Staff Feature: Ashley Thompson, Project Manager

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ashley, who is our Project Manager at SER. Take a look at her interview below!

How did you get involved with SER?  

“I knew Dave through my dad. They both worked at ISU. When I was working in ministry full time a few of my colleagues wives were working for Dave and they said ‘Hey if you ever leave ministry or get married you should reach out to Dave.’ So, when I did get married I moved up to the suburb area and after a year and a half I texted Dave and just said ‘hey if you ever need anyone I would love to work for you.’ He told me at the time he had just hired some people but then two weeks later he called me and said he had an opportunity for me.

What is your current role, and what are your main responsibilities?

“I am Project Manager which essentially means I delegate tasks, manage our team’s work flow, externally I am the main point of contact and direct our clients to the people who can answer their questions.”

How has your role evolved since you started here and what has been the most exciting part of that evolution?

“I started off doing property tax analysis and report writing. And then I would also work with gathering county level data. I ended up doing multiple things. Then I stepped into a county level data lead and was managing that team. Soon after I stepped into the project manager role. It was a very rapid movement from job to job and I am so grateful. I love the willingness this company has to invest in the employees growth and development. They are so willing to work with you and train you. I also think in this specific role I enjoy moving into big picture, big scope type of work. Seeing things from a 10,000 foot view is fun for me. I have an opportunity to be creative and implement change.”

What do you enjoy most about working with this team?

“I think it is really cool cause there is a challenge in that we are all remote. However, I think for a company being remote, the comfort that everyone has with each other is awesome. It’s a place with high standards and integrity. We like working with each other as a team even though we are remote. Working with the team doesn’t feel like a to do list, it feels like a joy.”

Outside of work, what are you passionate about or what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

“ I love a good thrift store. I am a sucker. A friend of mine said ‘the stuff at target and hobby lobby is really cute but there is something to getting artwork that is more unique and more standalone.’ Ever since then I have been getting rid of a lot of the big box store pieces out of our home and replacing it with things that have a story and I really do just love house decorating. I am always scheming about the next house project or thrift find.”

What are you most excited about in the future of your role or the company as a whole?

“I am excited to see our company expand. I think it’s two fold. Just seeing the state map is cool. Seeing more of the states we are getting to serve and help. I think I am also excited for the company to scale. It feels like we’ve been on this ledge where we aren’t large but we aren’t small anymore. To have the opportunity to have more established teams and bring in experts is really cool.

What are you most proud of accomplishing in your role so far?

“I am most proud of getting to be in a leadership position where I can be clear and honest while also being able to help the day to day operation of our team. I am most proud that I can continue to foster the workplace culture that was already set.”

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?

“I think I surprise myself with how spontaneous I am. Normally I like to be in the know but if I don’t have room to be spontaneous I would feel like a caged animal. I think people would be surprised to see how spontaneous I can be.”