RocketDocs Spotlight: Betty Manning

Betty Manning is a name that resonates with everyone at RocketDocs. To know Betty is to cherish her. At 75, born in Los Angeles, California, she’s a force of nature—sharp, energetic, and full of life. A self-described type A personality, she’s been using the platform since 1994 when it was called PMAPS.

Betty started as a consultant, tasked with onboarding and training every new customer. For 15 years, she traveled across the U.S. and Europe, training over 150 companies while also managing their accounts. Many of her early clients, from the 1990s, are still with her today. Back then, the software cost $60,000, and there were only two competitors in the market. Since that time, the response management industry has grown by more than 1050%.

Betty’s journey with PMAPS began when she met the company’s former owner through a previous job. He promised her, “When we get big enough, we’re hiring you.” And he kept his word. Today, as a Customer Success Account Manager and Technical Specialist, she continues to oversee hundreds of accounts, drawing on her background in managing RFP teams. This experience allows her to deeply understand her customers’ needs, gaining their trust by relating to their goals and challenges.

“My superpower is building long-term partnerships and helping customers use all the features of our platform to boost their productivity and effectiveness,” Betty says.

Lindsey Bohlender, Director of Services and Customer Service and Betty’s manager, describes her as helpful, dedicated, and brilliant. “Betty is a tireless advocate for her customers. She always finds creative solutions to complex problems and puts their best interests first,” Bohlender says.

Betty actually started working for them as consultant in 1999, but officially joined the company in 2005. Her 25-year tenure at RocketDocs is impressive, especially in today’s fast-changing work environment. What’s even more remarkable is her wide-ranging career before RocketDocs. She has been to court reporting school, culinary school, and is now studying real estate—all while holding down full-time jobs.

She once co-managed a 23-person proposal team for a Fortune 500 healthcare company, where she earned the title of “content formatting queen.” She’s also been a division manager for a sporting goods company, an administrative assistant, grocery employee, and managed a bakery with a staff of 15. Her love for baking began when she made Easter baskets for her young son and her nieces and nephews, inspiring her to take candy-making classes.

However, not all her grocery experiences were sweet—she recalls the challenge of having to shrink-wrap live crabs. “This was a long time ago, but they’d poke right through the wrapping! People would ask how fresh they were, and I’d say, ‘You’d be surprised,’” she laughs.

Betty’s first job was at a record store during the Beatles’ first U.S. tour—a fitting start for someone with such a rich history. Today, in her spare time, she runs an Etsy shop called Manning Marvels, where she creates bedazzled tumblers and custom t-shirts.

Looking to the future, Betty dreams of improving residential assisted living options, envisioning beautiful homes with outdoor spaces and chefs for active seniors who have lost a spouse but don’t want to be confined to a small room. She’s passionate about creating community living spaces for foster kids aging out of the system, young adults fresh out of college, and those in sober living environments.

When asked what she wants to be remembered for, Betty simply says, “I want to be of service. I want people to remember me as a good person who made the world a better place.” Her goal is to improve by 1% every day.

Betty draws inspiration from her mother, with whom she moved to Arizona six years ago so her mom wouldn’t have to live alone. “My mom is my hero. She’s 93, a golfer, and does her own grocery shopping. She runs circles around me,” Betty says, with admiration.

Her family is a major source of pride. Her son, Jason, is 53 and “the light of my life.” Betty also has three grandsons, one great-granddaughter, a sister, and a niece, all of whom live in Colorado. Together, they are avid Colorado Avalanche fans, having spent countless hours watching and following hockey.

Betty’s other loves include cooking and animals. She’s an enthusiastic cook who loves making elaborate dishes like Julia Child’s beef bourguignon with fresh ingredients. “When I’m cooking, don’t hand me those dry herbs,” she laughs.

She’s also had a range of pets over the years, from a bearded dragon to a miniature pig. “I love them for companionship. When I’m a millionaire and working just 10 hours a week, I’ll think about getting another pet,” she jokes.

Professionally, Betty considers her greatest achievement to be her work at RocketDocs. “I feel like my biggest accomplishment is being here, being a partner for our customers, helping them grow. I know about their families, we develop these relationships” she says.

When asked for career advice, Betty emphasizes adaptability and passion. “Change is constant, so you have to know how to pivot. Be a sponge, learn everything you can, and see how all the pieces fit together. Work well with others. And find something you love—it shouldn’t feel like work.”

RocketDocs CEO Perry Robinson adds his own thoughts on Betty’s incredible impact on the company:

“As our longest serving and most enthusiastic member of the Customer Success Team and the company, Betty plays a critical role as coach, cheerleader and player. In addition to this, Betty remains an incredibly strong advocate for our customers. Whether it is promoting a particular feature enhancement or just making sure that we continue to go above and beyond for Customers, you can rely on Betty to lead the charge or to pipe in with great ideas and feedback,” said Robinson. “Her cheerful demeanor is constant. We like to joke internally that Betty has a following in the RFP space, but really it’s basically true.”

Betty Manning’s journey is a testament to her unwavering dedication, adaptability, and passion for helping others. Over three decades, she has been an indispensable part of RocketDocs, shaping the company’s culture and building lasting relationships with customers. Her story reflects the values that RocketDocs itself holds dear—commitment, innovation, and a deep understanding of the needs of the response management industry.

As RocketDocs continues to grow and evolve, it’s people like Betty who remind us that true success comes from fostering strong partnerships and always striving to make a positive impact. With a team built on experience and a future fueled by innovation, RocketDocs is proud to have Betty as part of its legacy.