Ozarks Profile - Ann Varner

What is your job?

Ann Varner is the office manager for Ozark Industrial Lighting. "My voice is the voice most often heard when the phone rings," she said. "I answer lighting questions, write work orders, invoices and take care of accounts receivable."

Please tell us about your company.

Ozark Industrial Lighting was started in 1985 by Charles Hornback and Steve Smith, and is now owned by Varner's brothers, Charles and Tom Hornback. "We're a small company with four people doing the work," she said. "We take great pride in being a service company for just about all lighting needs, inside or outside the business. Ceiling lights, exit lights everything inside and lot lights, signs everything outside. Scheduling differences make it difficult to do residential lighting, but if they are willing to work with us, we'll do our best."

What prepared you for work in your field?

"There is not a thing to prepare a person for my job, except for college business classes, a healthy desire to learn, practical experience, and a gentle toss of theory out the window," she said. "Theory and practice don't always meet in the middle. You just have to be willing to continually learn and be flexible."

Is holiday lighting a big part of what the company does?

"Holiday lighting is not a big part of our business," Varner said. "There are others who fill that need."

What's the best part of your job or profession?

"The people! People are great. They are discovering that a light bulb is not just a light bulb," Varner said, adding that it's important that people not believe everything they see or read about lighting, but that they call and consult with a company that works with lighting on a daily basis.

Can you tell us something about your personal life and family?

In addition to working with her brothers, Varner's husband, Ernie, whom she calls "wonderful," also works at Ozark Industrial Lighting. The Varners have been married for 28 years and they have two grown sons, one daughter-in-law, two cats and one dog.

How do you like to spend your leisure time?

"Away from work, I love to cook, watch people eat what I've cooked, knit and crochet, and read as time permits. During warm weather, camping is a great escape," she said.

by Maria Hoover