Staff Spotlight: An Interview with Betsy Aldrich

February 12, 2021 | by Anna Orendain

Categories: Spotlight

Every quarter TSAHC spotlights a staff member or partner to help our readers get to know our mission and industry a little better. This week, we are spotlighting TSAHC's Senior Accounting Manager, Betsy Aldrich. 

Originally from Lansing, Michigan, Betsy is a part of our Accounting team. In addition to handling accounts payable and financial recordkeeping, she oversees the grant awards that TSAHC receives as well as the financial activity of our Affordable Communities of Texas program.

Below is her interview.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in finance. After graduation, I worked for the Michigan State University Credit Union until I moved to Urbana, Ohio to work for an agency that provided foster and residential care for children.

Though I enjoyed working in finance, I left my job in Ohio and moved back to Lansing to pursue my dream of coaching gymnastics full-time. I worked at Twistars Gymnastics for two years before I decided that I couldn't meet my long-term financial goals with a coach's income, and I decided to return to the accounting world. Finally, I moved to Texas in 2008 to be closer to the man who is now my husband, and I was hired to work here at TSAHC. I have now worked here for almost 13 years!

Due to COVID-19, we’ve been working from home for almost a year. What do you enjoy most about remote work? What do you miss most about working in the office?

I love working from home. I mostly enjoy not having to wake up as early to get ready and fight through traffic. I also enjoy wearing sweatpants and no shoes every day. Though I do miss the daily interactions with co-workers that come with in-person work!

Which accomplishments are you most proud of?

There are two professional accomplishments I'm particularly proud of. First, one of the girls I used to coach went on to be on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team and won team Gold. Second, I was able to juggle working full-time at TSAHC while I took the necessary classes and passed the four exams needed to get my CPA.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I enjoy going to the gym and watching tv. I also love to travel and have been to 36 countries and Antarctica. I hope to add even more to that list once we are allowed to travel again!

What’s your favorite book, movie, and/or TV show?

I would have to say my favorite TV show is Grey’s Anatomy since I've watched the whole series a few times. Currently though, I like watching anything that is fun and uplifting like the Masked Singer or Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist.

What’s your favorite quote or piece of advice?

One piece of advice that I got from my trainer (who found it in the book The Four Agreements) is: “Don’t take anything personally.” It is very easy in life to get upset about things that you don’t actually need to be upset about. I find it helpful to remind myself of this often.

If you knew you could accomplish one thing in particular and be guaranteed not to fail, what would you do?

I would love to be a sports photographer!

What’s a random fact about yourself that many people might not know?

I am the Assistant Director and Treasurer for the summer family church camp in Michigan that I have gone to every summer since I was born. My parents and grandparents also attended the camp, and many of the people who attend are my relatives.

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