CTM Staff Accountant Donna Williamson has managed to keep the important things in her life constant, including her 40-year marriage to her husband John, and her longstanding career in accounting. But when it comes to moving to a new community or redecorating her house, Donna has never shied away from mixing things up.
Donna was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and lived there until she was 13 years old. She is the oldest of three children. When her stepdad took a job in Chicago, the family packed up their things and moved to a north side community in the city. Chicago’s cold weather didn’t bother Donna. As a matter of fact, one of her favorite things to do was to go ice skating with her friends in the park.
While in high school, Donna met John, a boy from the south side of Chicago. Donna invited John to her prom, and 40 years later, they’re still going strong! It was also during high school that Donna realized she was good at math.
Over the next few years, Donna worked in several accounts payable positions. She also welcomed her daughter Lisa. When Lisa turned 2 ½, Donna went back to work full time. By this time, the Williamson family left the city and moved to Highland Park, IL, a northern suburb of Chicago. At first Donna worked in an accounts payable position for Steve Foley Cadillac. However, there was a bookkeeper position that opened up at a tire store, and Donna decided to take the position even though it was located in the city.
Donna liked the bookkeeper work, but it was only after taking a position at a public accounting firm that she realized she preferred the variety of responsibilities and the opportunity to communicate directly with clients. It was then, Donna decided to go back to school, and she received her Bachelors of General Studies from Roosevelt University in Arlington Heights.
After raising their daughter in Palatine, Donna and her husband moved to Buffalo Grove, then to Lake in the Hills, which is where she lives today. In 2013, Donna applied for and accepted an accountant position at CTM’s former office located in McHenry, IL. She really enjoys the different functions of her accounting role at CTM, and appreciates the flexibility of working part-time. Although, during tax season (January – April), she works full time.
In her spare time, Donna likes to decorate her house, which has been redecorated several times. Just ask her about the “furniture store” in her basement. Her favorite holiday is Christmas, and she loves dressing up the house with lots of festive trimmings and ornaments. She even has a collection of ornaments from the places where she has traveled. Although she has traveled all over the country, she frequently vacations in Hilton Head, SC, and loves to visit Savannah, Georgia, which is a short drive from Hilton Head. She recently renewed her 40th wedding vows in Hilton Head.
