Sheryl Smith Mott graduated from Sidney Senior High in 1962 with a Regents Degree in Business and began her career immediately, first at the First National Bank in Sidney, followed by Whitaker & Son and in 1966 Keith Clark Inc.
At Keith Clark Inc. she began as Retail Order Secretary, then progressed to Order Processing Supervisor, Executive Secretary to the COB, Customer Service Support Supervisor, Credit Manager and then in 1991 Director of Credit Services where she was responsible for the overall management of the company's credit exposure and timely collections during Keith Clark's evolution to a major division of the MeadWestvaco Company, a Fortune 500 company. She was the first recipient of the Order Processing Industry's Credit Executive of the Year Award and authored Ratio Analysis Workbook published by the National Association of Credit Management.
At the time of her retirement the MeadWestvaco Business News article stated "Sherry's multiple contributions to the business world and continued success will be sorely missed. Jeff Pilarchik, Corporate Credit Manager for Mirabito Energy Division also noted that "Sherry has truly reached outside the boundaries of Sidney, NY and helped develop a regional credit association that has benefited from her professionalism".
Sherry is a Past Matron and Past District Officer of the Order of the Eastern Star, a long-time volunteer as a mentor to the girls of Order of Rainbow, and a leader, organizer, cook, teacher and computer "whiz" for the Unadilla Methodist Church. In 1985 she was selected as "First Lady of the Year" by Beta Sigma Phi for community service. Sherry Mott exemplifies that hard work, commitment, a desire to succeed and service to others can enable one to achieve the honor of reaching the top of her profession.
Sherry and Ron Mott are also proud of their "adopted" family of four from Rwanda who have been brought to America, become United States citizens and are currently attending schools of higher learning. Their son Dwight is Director of the International School of Lesotho in South Africa and daughter Tammi, a former Peace Core Volunteer to the Congo who has helped victims from the Rwandan genocide in reunification with their families, is currently Program Officer with Episcopal Relief and Development in Southern Africa.