000.
“I love challenges,” says Hawkins. “I love that about my job, everyday a new challenge—everyday a different set of people. There is nothing boring about my job.” Since taking over the marketing coordinator position in 2000, Hawkins has developed a career that not only meets her needs to be challenged, but also sets Alpha apart from their competition. As one of the largest A&E firms in West Virginia, Alpha decided it was necessary to have a dedicated person to make connections with potential clients and retain existing clients, leading to the creation of the business development manager position.
There are many characteristics that have helped Hawkins in her search for success. One of her most important attributes is her understanding of individual contribution in a small company. “It bothers me when people say, ‘that is not my job.’ When you work for a small company—everything is your job.”
Hawkins has also been lucky enough to cross paths with some fantastic women who have helped her along her way. She has more mentors now than she did when she was developing her career and feels lucky to have the opportunity to interact with these women. One such woman is Barbara Parsons with Monongalia Health Systems. Hawkins states, “I want to be like her in 15 years. I don’t think she has any idea what type of impact she has. Her influence on those around her reaches far beyond the bounds of her career.”
Working with Parsons, Hawkins is also actively involved in Leadership Monongalia, “working to recruit new members from up and coming businesses and of course, the women in the area who find it difficult to network,” she says.
She is also an active member of her community—mixing her personal and professional worlds and extending Alpha out into the community has proven beneficial. “I am a 4-H Leader and All Star and provide mentoring for youth in Monongalia County. I devote no less than 15 hours per week to volunteer activities and recently it seems more like 40,” says Hawkins.
Hawkins has achieved her success through hard work and determination. She also strives to make a difference. “The way I live my life—both professional and personally is to make a difference,” says Hawkins. “Professionally, when we design a new school, I thoroughly enjoy the look on a child’s face when they see the building for the first time or when we design a bridge or roadway—the people in the community have a better life because of the structure.”
Hawkins is a member of Society for Marketers of Professional Services and the Leadership Monongalia Planning Committee. She is also a board member of the Ronald McDonald House Charities, a member of Monongalia County 4-H Leaders Associates, a master gardener and a volunteer for United Way.
Photography by Rick Lee
