When asked to describe Peggy Roy, I would have to say she is about 98 pounds of pure energy, determination and enthusiasm. When asked how she has gotten to her position in life, I would respond that it’s 98 percent perspiration. Peggy, more than anyone I know, lives up to that old saying, “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” And a harder worker, you may never find.

Raised near Boise, Idaho, Peggy attended the University of Idaho on the ROTC program, and was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy on her graduation day. She served our country in various exotic locations, including Pensacola, FL, The Philippine Islands, and Guam — where she met her husband of 21 years, Rob Roy.

She reached the rank of Commander and retired at FISC (Fleet Industrial Supply Center), Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1997, following 20 years of distinguished service. Two weeks later, Peggy joined Paladin Data Systems Corporation in Poulsbo, where she will mark her fourth employment anniversary this coming April.

Peggy worked on several projects in her initial years at Paladin, and hit her stride when she took the reins of Paladin’s Microsoft Technical Education Center two years ago. As Vice President of Education, she has grown the technology training operation from start up, to a practice that now represents 15-20 percent of the company’s overall revenues. She has assembled a talented team of progressive individuals, who have been given the autonomy to put their own stamp on their projects, encouraging ownership and innovation.

But when discussing her career life, Peggy puts it this way, “My success in the Navy, as well as at Paladin, isn’t a result of anything I do, personally. I have been very fortunate to work with great people. Everyday, when I go to Paladin in the morning and when I leave at the end of the day, I remind myself how lucky I am to work with such a great team! I have truly been fortunate.”

Peggy’s commitment to the company, and the community at large, is evident in her daily routine. She fostered a public/private partnership formed by Paladin with seven local school districts stretching from Bainbridge Island to Gig Harbor, providing some $76,000 in grants and information technology training to the public schools. She also created Paladin’s Scholarship Program, which awards information technology education scholarships to Kitsap County high school seniors.

Never one to shrink from a challenge, Peggy now faces a new and exciting endeavor this month, as she kicks off Paladin Support Center. This team of Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers is structured to assist local businesses with technology needs analyses; identifying and procuring required hardware and software; installation and implementation of hardware and software; and associated network support. Peggy refers to this group as the “emergency response team” for business owners and managers — on call to meet your technology needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Peggy is successful because she is smart, organized and disciplined. But the trait that truly inspires those who work with her, the one that we believe really marks her success, is her desire to see everyone around her succeed. Peggy is quick to praise, slow to criticize, and she offers a continuous supply of encouragement to others. In a day and age when some people question whether or not character really counts, she demonstrates that it truly does. Peggy Roy has the character that counts. She is trustworthy, loyal, and dedicated to her cause. She quietly sets her goals — constantly reaching to newer and greater heights — and without fanfare, she goes about achieving her objectives.

I have really enjoyed working with Peggy for the past two years. I find her a constant source of inspiration; and I am proud to call her, not just a co-worker, but my friend.