Tera Mccleary
Tera McCleary is an experienced ERP and project management professional with nearly two decades of expertise in guiding large-scale implementations and establishing project governance structures. She currently works as an ERP Project Manager contractor for ABC Supply Co. Inc. through Apex Systems, where she oversees the deployment of two major ERP systems for the construction wholesale company. Her focus is on project governance, stakeholder engagement, and delivering complex programs on time and within budget, often stepping into in-progress initiatives and driving them to successful completion.
Tera’s career began in retail and technical support at Walgreens, troubleshooting pharmacy printers, and later transitioned into POS and payment systems management. From there, she advanced into project and program management, developing PMO structures and governance at companies including Level 10, LLC and Computershare, as well as managing digital program governance for McDonald's Corporation. Throughout her career, she has focused on project management methodologies, organizational processes, and defining scalable structures for teams and programs across industries.
Tera holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education from Maryville College and has earned certifications including PMP, ITIL Foundations, and Scrum Master (SMC). Known for her pragmatic problem-solving and ability to navigate complex projects, she is particularly proud of her capacity to take midstream projects from challenge to completion. Tera also maintains active professional and community involvement, reflecting her commitment to mentorship, leadership, and continuous growth within the project management and IT software fields.
• Scrum Master Certified
• Project Management Professional
• ITIL Continuous Service Improvement
• ITIL Foundations v3
• Maryville College- B.A.
• The Moose Lodge
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to several mentors along the way and a lot of hard work. I've always been driven and had perseverance, just pushing through whatever challenges come my way. Those mentors really helped guide me, and combining their wisdom with my own determination and willingness to work hard has been key to getting where I am today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to gain as many tools for your toolbox as you can. Somebody told me that in college, and it was the best advice I've gotten that I now pass along to anybody I run into. Basically, if somebody offers you the chance to do something that may be outside of your skill set or outside of your job description, take it. This advice has really come into play throughout my career, allowing me to navigate different areas, take on different roles, and be versatile when looking for new opportunities. Having different experiences in my background has been invaluable.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to gain as many tools for your toolbox as you can. Somebody told me that in college, and it was the best advice I've ever received that I now pass along to anyone I meet. If somebody offers you the chance to do something that may be outside of your skill set or outside of your job description, take it. This has really come into play for me in being able to navigate different areas of my career, take on different roles, and be versatile when looking for new positions. Having different experiences in my background has made all the difference.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both work and life are perseverance, hard work, staying driven, and learning from the guidance and influence of mentors.