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ABOUT KC HUMPHRIES
My professional journey began in Savannah, GA, at the Savannah College of Art and Design. There, I pursued my interest in art history and architecture graduating with a BFA in Historic Preservation and earning the Honor of Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation. For eight years, I used my knowledge and experience to facilitate main street management and architectural rehabilitation in Savannah, as well as manage exhibit design projects for the Smithsonian Institute and the National Museum of the U.S. Marine Corps.
In 2001, I began a new adventure with my husband - as a USMC spouse. Without regret or complaint, I put my career on pause to support my husband in his 18 year military career while simultaneously raising two talented children and founding Gecko Roamin' to brand my various interests and talents. While traveling the world, I have pursued my passions for painting, photography, jewelry design, Japanese calligraphy and brush painting, and writing. I've also used my extensive travels to acquire several pieces of original art and network with the artists to facilitate sales and acquisitions for friends and professionals.
Our last duty station took us to Japan where we lived for almost three years. Ironically, this post came at a time when my children were entering a more self sufficient age but my resident status did not permit me to work off base and military spouses are curiously discriminated against for available positions on base due to our short time in country. But, I am not one to sit idle and there were many volunteer opportunities. So, I made myself available to the Family Readiness Officer for my husband’s unit and helped mentor other spouses in their transition to the station. In doing so, I discovered a need to bring awareness to what is called the NEO Plan. NEO stands for Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation. This is the plan that is implemented in the event of a natural disaster or military operation requiring the immediate evacuation of all dependents, civilians, and non-essential military personnel from a foreign territory. I highlight this program because it demonstrates that I can pick up a topic for which I know nothing about or have any formal training and not only become an expert of my own volition, but can ultimately create and entire training program to accommodate 7000+ people of varying demographics. At the end of our time in Japan, I was awarded a commendation by the Commanding Officer of the station, positions were created within the military structure to address this program and it is still being implemented long after my departure.
In my free time, I fell in with likeminded women who were eager to make the most of our time in Japan. We took every opportunity to explore the country and take in the culture. The unofficial leader of this group, a professional photographer, turned this group into a photography club. This helped bring my skills and knowledge up to date since my original college education in photography was in the day of 35mm film. I also took classes in Photoshop editing and Lightroom. I continue to use this knowledge in my personal photography as I travel.
Since leaving Japan, I have continued to dedicate my time to my husband of 20 years and my children as we transition from military to civilian life. My children are thriving and it is time for me to get back to work.
I understand that re-entering the workforce after such an absence is not without its challenges. I have no delusions that I won’t have to prove myself. I understand merit and working my way up. But, I am ready for these challenges. I bring with me an eagerness to learn, a tenacity to excel, and a work ethic of a by-gone era. I want to be a hard working member of a team that appreciates these same qualities. Type your paragraph here.