Title: Office Manager
Company: Claiborne Economic Partnership
Location: Tazewell, TN
Education: Graduate, East Tennessee Regional Leadership
Career History: Office Manager, Claiborne Economic Partnership (formerly Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce, 2018-Present);
Farm Manager, Family Farm (1996-2019);
Bookkeeper
Robin Marie Duncan, Office Manager at Claiborne Economic Partnership, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of administration.
The strong work ethic and leadership skills that would serve as the foundation for Ms. Duncan’s accomplished career as an office manager at Claiborne Economic Partnership were fostered in her youth—throughout which she worked on her family’s farm. She and her family members farmed tobacco, beef cattle, and hay; her father ultimately took a tobacco buyout from the government, leaving just the beef cattle and hay. As she grew up, her focus remained on the farm, although she took some computer classes at a local college and later graduated from East Tennessee Regional Leadership. She worked as a bookkeeper and then, from 1996 to 2019, she served as manager of the family farm, inheriting the role from her father and husband, both of whom struggled with health problems at the time. Upon reflection of her career so far, she has been most proud of her ability to operate and manage a successful cattle farm with diligence and compassion; she enjoyed meeting with and helping out local farmers and community members any chance she could.
One day, while at the grocery store, Ms. Duncan met a woman she went to school with, Ms. Clark, whom she asked for any part-time job opportunities. Instead, Ms. Clark offered her a full-time position at Claiborne Economic Partnership, formerly known as the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce, where she has excelled in her role since 2018. Seeing the opportunity as “divine providence” and attributing her success to the many skills her father taught her, she spends her days interacting with and helping people and planning events, as well as taking care of financial affairs, including billing and invoicing. In addition, she is active as a member of the Claiborne County Agricultural Committee, a sitting board member of the Claiborne County Equalization Board, and a member of the Leadership Claiborne Board. Looking toward the future, she plans to still be serving the community and helping it grow. Ms. Duncan would also like to get more involved with different groups and committees in order to be able to vote and effectively steer the county.