Happy Friday! For this week’s Employee Spotlight, we would like to feature Carla Roark! Carla is a Statement Acquisition Specialist and joined the SpendMend team five years ago. When asked to describe SpendMend in three words, Carla stated, “Flexible, Nurturing, and Motivating.” A fun fact about Carla is that she enjoys listening to smooth jazz during her workday. At 14 years, she started listening to jazz music because of her mom and aunt! Carla has always found herself liking instrumental songs without singing, she states, “it sounds better with just the beats!” Some of the songs Carla has on her playlists are Love Will Find a Way by Lionel Richie, Alternate Thursday by Platonic, and Love Will Find a Way by George Howard. Be sure to check out the rest of the interview below to get Carla’s full smooth jazz playlist! Outside of work, Carla enjoys spending her time at her church. She loves to participate in their fundraising and community events such as their special events for kids, and the candy and dinner fundraisers. Carla volunteers by greeting, meeting and ushering for church. She participates in praise and worship through singing and bible study. Carla loves to be involved in her church and be a blessing to those around her. Another fun fact about Carla is that one of her favorite hobbies is working out! Carla started working out when she was around 12 years old. Her favorite workout activities are on the treadmill. She enjoys jogging and taking long walks, and she always reaches her goal! Her favorite part about working out is pushing herself to reach a goal and doing more reps than anticipated! The most challenging workout for Carla is plank exercises, it is an isometric exercise from head to toe. However, she loves to challenge and motivate herself to do the extra reps. If you are interested in starting a workout routine, Carla is the one to ask!
Carla does an outstanding job as a Statement Acquisition Specialist and is appreciated by her co-workers. Rebekah Dykema, Statement Administrator, said, “Carla is a joy to work with!! She is always willing to help out where needed. She is a great asset to the Statement Caller team. She has been very beneficial in helping train the statement callers. I don’t know where we would be without her help in training the statement callers. She always has a smile on her face—and is very approachable. I know when I go to her for her help I can rely on her. I just can’t say enough good things about her!!!” Thank you, Carla! We are so thankful to have people like Carla a part of the SpendMend Team!
Interview with Carla:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Statement Acquisition Specialist – Calling different vendors to receive statements of the accounts.
How long have you been with SpendMend?
I’ve been at SpendMend for 5 years
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
I learned about SpendMend in 2017
What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Flexible Nurturing, Motivating
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I really like the atmosphere here but when the Pandemic hit there were a lot of changes. It’s like everyone is connected . Everyone works as a team, great environment. Very progressive here and have great leadership as well. It is a family-friendly culture and the trust they place in employees. Everyone works together to get the problem solved.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
never had an unusual job
What is one fun fact about you?
I like to explore new challenges and passions. I like to dream a lot
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
Like to listen to smooth jazz relaxed music that gets me through the day.
When did I start liking Jazz music?
When I was about 14 years old my mother and my Aunt always listened to smooth jazz music as well. Always liked the instrumental songs with no singing just sounds better with just the beats.
If we could look at your smooth Jazz playlist, what are your favorite songs?
My playlist smooth Jazz music
1.Lionel Richie- Love will find a way
- Platonic-Alternate Thursday
- George Howard- Love will find a way
- United Guitar Players-Smooth Jazz is as Smooth Jazz Does
- United Guitar Players-Cool Me Once Cool Me Twice
- 6.United Guitar Players-Deluxe Edition
- United Guitar Players-I’m Feeling It
- Sade-No Ordinary Love
- Sade-Sweetest Taboo
- Alex Bugnon-Love Season
- Kenny G.-Silhouette
- Marion Meadows-Wishing On A Star
- Najee-Day By Day
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
Yes, I like to workout and go to Church. I like to challenge myself. Like to help people..
What is your favorite workout activity?
My favorite workout activity is the treadmill. I always reach my goal. I like to jog and take long walks..
When did you start working out?
Started working out when I was a teenager around 12 years old
What is the most fun part about working out for you?
I would say just pushing myself to reach my goal doing more reps than I Anticipated. I always challenge myself to do more – Very motivating.
What is the most challenging?
The most challenging is when I’m trying to do Plank Exercise my body tells me to quit. But I do push myself to do the extra reps. It is an isometric exercise from head to toe. Very challenging to say the least.
Can you tell me more about your involvement with your church and helping people? What types of activities do you like to do at church?
Just participate in the events that they have done: a lot of fundraising in the community like having special events for the kids, candy fundraisers, sell dinners to raise money. Very involved in the Church do a little Ushering as well greet and meet people coming in and out of the Church. Church outings Community Service, feeding the homeless. Participate in the Sporting events that we have for the Kids and Food or Toy drives too. Praise and worship like to sing and go to Bible study as well. Like to be involved in the Church should be more involved and be a blessing to someone else.
Do you interact with
Clients and Potential Clients
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
Well yes when a vendor explained the situation and said that I was very helpful in that way. She got the answer that she needed and was very pleased with the results.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
Says that I was very helpful and pleasant to speak with.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
That I could be helpful to whatever the supplier needs.
What is your favorite Recovery Room Activity?
Air Hockey
What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?
I’ve participated in the BBrave 5k run or walk event for the American Cancer Society . I had a really nice time. It’s great that money is raised for this cause.
What is your favorite in house event? (specific potluck, chili cook-off, bring your kid to work day, etc.)
The chili cook off. Get to taste test all the chili’s . I look forward to this event every year.
Do you want to shout out to a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
Becky Dykema always helped me and inspires me. Love her to death!!
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Check values, be resilient and Listen more than you talk
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
My productivity has really grown over the years..
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
To be promoted within the company. Want to be cross trained so if needed in another department I can do the task at hand.