Gracie Huff, Beloved Leader and Friend Who Laid the Foundation at PS

It is important for us to know where we came from and who helped us get to where we are today. If you work for or have visited Production Solutions (PS), you may have taken a meeting in the Huff room, a conference space in the PS office named after one of our trusted colleagues and a dear friend, Gracie Huff. We have deep appreciation and gratitude for Gracie and the contribution that she made to PS during her tenure as the Director of Finance.

Gracie started at Production Solutions in May of 1991 when PS was comprised of nine employees. With her impeccable work ethic and conscientiousness, Gracie was an intricate part of building a strong foundation for PS.

A consummate professional, Gracie “embodied the seriousness and maturity that the company needed at that time. She brought a level of skill, dignity and pride to the company when it was in explosive growth mode. She brought levity to the table in addition to her incredible skills,” reminisced George Lizama, PS’ President of Gracie’s tenure.  George continues, “Committed, dedicated, and adaptable are just a few ways to describe Gracie. She challenged leadership and spoke up when she felt something needed to be done differently – she was not afraid to share her opinion.”

Prior to Gracie joining the trio, George Lizama, Wayne Lizama and Greg Albright were the executive team running the day-to-day operations at PS.

Greg, a co-founder of PS and the current Chief Relationship Officer for PS and Moore, describes Gracie, “There are pivotal moments. One of those moments was the day Gracie walked in the door and gave us a change. She brought us to the next level. Gracie and Vickie combined gave us an incredible friendship of five people. She brought the best out of all of us.”

George Lizama shares more about his colleague and friend, “Gracie brought Vickie (Hector) to the table. Vickie took over the front office and Administration, while Gracie worked in Accounting. These women were two pillars that took PS to new heights. They infused into the company the notion that every employee was equal and to be treated with dignity.” Gracie embraced every one of the staff members, no matter their background.

Vickie Hector, Gracie’s best friend, fellow church congregation leader and the person we all experience as the heart of PS, poignantly shared, “Gracie was loving, graceful, resilient, inspirational and beautiful. She was attentive to and embraced all people. If I could, I would tell Gracie that what we built is still strong, in good hands and thriving. She would be so proud of the investment she made in this company. She was my best friend, sister and confidant all wrapped into one.”

PS’ CFO and Moore’s CAO, Wayne Lizama, remembers Gracie as having unshakeable integrity. “She was about the good, and she was not interested in anything else. She defined caretaking in both her professional and personal life.”

Exceptionally gifted at public speaking, Gracie is described by her former colleagues as eloquent, charismatic, respected by all, and kind yet powerful.

Gracie personified mentorship and friendship and she was very approachable. Gracie was always there to help you out in any way she could; her biggest flaw was never saying no. Her can-do attitude and caring approach made you feel warm in her presence– with her was where you wanted to be.

Sharing another admiring anecdote, George says, “She had competency and confidence not only in Accounting but especially in applying it to Information Technology which we still use today. She led the charge in formalizing the role of IT within Accounting functions. She built a foundation for generations to come.”

After a long, courageous battle with cancer, Gracie passed away in November 2014. Gracie is remembered today as an anchor of the PS family, a matriarchal role. The legacy that she left still inspires the employees of PS today, and for generations to come.

We are proud and honored to share her story with those of you who did not have an opportunity to meet this incredible woman and leader. We hope you feel a bit more connected to her, especially if you have the opportunity to have a meeting in the room that is named in her honor.