Valerie J. Goodin is writing a reference letter for Joey Clemons. She met Joey when he was a customer service representative at a local bank and was impressed by his passion for helping international students and involvement in the international community. Joey helped Valerie with her banking needs during international travel and introduced her to his network of international friends. Even after leaving the bank, Joey continued to reliably help Valerie with tasks needed during her travels abroad. Valerie recommends Joey without reservation for any position and says that if she were hiring, she would hire Joey immediately due to his trustworthiness and dedication to his clients.

1. RE: Reference for Joey Clemons
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Since retiring from the University of Missouri in 2008 I rarely have the chance to write
recommendations. However, when I learned that Joey Clemons would be seeking employment, I
volunteered to write this letter.
I met Joey while he was a customer service representative at Boone County National
Bank. When he learned of my approaching international travel, he quickly and easily solved my
banking concerns. At the same time, he shared his passion for working with the international
community of folks who live, work and study in the Columbia area.
That is a passion we share! Almost immediately he began including me in his network of
international friends. I was invited to his home many times and was always included in plans he
made to entertain international friends. While my work precluded my being able to join in these
fun events, I soon saw that was only one side of Joey’s deep involvement.
Since managing the international outreach of the Mizzou Alumni Association was part of
my work/passion, I met and knew many international students and attended a number of events
on campus, organized by various student groups. I often saw Joey at these events, and was not
surprised. Joey embodies the statement, “To have a friend, you must first be one.” Joey is dead
serious when he tells people that his clients are his friends. I know, because that is how I became
a friend of his.
Throughout my international sojourn, Joey has quickly and thoroughly handled business
that I needed to have done in Columbia. And upon leaving BCNB, he recommended someone
there I could trust to provide the kind of service I need when I am out of the country.
Regretfully, that is not true of other service providers, and I had become “gun-shy” about
sending students, who trusted me, to work with some in other service industries. However, I had
no reservations about sending students to Joey. He is 100% trustworthy.
Although I am no longer in a position to hire employees, I can say without reservation
that if I were, I would hire Joey Clemons in a heartbeat!
Sincerely,
Valerie J. Goodin
Director Emerita
Mizzou Alumni Association