For Belinda Vines to accomplish everything she needs to do in a single day, she has to have discipline.

Warm greetings, friendly words and dedication to her job as the human resources representative for the School of Engineering ensured Belinda Vines’ selection as January’s Employee of the Month.

Co-workers says she handles each test with warm greetings, friendly words and dedication, characteristics that make her a true asset to UAB and a worthy selection as January’s Employee of the Month.

“In the five years I’ve had a professional relationship with Belinda, she has proven to be resourceful, courteous and efficient in the completion of her duties,” says Jason Kirby, Ph.D., assistant professor of engineering. “She routinely takes on tasks outside of her official responsibilities to ensure faculty, staff and students overcome the numerous problems that routinely occur in academia.

“She truly is dedicated to UAB and making those around her welcome.”
In addition to her human resource responsibilities, Vines is in charge of processing all of the new-hire documents for the school. She also documents funding-source changes, processes retirements and manages tenure information for faculty.

“I can truly say I enjoy what I do and the people I get to work with on a daily basis,” Vines says. “One of the best things about this job is there are so many people from different backgrounds with whom I have the opportunity to work. We have a large international contingent here in Engineering, and I learn a lot about places I’ll never visit. I love hearing about the different cultures and their lives, where they’ve come from. I love working with such a diverse group of people. They’re unique.”

Clay Custred, program director for materials science and engineering, says Vines was one of his first contacts when he began his employment at UAB. The help she provided him then — and continues to provide him now — always is appreciated.

“She really helped me navigate through the first few months, and she has remained a resource that I am fortunate to have,” Custred says. “She has a great ability to express her ideas, her UAB knowledge and considerable experience in a manner that is easy to listen to. Belinda has a way of drawing her audience in and providing them with knowledge and experience without being arrogant.”

“Some would say longevity with a company or university gives you a set perspective,” he says. “Belinda has always impressed me in expressing insight with the understanding that things change and the best employees are the ones who change with them.”

It’s that unfailing optimism that Hassan Moore, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering, often sees in Vines. Whether he has interacted with Vines for work or in casual conversation, he says she is a shining light to others.

“Being in such close proximity, a person’s mannerism typically is exuded — especially since everyone has both good and bad days,” Moore says. “But I have yet to see Belinda show anything less than a smile coupled with warm greetings and friendly words. She is always very positive and cheerful, which of course is appreciated whenever I may have a bad day myself.”

Vines says her family — especially 16-month-old grandson Aiden — and her horses enable her to maintain a joyful outlook.

“My husband Curtis and I love to ride our horses,” she says. “Cash is a black Tennessee Walker, and Star is our Palomino quarter horse. We’re planning on breeding her this year for my grandson, so they can grow up together. I really hope to get him involved with horses. His mom and dad work on the weekends, and I get to keep him every other weekend. From the time he could sit up, I took him out there to be with those horses. I’m planning on turning him into a cowboy.”

She’s also planning to add many more years to the 17 she has been working at UAB, including the past five in the School of Engineering.

“I think I’ll remain friends with many of these folks forever,” she says. “There are so many people here at UAB that I’ve seen their children get married and their grandchildren born. It’s like they’re a part of my family. I feel the same about the folks here.”

To nominate someone for Employee of the Month, visit www.uab.edu/eotm or e-mail letters of recommendation to Christina Peoples at cwp@uab.edu.