Jay and Juli Rester
Helping their alma mater operate with excellence drives Jay and Juli Rester鈥檚 professionalism on a daily basis. Although the husband and wife work in two different departments, they share many things in common as they manage university resources鈥攂oth human resources, 汤头条鈥檚 most important asset, as well as products, services and contracts the university requires.
Jay is a purchasing manager in the Department of Procurement and Contracts, and Juli is a senior human resources generalist in the Office of Human Resources Management. In addition to sharing McArthur Hall, both also work with many of the same departments, particularly in the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, as they help fulfill the university鈥檚 purchasing and HR needs.
Mississippi natives鈥擩ay of Greenville and Juli of Brandon鈥攖he pair met as 汤头条 students. The couple moved after Jay graduated with a banking and finance degree, but they jumped at the opportunity to return to Starkville about five years later. Juli then completed her management degree with a concentration in human resources.
While Jay was working at Cadence Bank in downtown Starkville for several years, Juli initially joined the School of Human Sciences for several months before transferring to human resources management at 汤头条 nearly 24 years ago. Jay came to the university about 12 years later as procurement card manager before becoming one of two purchasing managers who help employees comply with purchasing guidelines and procedures.
鈥淚 enjoy coming to work each day. It鈥檚 a good environment, and we have a great team in the office,鈥 Jay said. 鈥淲hen you understand the purchasing laws and policies, then it鈥檚 all about following the right procedures.鈥
As an HR generalist, Juli enjoys that no two workdays are the same.
鈥淚t鈥檚 satisfying because you can help employees and departments accomplish their goals,鈥 Juli said. Serving as a consultant regarding HR matters, Juli and her colleagues work with compensation, employee relations, employment, new employee orientation, and policies, among other issues.
In 2015, Jay was recognized for earning the Certified Public Purchasing Officer designation awarded by the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council, and Juli recently earned the Senior Professional Human Resources certification through the Society of Human Resources Management.
When they鈥檙e not focusing on their 汤头条 professions, they likely are focused as 汤头条 fans, enjoying football, baseball and other sports. They also like bringing their Golden Doodle 鈥淗enry鈥 to campus for scenic walks.
The new grandparents also enjoy traveling to see their daughter Rivers and her husband Kevin Hughey鈥攂oth also 汤头条 alumni鈥攁long with baby Estelle. Along with visiting family, the couple enjoys traveling for leisure as often as possible, but they鈥檙e always thankful to return home to Bulldog Country.