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The Coke Fan Who Creates Paychecks

Anne Comilloni has a room dedicated to Coca-Cola memorabilia

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Anne Comilloni poses at home in front of a display case full of Coca-Cola memorabilia. She has a variety of items displayed year-round, including a couch and Christmas tree. Photo courtesy of Anne Comilloni.

Name: Anne ComilloniPosition: Director of operations, Duke Corporate Payroll ServicesYears at Duke: 21

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What I do at Duke: I supervise operations for Corporate Payroll, which means it could be anything from picking up timecards or invoices from departments to processing changes in benefits or addresses. We’re creating the paycheck and getting people paid. 

If I had $5 million, I would: I have two great-nephews and two great-nieces that I’d put money away for to be used for college. I never had the opportunity to be debt free, so that would be nice to pass on. I’d also buy a villa in Italy so I could travel back and forth and have my own place. I like Rome because of its religious connections and Naples because of it’s a fast-paced city. There’s lots of activity there, and my grandparents were from Naples. 

My first ever job: I worked as a cashier in a grocery store because my father said that if I wanted a car, I’d have to pay for the gas and insurance, so I went and got a job at a Shopwell in Mount Kisco, New York. I got my license in June and my father made me get a job in September, so I worked after school and on weekends.

My dream job: I’ve always wanted to be my own boss and I’d love to run a resort, where I could treat guests well and spoil them. I’d try to do it in the Caribbean.

If someone wanted to start a conversation with me they should ask me about: Coca-Cola. I have a 20-by-20 room at home where 75 percent of it is Coca-Cola memorabilia and the other 25 percent is Elvis stuff. The Coca-Cola collection started after I visited a friend in Atlanta and we went to a Coca-Cola plant, where there was a couch made out of an old-fashioned soda refrigerator. I thought it would be a unique conversation piece, so I shipped it home and built everything else around it. I have clocks, music boxes, a Christmas tree that’s up year round with ornaments - you name it. When you get to the doorway, I actually have a rope you take off to get in.

The best advice I ever received: My father always told me to treat people the way you want to be treated. As a manager, that’s one of the key things to remember.

What I love about Duke: The people here are like having a second family. Everybody is close and caring, plus I had never held a job where there’s regular interaction with students, which is neat.

When I’m not at work, I like to: Shop for my nieces and nephews because I see myself as a giver. I like taking care of others. Whenever I see my nieces and nephews, it’s like Christmas.

An interesting/memorable day at work for me: In 1995 or 1996, one of our directors, Charles West, was leaving after 27 years, so we rented out a space and gave him a big party. Nan Keohane was president at the time and came to his party. I’ll never forget that she came to have cake with us and shake his hand. To think a president of our university stopped what she was doing to say goodbye to this man.