THE AMBER WEITZER PODCAST SILHOUETTES OF SUCCESS

VICKI GANSKE | EPISODE 17 | SHOW NOTES

FEATURED GUEST

She grew up all over as an AF brat (15 schools before college), she graduated from Texas Tech in ‘69, married an AF pilot, went back to Texas Tech Law School five years later from Guam while her husband did his tour in the Vietnam War.  Graduated from Law School in 1977 and took the Texas and Florida Bar exams since while her husband was stationed there.  Moved to Fort Worth in 1978 and practiced here – both as in-house counsel for Tandy Corporation and Foster Mortgage Corporation, as well as private practice, then spent the last 16 years of her career with the Fort Worth City Attorney’s Office.  She continued to be a military wife until 2001 when her husband retired from the Texas Air Guard. Vicki retired this August after 43 years as a lawyer.  Her main areas of practice were real estate and mortgage lending law.  

Education

• Mortgage Bankers Association, School of Mortgage Banking I (1988)
• J.D. – Texas Tech University School of Law (1977)
• Teacher’s Certificate – University of Guam (1974)
• B.A. (Speech) – Texas Tech University (1969)

Affiliations & Activities

United States District Court, Northern District of Texas

• State Bar of Texas (1977 – Present)
• State Bar of Florida (1977 – 1979)
• Texas Board of Legal Specialization – Board Certified, Residential Real Estate Law (Since 1985)

Publications & Presentations

• Author, Residential Loan Origination: State Disclosures & Regulations, SLIS 1994
• Speaker on topics related to mortgage loan origination and servicing, and land title issues including probate

Prior Experience

Prior to joining the City Attorney’s Office, Vicki Ganske’s experience included the following:

• Hunter and Associates, of Counsel, 1992-2004
• Foster Mortgage Corporation, Vice President and Corporate Counsel, 1987-1992
• Sole Practitioner, 1982-1987
• Tandy Corporation, Staff Attorney, 1980-1982
• Briefing Attorney, Court of Civil Appeals, 1978-1980

Notable and Inspiring Accolades:

1^st  Woman Lawyer at Tandy Corporation

1^st Woman President of Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

Adaptability: Vicki shares such in-depth insights during this episode. In her learning the value of adaptability early from her youth and how she developed that skill. It’s great to hear her wisdom in speaking to one of my favorites “Show Up” or better yet, “How can I help?” . Her insights into collaborating with others by “How can I participate and be a part of the good things you are doing?”. It’s simplistic genius! She guides us on how to also appreciate their participation too.Vicki says to invest yourself in other people and also learn from your experiences-very quickly. She makes us laugh calling herself the “Accidental Lawyer”!

Perspective: It takes a lot to rattle her having been through war zones, experiencing a multitude of cultures with varied personalities and problem resolution big and small…listen again when she tells us about “one step snakes, two step snakes, three step snakes.” It’s interesting to hear her talk about carrying such a heavy workload that it actually helped insulate her from the early years of gender discrimination being a mom, wife and active attorney running a business. Remember…she’s been through a war-zones, so sticks and stones! Another favorite of mine: “Respect the office, conduct yourself accordingly.”

Teamwork: What fantastic framing from her perspective; Vicki noticed early on that women didn’t have the exposure to team sports like men did (back in the day) that seemingly gave men an edge in the workplace. It was something that I hadn’t ever thought about, in that context. She speaks about doing your part, showing up, doing your fair share or the job you are supposed to do! Whether it was in the military life, your family, as a mom, as a wife, in the classroom, court room, or office…do your job and then some to earn your keep and respect of your peers. She’s masterful at managing relationships with people and shares with us how when you manage up, it engenders trust-see the big picture, understand the trade off, don’t personalize it-Come from a position of kindness, when they succeed you have done your job.

INTENTIONAL INSPIRATION

Invest Yourself In People | Cast Your Bread Upon The Waters

RESOURCE LIST

The Cadfael Chronicles By Ellis Peters

Michael Connelly, Author