(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Advertising Consultant Leigh Ann Delaney.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Natchez Jan. 30, 1971.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to South Natchez Adams High School, Co-Lin Community College and Mississippi College.
Q: Where all have you lived?
A: I’ve lived in Natchez, Meadville, Jackson, Baton Rouge and now Hattiesburg.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: My role at The Columbian-Progress is as an advertising consultant to facilitate sales to the local community and to help companies build their business.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I was working for a newspaper in Concordia Parish, La., and I saw this job and decided I wanted a change. I’ve worked in sales for 25 years because I like to talk to people.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I like being able to help people and figure out a way to help someone maximize their business potential by building and creating an ad that draws attention to customers and gets people inside their doors.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked as a babysitter as a teenager, but my first real paycheck was as a lifeguard.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My entire family. My mother, Martha, is a really strong person. My dad, Rayburn, was a really hard worker. You could say all of my family are workaholics. My oldest brother David — I’m the youngest of five — is the only other person in my family who went to college. He encouraged me to go to college and push my goals to make me a stronger individual.
Q: If you could relive one day from your life, what day would you choose?
A: Christmas day in 1982. That was the Christmas before my father died and my grandma was still living. I’d like to spend time with them again.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have two Shih Tzus, Jia and Yoshi.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: My mom’s chicken and dumplings and a piece of caramel banana pie from Mammy’s Cupboard in Natchez.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Everywhere. I love to travel. I love seeing new things, seeing new people and absorbing different cultures. I can’t say there’s any one place. I’d love the opportunity to go anywhere.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I read a lot, quilt, attempt to garden, cook and entertain friends and family, play with my dogs, love music and watch TV every now and then. I would rather go and do something than sit and watch TV.
Q: What do you enjoy about working in Columbia and Marion County?
A: Everybody seems so very friendly here, and the people here seem like family. I have not met anyone in Columbia so far that was not extremely friendly and very welcoming.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: My granny, Ruby Pearl England. She was very flashy and very fancy. She died when I was 17, but I would love to sit and talk with her. She was as interesting as her name.
Q: Would you rather read a good book or watch a good movie and why?
A: A book because you have to engage your mind for a book. You have to appreciate the way an author describes a character or a scene. You have to use your imagination with that. With a movie or a TV show it’s only what the director has envisioned. Books leave a lot open to interpretation, and it makes it a lot more interesting.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on you?
A: When I was 12 years old my dad died. It taught me to love and appreciate the people that I see and express my feelings to them when I have those feelings and not wait because I learned at a very early age that tomorrow is not promised and every day is a gift.
Q: What would be the No. 1 thing on your Bucket List?
A: I want to go zip lining in Costa Rica. A couple of my friends have been, and it just looks amazing.
Q: If you could describe your morals in three words, what would they be?
A: Loyal, genuine and real.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: When someone remembers me, I want them to think of happy times. I would like for them to think of me as a Christian. I want to have a positive influence on someone’s life. I’d like to make their life happier and more joyful than it was before they met me.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Leigh Ann Delaney joined The Columbian-Progress team this week as an advertising consultant. “Everybody seems so very friendly here, and the people here seem like family. I have not met anyone in Columbia so far that was not extremely friendly and very welcoming,” she said.
