Tenika has worked in corporate accounting for nearly two decades and possesses more than 20 years of general business and administrative experience. In 2006, she began her career in corporate accounting, working for several large entities, including Rave Motion Pictures, AutoNation and Affirmative Insurance. Years later, she expanded her corporate accounting knowledge by becoming a controller and account payable manager for far-reaching American healthcare companies, Encompass Home Health and Cornerstone Healthcare Group.
Most recently, Tenika served as the senior finance manager and director of finance for Legends Hospitality, working directly with the Dallas Cowboys franchise ownership. In her role, she had total accounting ownership for all Legends AT&T Stadium operations and lines of business, including food and beverage, retail, and tours totaling $70 million in annual revenue. During that time, she also worked as the chief operations officer and chief financial officer of Lukes’ Soul Food Café, a small family-owned and operated food services company based in Desoto, Texas.
Tenika graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Louisiana State University Shreveport. She also earned her master’s degree in business administration and was selected to the school’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter in 2017. In addition to being a CPA candidate, Tenika is also studying to pass the CPA exam.
What inspires you?
Knowing that no matter what happens, only I can decide how I let it affect me. I have no control over life or what happens in the world around me, but I have total control over how I react to it and how I feel about it.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I have been an avid reader since I was a kid. My mom likes to tell people I started reading at age one and I haven’t stopped since! In middle school, I would spend my lunch break in the library. When I’m not reading, I enjoy watching anime like Naruto, Spy x Family, Demon Slayer and others and watching classic cartoons like The Flintstones or Looney Toons. I’m also a big SpongeBob fan! But spending time with my husband, two adult sons, and three fur children is my favorite hobby.
What can’t you do without?
Cartoons! For a solid three years or so after Cartoon Network debuted in the 90s, my TV channel literally never changed! I guess tied with that would be the internet because I live and die by my mapping apps and Duck Duck Go!
What is your favorite part of your job?
The people! I love the great people here at Cooksey, the challenges I encounter, and the problems I get to solve. Now that I’ve found my tribe, you may never get me to leave!
