Welcome to the Employee Spotlight series! For this edition, we are highlighting Bret Beaudry. Bret is an Auditor and joined the SpendMend team about a year ago. When asked what three words he would use to describe SpendMend, he stated, “Engaging, considerate, and challenging.” As an Auditor, Bret enjoys the everyday challenges, learning something new daily, and building relationships with vendors. He states, “Any way to connect with them—whether through light humor or sincerity has always proven helpful.” He has found that when he communicates with this approach, it is reinforced with warmth and working together to benefit both parties! Be sure to read the full interview below to learn more. Bret is from Fenton, Michigan, and attended the University of Michigan, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. He chose this degree because the coursework was multidisciplinary, and he gained many skills beyond acting. He couldn’t imagine a life without theater and is grateful to act professionally to this day! Bret has been acting for about 31 years and recently won the 2024 Michigan Wild Award for Best Actor in a Drama. His favorite play is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street because of its dark themes. He explains, “Sweeney Todd is shocking, bloody, grotesque, funny, tragic; it feels like it breaks barriers for what musicals can be.” The most memorable show he has been in was a two-man production of Robin Hood. It was the most demanding show he’s ever been involved in physically and emotionally! He juggled playing 15 characters, fighting with broadswords, narrating, etc. If you are a theater lover, hit up Bret with your favorite shows! Another fun fact about Bret is that he has 12-year-old twins! His daughter, Pressley, and son, Grayson, are a light in his life, and he believes that being their dad has made him a better person! Pressley is intelligent, proud, empathic, and creative, and Grayson is sweet and silly. The biggest challenges that Bret has had to navigate are his children’s medical problems, but he has banded together with his wife and family, making them stronger! He has expressed that the biggest lesson he has learned is “that how you react to a given situation is a choice, and once you understand that, you will be unflappable.”
Bret is a valuable member of the SpendMend team. We asked Nathan Nofs, Audit Supervisor, about Bret, and he said, “It has been a pleasure to get to know Bret and watch him grow into a solid Auditor, considering he didn’t have any accounting or auditing experience. Bret is determined to write claims, which leads him to resolve issues quickly and effectively. Bret is also very personable, and I think this helps him secure the answers needed when talking with vendors. Teal Pod is very happy to have him as a member!” Thank you for all that you do, Bret!
Interview with Bret:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Auditor
How long have you been with SpendMend?
One year
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
My sister, Kylee Ayar (Savage).
What three words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Engaging, considerate, challenging
Where are you located/from?
I live in Fenton, Michigan
Where did you go for higher education?
I attended the University of Michigan, earning a Bachelor in Fine Arts.
What did you study and why?
That degree is very multi-faceted. I learned more skills than I could quickly explain. But it made me adept in so many areas beyond just performing: computers, design, woodshop, programming, working collaboratively, problem-solving, team leadership, etc. I pursued the degree because I could never imagine my life without theater or acting. Fortunately, I still work professionally in that field to this day!
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I love to learn new things, and I find myself learning something new every single day.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I have acted professionally for years prior to working at SpendMend and continue to do so to date. My most unusual job was working on the Rocky Horror Show. If you know, you know.
What is one fun fact about you?
Apart from acting, I am the proud Dad to my 12-year-old twins.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a dad to twins?
Being a dad to my twins is absolutely exhausting. However, the reward is that they have made me a better human being.
If you could describe your twins in three words each, what would they be?
My daughter, Pressley, is an extremely intelligent, proud, empathic, creative force. She is also a brilliant artist. She has fought through very difficult medical problems like a warrior. My son, Grayson, is on the autism spectrum, with epilepsy and nonverbal. He is the sweetest, silliest goofball on the planet. 12 years ago if someone had asked me if I was the right person to parent a child with Grayson’s specific needs—I would have said no. I now believe my wife and I are the best people to care for a child like Grayson. And while there have been times of difficulty, my wife and I are stronger because of him.
What’s something your twins have taught you about life or yourself?
Parenting with the challenges we have faced can be stressful. It can often cause anger, frustration, etc. The biggest lesson I have learned is how you react to any given situation is a CHOICE. Once you understand that, you will be unflappable.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
I love comedy podcasts like “How Did This Get Made” or news shows. But when I’m working, I generally keep it quiet, so I don’t lose focus.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
Theatre, going to the movies, playing video games, hanging out with my
Family.
How did you first get interested in theater? Was it something you discovered as a child or later in life?
I always gravitated towards storytelling and putting on silly voices. I was obsessed with performances in movies growing up, but I never understood that it was something I could DO. I never really engaged in extracurricular activities or sports, but then my grandma became active in a community theatre and had me audition. I got a lead, and the rest is history! Now, I have been acting for 31 years and just recently won the 2024 Michigan Wilde Award for Best Actor in a Drama.
Do you have a favorite play or musical? What draws you to it?
My favorite play is Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, though I have never done it. I’ve always loved movies/ plays with dark themes. Sweeney Todd is shocking, bloody, grotesque, funny, and tragic; it feels like it breaks barriers for what musicals can be.
What was the most memorable theater production you’ve been a part of, and why?
The most memorable production that I have been in was a two-man production of Robin Hood. I played 15 characters—and was required to fight with real broadswords, scale ladders, put scenery together, and narrate simultaneously. It might be the most physically demanding show I have ever done!
What’s your dream role or production to be part of, and why?
I have so many dream roles. My top three are Sweeney Todd, Freddy Benson in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and R.P. McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Who do you interact with?
Vendors
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
I had a small business vendor who did not understand why I was reaching out for information. He was quite aggravated with me. I remained as professional as possible and leveled with him. “I am new to this job and still learning. This is the best way to explain what I am looking for. Here are the details again. etc.” He immediately calmed down and worked with me to solve the problem. It was a perfect example of how being clear, honest, and human can be a fantastic way to communicate with people.
What steps did you take to remain professional and composed when the vendor was initially aggravated?
Truthfully, I oftentimes find that taking the pretense out of my voice and speaking plainly is the most effective course of action. Vendors are just people doing a job. Any way to connect with them—whether through light humor or sincerity has always proven helpful.
Was there any feedback from the vendor after the interaction that reinforced the value of your approach?
I have had vendors thank me for taking the time to contact them on an account that needed attention. I have also had vendors who started the conversation very scripted and stiff and seemed leery to help, but by the end, they were very warm and appreciative.
What did you learn from this experience that you’ve incorporated into your communication style moving forward?
These vendor interactions have reinforced my belief that warmth and forming connections will always be more impactful than simply being “professional.”
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or vendor?
I have been thanked by vendors for attending to matters that hadn’t been in a long time. They were relieved to have someone reach out for a resolution.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
The healthcare industry is very complex. If we can do anything to help hospitals in order to run more efficiently, I believe it is a very positive thing.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
Sara Holland, Nathan Nofs, Carolina Tapia, and Nereida Mezini have all been a tremendous help in learning how to navigate the wonderful and perplexing world of auditing. I am so grateful to each of them!
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Depending on prior experience, the learning curve is steep. But stay patient and open yourself up to taking it all in, little by little.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
I was extremely proud to know my supervisor thought I was a strong Auditor.
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
I am looking to strengthen my skills in whatever direction that takes me, I am open to anything!