Teresa Dusil and Meth-Wick grew up together. Teresa graduated from Central College in 1981, when Meth-Wick was 20 years old and The Manor was its only building. Eager to use her degree in business management, she went to Iowa Workforce, where she was told Meth-Wick had an opening. She said, “What is Meth-Wick?”

Although Teresa doesn’t recall her first job title, she does recall what the job entailed: everything. “I did whatever needed to be done because there was no one else to do it,” she says.

Teresa gained experience in problem solving, project management, customer service and working with vendors. She assembled packets for the board of directors and took notes at meetings. She gave tours to prospects and signed move-in agreements, which gave her the chance to meet each resident. With offices and residences in one building, Teresa saw residents every day. “I knew everyone by name,” she says. “I really enjoyed that.”

As Meth-Wick grew, many of Teresa’s duties evolved into positions filled by new staff.

Good memories, bad technology
While Teresa has fond memories of her early days with Meth-Wick, she does not miss the low-tech (or no-tech) way of doing things, which made simple tasks a challenge. “I remember I had to dial the Meth-Wick operator, who used a switchboard, to get an outside line,” she says.

Teresa prepared the resident newsletter using a typewriter and mimeograph, a duplicating machine that used ink and a stencil. “I remember it was a really big deal when we got our first copier,” she says. Thirty-five years later, Teresa still enjoys producing the resident newsletter.

Some of Meth-Wick’s early apartments had a one-piece kitchen unit similar to the type used in campers, and included a sink, stovetop and refrigerator. The resident dining area served three meals a day. “It had a cafeteria feeling, with a few long tables,” says Teresa.

Working at Meth-Wick for over three decades has given Teresa a sense of continuity. “I feel like a teacher who’s taught multiple generations of family members,” she says. The Griswold family is one such example. Doris Griswold was a resident for 18 years. Today her son, Jon, lives in Greenwood Terrace with his wife, Phyllis.

Meth-Wick plays matchmaker
Teresa has seen Meth-Wick experience tremendous growth, providing her with an ever- evolving job that is never boring. She credits Meth-Wick for introducing her to her husband, Randy. He was the project manager for Rinderknecht while Greenwood Terrace was being built.

Today, as director of operations, Teresa identifies and meets with potential donors. “I help them match their passions with gifts that enhance residents’ lives,” she says. She also manages capital campaigns like “Rejuvenate,” a recently completed project at The Woodlands. “It’s my job to keep things moving,” she says. It’s not often someone spends their career with one company. “I was lucky to join Meth-Wick when I did.”

Meth-Wick shares that luck. “Many residents and employees have benefited from Teresa’s deep past with Meth-Wick,” says Robin Mixdorf, CEO. “Teresa and other long-term employees carry our history with them into the community. People enjoy living and working with others who share their visions and goals.”

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