40 AT 40: Cori Link
Job Title: Human Resources Coordinator

The people are what sets Bandit Lites apart from the rest of the industry. Once a week, for 40 weeks, Bandit will showcase an employee that has made a substantial contribution to the company, whether it be in an office, on the road or somewhere in between. Bandit would not be celebrating its 40th Anniversary without the hard work and dedication of every one these employees.*

*Employee Spotlights are released in no particular order.

Cori Link was working as a bank teller in La Vergne, TN when she was offered a receptionist position at Bandit Lites. In the twelve years she has been with the company, Link transitioned from receptionist/administrative assistant to office manager and today she coordinates human resources for the entire company. Here are a few questions we asked to get to know her a little better.

Q: How did you get involved with Bandit Lites?
A: It’s actually a funny story. I was working as a bank teller and Mike Golden (he’s a Vice President at Bandit) was one of our customers. One day, he called me up out of the blue and asked me if I was happy at my job. At the time, I didn’t know who was calling. I thought I was being ‘shopped’ by our bank so I said that I was happy at the bank. It turns out Bandit had been interviewing for a receptionist position. Mike had seen me working one day and thought I’d be a great fit. I decided to take the receptionist job and have been here ever since.

Q: As the Human Resources Coordinator, what are your job responsibilities?
A: I oversee HR operations for all of our locations. This includes all the logistics of hiring/firing, insurance, etc. I also coordinate unique employee activities such as quarterly family outings, monthly catered lunches, a Christmas party and Angel Tree shopping.

Q: Could you elaborate on any of the activities you just mentioned?
A: The family outings are social events we offer to our employees and their families four times per year. For example, in the last year, the Nashville employees have gone horseback riding, the UK office has gone snowboarding and the Knoxville office has gone on a riverboat cruise. Angel Tree shopping is pretty incredible as well. Each December Bandit provides transportation and $50 to each participating employee and we all go shopping for underprivileged families.

Q: What sets Bandit apart from other companies?
A: Well, besides all of the things I just talked about, I would say our benefits package. It includes everything from employee paid health and dental insurance, matching 401K, paid vacations etc. Bandit also pays for employees to continue their education. From all of this you really get a sense that Bandit cares about its employees. It is great to be part of that.