Inside NIRMA Spring 2021

From the CRM
Records Management
Career — A Series of
Song Lyrics
T
hroughout my life, I have related life’s moments to
song lyrics more often than I care to admit. Often,
I say it out loud and those that know me well,
expect it, and may respond with their own dueling
song lyric. But, for those newcomers to my world, I may
get an eye roll or a wrinkled confused look. I will most
likely get both responses from this readership and “it’s
alright” (Traveling Wilburys). Bear with me as I relate
my records and information management career to song
lyrics.
Phase 1 — “Mud on the Tires”
I completed my MBA in 1995 and was searching for
the next level in my professional life when my
Department Manager at Savannah River Site (SRS)
proposed a solid path to the CRM certification for those
in the department who were qualified. The two in-house
CRMs established study groups and the competition
began. Despite a crazy work schedule and unexpected
obstacles in my personal life, I remained persistent in
studying for the exam and was very thrilled to pass Part
6 of the exam in January 1998 to become a CRM.
Joining the elite CRM group gave me the feeling that
I had a “brand new Chevrolet” to try out on a dirt road.
I had reached a new level in my career and I felt so
professional and so ready to prove myself that I could
“hardly wait to get a little mud on the tires”.
I felt obligated to give back to the profession and
immediately became a test grader for Part 6 and began
mentoring CRM candidates. I became immersed in
ARMA International leadership starting with my local
ARMA Chapter serving as Chapter Treasurer, Chapter
Newsletter Editor, and Chapter President. I became a
regular speaker for chapters in the Mid-Atlantic Region
and enjoyed visiting the chapters and their cities. As if
that was not enough, I jumped into ARMA Region
leadership roles including Region Coordinator, Region
Treasurer, and Region Manager. This enthusiasm for the
profession, then resulted in being elected to serve a
By Denise L. Pickett,
CRM/NS/FED, IGP
three-year term on the ARMA Board of Directors.
The CRM designation was the key to breaking into
my next awesome role with Deloitte & Touche as
Regional Records Manager. The role was so diverse and
allowed me to work with and travel to so many offices
(cities) across the firm. Without the CRM, I would have
never been offered this role.
You cannot be scared to “get a little mud on the
tires” and “stake out a little piece of shore line” of your
own in your professional career.
Phase 2 — “Big Shot”
A new role as Records Management and Document
Control Manager in the Nuclear Department at Black &
Veatch pushed me back into the nuclear industry and
opened the door to become very active in NIRMA. I
had attended NIRMA conferences while at SRS in the
1990s and with company support began attending the
annual NIRMA conferences again. During that first time
back at a conference, I attended a study session for the
CRM/Nuclear Specialist (CRM/NS) and immediately
knew this was my next phase in my certification
progression and my career. Mary Binkholder was the
NIRMA President at that time and she said she was
going to apply for and take the Nuclear Specialist
examination which challenged me to do the same.
I earned my NS designation the year after Mary
earned hers and I felt like a “Big Shot”. I had to “prove
it to the crowd” that I could be a part of the small group
of active CRM/NSs. After being shocked by the low
number of active Nuclear Specialists, I began
challenging others to work toward this and “my friends
were so knocked out” that two more active CRM/NS
professionals have been added to the elite group.
I have truly enjoyed the family feeling of NIRMA and
being a part of the Membership & Marketing Business
Unit and serving on the Board. The networking
opportunities have been priceless so I invite all of you
18 Spring 2021 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA