Location: Ballston Spa, NY
Position: Controller • Curtis Lumber Co, Inc.
How did you begin your career in the LBM Industry?
I began my career as a part-time employee at Curtis Lumber, spending the summer after my junior year of college working in our Loss Control department. While I did not have any experience with building materials at the time, I grew up around people who did (my grandfather was a contractor, and he and my father built the home I grew up in), and I quickly developed a connection with the culture here and an interest in the field. While pursuing a master’s degree in accounting, I felt a strong desire to return and build that interest into a career. I began working as an analyst in various departments, from accounts payable to dispatch, and my role grew as my knowledge deepened.
What are some of the responsibilities of your position?
I am responsible for ensuring that the departments of our finance team are in compliance with internal controls and that our company is in compliance with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements. Some day-to-day things include reviewing sales tax issues, ensuring accurate receiving of inventory, and general management of our finance operations. I also travel to our 23 locations across New York and Vermont, where I work with our branch managers, administrative assistants, and yard teams on inventory organization and accuracy.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your career?
I often find the biggest challenge is delegation and developing the trust to do so. As I’ve grown into a management role, I’ve had to place more trust in my peers, as well as functional experts within our company. Leadership also brings another challenge in staying informed and accurate in an industry that is constantly changing. As a member of the North American Young Lumber Employees (NYLE) board, I’ve been able to learn so much more about the LBM industry than I could from a traditional accounting background. This has helped me to acknowledge that I am always learning and be unafraid to live in that space and ask questions whenever possible.
What have you learned since working in the industry?
Primarily as a result of working closely with our operations teams, speaking with contractors, and making an effort to connect with others in the industry, I have gone from knowing next to nothing about the LBM world to knowing a whole lot more than I ever thought I would. I’ve grown significantly more comfortable with speaking to and understanding this industry through an accounting lens.
What advice would you give to anyone new to the industry?
Rather than being intimidated by the volume of information required to understand our industry and our customers’ expectations, you should welcome it with a smile. Success requires creativity, passion, and trust, as these are the building blocks of the communities created from our industry. Never be afraid to ask questions, and always be willing to learn more. From my experience, our industry is filled with welcoming, friendly people who will help you get to where you want to be.
What are your passions outside of the office?
I am a massive Minnesota Vikings fan and find myself spending a lot more time than I’d care to admit reading football analytics and statistics. I like to pursue personal projects to enhance my building knowledge wherever possible. I recently designed a custom shed for my yard and am working on building a bar in my house (where I’m discovering that I am undeniably inexperienced as a handyman).
Do you have an employee or co-worker under the age of 40 who is actively and proudly working in the LBM Industry? If so, we want to know! Please submit your nominee here and they may be featured in an issue of the Lumber Co-operator!
