Her Story
About Sherry
Sherry Tellez is the Executive Assistant to the Sheriff at the County Sheriff's Office in Tucumcari, New Mexico. She has held this position for two years after more than two decades in healthcare. In her current role, Tellez handles a wide range of responsibilities including managing police records through IPRAs, setting up training for officers, working on grants, assisting with financing, and supporting the sheriff with meetings and planning. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona through an online program after attending Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. Tellez became the first person in the nation to receive the Certified Law Enforcement Record Professional Certificate license, a distinction she achieved while being the only female in her office and actively participating in field trainings and classes alongside her male colleagues. Her approach to work emphasizes reliability, putting others first, and a commitment to moving forward, values shaped by her upbringing and personal experiences.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sherry
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
A quote from a friend: never look behind you unless you want to see where you came from. I always took that as moving forward, just keep going forward, no matter how bad your day was, or if it was a great day. Just keep moving forward, don't stop.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell any woman that wanted to go into it, to do it. Do your research. Ask questions. Don't let anybody tell you that is a man's field. Anybody could... You don't have to be on the front lines... If you want to help people, there's so many different branches that you can be in a department. If you want to go into law enforcement, do it. Connect with other women. Here in our state, we have a big Woman of Law Enforcement that get together, and we just feed off of each other, and we support each other.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field is I am the only female in our office of the county sheriff's. I'm the only female, when the guys go out and do something, I'm right there beside them, doing it, too. I attend the classes, I attend the trainings, I feel like I put my foot in the door.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My biggest value would probably be if I say I'm gonna get it done, I do it, even if I have to ask for help with it. I put more people up before myself. I try to help out when needed.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.