How I Got Here

I graduated from the University of Buffalo with a degree in communications and the University of Alaska at Fairbanks with an MBA. I was entertaining two job offers at the time I chose to join Ayco. I saw Ayco as a place that would provide me with incredible job opportunities to deal with Fortune 500 companies all over the United States. I get exposure to the same fast and exciting pace I would get working in New York City, nestled in the quieter setting of Upstate New York where my family and I live.

What I Do

I work in Ayco's Financial Related Services group. FRS provides a multimedia portfolio of financial education and planning services – including seminars, telephone access to financial planners and Web-based planning tools – for corporate employees.

My role is multifaceted. We organize and coordinate the rollout of multiple, unique financial education programs. As part of that role, I serve as the primary client contact for delivery of all services contracted for by the corporate client. I design the project game plan from start to finish and get the other team members on-board with the plan. In addition to coordinating the larger efforts of the team to keep the project on task, I create training materials for our seminar presenters and slide presentations and handout materials for our client audiences.

Communication is essential. I look at every project as a giant puzzle. I start by working with the client to identify the end result. Understanding the web of interdependencies and keeping the team on the same page from beginning to end is essential.

A Typical Day

No day is typical. Every day I start with "The List" and prioritize tasks. I review what absolutely has to happen today and by what time. A critical success factor to managing it all is the ability to identify the priorities and the impact on other team members.

The day may include helping an internal team demonstrate a new Web design; meeting with the sales team to provide input on a proposal; brainstorming a new seminar program; reviewing summary plan descriptions and writing a training memo for seminar speakers; or coordinating an internal meeting to review the status of a program rollout.

On occasion I travel to client companies to participate in project implementation meetings. I may also attend a pilot seminar to look for ways to improve content before a larger rollout.

My role is very challenging. It is a lot of hard work over weeks or months to successfully roll out the final program. I am helping to create programs for people who want to learn to better manage their finances and maximize their employee benefits. It is very rewarding.

My Colleagues

Ayco is made up of dedicated individuals who take great pride in their work. Ayco associates work very hard and are rewarded by an extremely supportive management team that operates under the "I Care" philosophy. Ayco puts its associates' well-being above all other things in terms of importance and recognizes that family and life outside of Ayco come first. An air of mutual respect resonates in the buildings of Ayco.

Commitment To Clients

Building a relationship with my clients is incredibly important. Understanding their needs, their style and perspective and building that relationship of trust is essential for a project. I always try to keep the client first and foremost in my mind. I put myself in the mind of my client and try to understand their perspective. When I really step back and think about where they are coming from, it helps me tailor my style and approach and defines how I tackle a project.

Ayco is client-focused. We pride ourselves on getting to know our clients and understanding their needs. We don't provide standard solutions to unique needs – we serve unique needs by providing customized solutions. We have the best and brightest people who have the right work ethic and attitude.