GINA MORTIMER STORR: Meet Gina

A native of the Bahamas, I relocated to the US in 1998 to join my “BahMerican” husband. (After several months of living apart, he reminded me that we did not need to be married to continue a long distance relationship…hint, hint!!!)

Raeh, Ryan and Keva

I am the mother of three adult children ( can you still call them children if they’re adults??) who have all returned to the Bahamas, the home of their birth. (Something about that island life makes it hard to stay away……….)

My distinct “Bahamian” accent often evokes the question: “why would anyone leave paradise to come here??!” The truth is, if I had my current skills and available technology back in 1998, I very likely would never have left since, what I do, I do completely virtually!!!!!

Participating in Junkanoo

I come from a close knit extended family and travel “home” often to attend celebrations and other noted occasions. My business model permits me literally to work from anywhere, at anytime (including while I was cruising in the Mediterranean in the summer of 2008!). I employ my skills and expertise to make this a reality for anyone who uses the internet to do business. My favorite time for visiting is during the Christmas holidays, when we have our Junkanoo Parades (I used to be responsible for its organization and had a Parade named in my honor).

My formal education is as far removed from my current areas of business and expertise as my Bahamian roots are from the life I lived when I relocated to the DC area in 1998 (I currently call Central Fl home). After completing high school in my native Bahamas, I attended The Great Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach Fl, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology (Criminal Justice and Psychology).

My professional journey has been varied and exciting! Although my post college expertise was developed across only a total of four organizations, these were varied and intercepted several areas of exposure.

My love of working on a keyboard span some 40+ years since I was introduced to typewriting at the age of ten! After the addition of computers as an integral part of the workplace, my first exposure was to Lotus and Wang. Since then, I have had the privilege of becoming proficient in several computer platforms and applications and, have mastered online business development and marketing skills. I credit my complete adult experiences with the diversity that I bring to my expertise today:

As a student of dance and theater, I learned discipline and strong work ethics
As a student of sociology, criminal justice and psychology, I developed empathy and concern for the needs of others and strong research skills.
As a mother, I learned diplomacy, multi-tasking and fierce loyalty
As a social worker, group therapist and halfway house administrator, I developed a strong sense of commitment and powerful organizational skills.
As a trainer, registry manager, personnel officer, author of a draft cabinet document to celebrate an historical event, national festival planner and administrator, I mastered my research, developmental and enhanced my organizational skills.
As a purchaser, merchandiser, business and sales consultant and promotional developer, I became successful at creating excitement and improving the bottom line as well as the ability to pay attention to detail.
As a circulation and office manager with extended responsibility for sales and marketing support, I continue to improve my proficiency in database and list management, off site staff management and several computer applications.

Gina Mortimer Storr

Although I have extensive life and work experiences already, I still have a hunger for learning and continue to improve my skills.

To share any more information before we actually meet would be, like my children might say, TMI!!!!