Welcome to the Employee Spotlight Series! This week we are featuring Jeanette Grassmid. Jeanette is a Project Analyst and has been a part of the SpendMend team for five years! When asked why she looks forward to coming to work, she said, “I look forward to coming to work because every day is different, and I get to move around departments depending on where I am needed.” During work, Jeanette enjoys listening to crime and psychology podcasts. Her favorite crime podcast is a tie between “American Scandal” and “Crime Junkie”, and her favorite psychology podcast is “Phil in the Blanks.” The most interesting podcast she has listened to is from “American Scandal”, where they explain some of the most shocking scandal cases in history like Enron and Lance Armstrong. Jeanette recommends the case where the podcast covers “Dr. Death” – it blew her mind! A fun fact about Jeanette is that she has 18 ducks! She started owning ducks about two years ago and they live in a coop in her backyard. Jeanette loves having ducks because of their funny personalities, and they are fun to watch play in the water! The one thing that can be challenging about having ducks is all the clean-up. Jeanette states, “Ducks are very messy but very lovable.” If you want to learn more about Jeanette’s ducks and some of Jeanette’s favorite duck stories, be sure to check out the full interview below! One of Jeanette’s favorite hobbies is working on DIY projects. She mostly enjoys remodeling and crafting projects! Her favorite part about finishing projects is knowing how much hard work went into it, and enjoying the beauty! Jeanette’s current project she is working on is with her husband on a trailer. They are in the process of fixing up the siding and residing the entire trailer. If you’re interested in DIY projects and have any questions on how to get started, Jeanette is the one to ask!
Jeanette does a great job at SpendMend and is valued by her team. Dirk Lindquist, Shared Services Supervisor, said “Jeanette is trained in multiple Shared Services departments and is a huge asset to the team. She does a great job working on client emails and sending in WNC statements. She is a great teammate and provides ideas that help the whole department.” Thank you, Jeanette, for all your hard work!
Interview with Jeanette:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Project Analyst
How long have you been with SpendMend?
5 years
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
Through a temp agency
What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Flexible, fun, and close-knit
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I look forward to coming to work because every day is different, and I get to move around departments depending on where I am needed.
Where are you located/from?
I grew up in South Dakota but currently live in Hastings, Michigan.
Where did you go for higher education? What did you study and why?
I went to Davenport University. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Fraud Investigation and a Master’s in Fraud Examination. I studied these because I couldn’t really decide if I wanted to go to law school or business school. When I combined the two that is what I ended up with. It was cheaper to go to Davenport because I could get them both from there under one degree whereas my hometown college would need two degrees.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
The most unusual job I had was working on a paper delivery. I got to see a lot of different types of things, especially at the night shift that you don’t normally see in the daytime in a small town.
What is one fun fact about you?
I have 18 ducks.
When did you start owning ducks and why?
I started owning chickens about 3 years ago now and I have owned ducks for about 2 years now.
Where do you keep your ducks?
My ducks and Chickens live together in a coop out in our backyard.
The best part about having ducks?
The best part of having ducks is their personalities and watching them play in the water. They love their water and can get about 6 of them in a small kiddie pool and just get the water flying. They each have their own personality and even have spats like most siblings do. They also give healthy eggs.
Worst part?
The worst part of Ducks is the Poop, unfortunately. Ducks are very messy but very lovable.
Any fun stories can you share about your ducks?
I have two fun stories. One of my ducks was handicapped. It had a broken back and survived. We nursed it back to health and called her Mighty. She wasn’t as fast as the other ducks so at night when we have to put them in the coop I would have to go pick her up and take her there. One night I slipped on a patch of mud and was holding mighty and I was more worried about her than myself that she went flying in the air and I caught her on the way back down to the ground. She was safe but I got a few bruises. The second one is when they were still younger ducklings they didn’t always want to go to bed so they would have to chase them to get them to go to bed. Our one dog has learned how to round them up and put them to bed or we would yell at bedtime and they all go running for the coop. It is fun to see them go running. Fun Fact: Ducks love hugs when they are tame.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
I like listening to a lot of crime podcasts or psychology podcasts.
What is your favorite crime and psychology podcast?
My favorite Psychology one is Phil in the blanks. My Favorite Crime is a tie between American scandal and Crime Junkie.
Any recommendations?
I highly recommend looking up the Wondery Audio one. This Audio Company has multiple different crime podcasts. Some specialize in just one case and go in-depth and others like American Scandal where they cover just about every different type of crime: I.e. Murder, embezzlement, and sports scandals.
Why do you like these podcasts the best?
Phill in the blanks really helps to see a different side of life not only from our end but from the ends of celebrities as well. Crime Junkies mainly focus on crimes like missing persons and murders. I am not sure why but Ashley Flowers just has a way of getting you hooked on these cases. American Scandal has such a wide variety of cases that it can really be for anyone with different interests.
What is the most interesting podcast you’ve listened to?
The most interesting podcast I have listened to is American Scandal. They go over the history and cases of some of the most shocking scandals. One of them was Enron. Another was Lance Armstrong. One of the cases that Wondery has covered is Dr. Death- blew my mind.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
I spend a lot of time working on DIY projects or attending hockey games
What kind of DIY projects do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy remodeling and craft-type projects. My favorite is a simple remodel like switching out a bathroom vanity.
How did you get started?
The best way I have found to get started is viewing the area that you’re going to be redoing first, coming up with what you want to do, and doing research. If you don’t do that it could make things a lot harder than they need to be and save you a lot of money in the end. After figuring out what you’re going to do and having the supplies the next biggest thing is a demo if needed.
What is your favorite part about finishing a project?
My favorite part of finishing a project is knowing how much blood sweat and tears went into the project and enjoying the beauty of it.
What project are you currently working on?
My current project is remodeling a trailer for me and my husband to move into. We are currently working on the siding and residing the entire thing.
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
When I worked in pricing, I worked hard at building a relationship with a client, to not only get pricing claims resolved but get invoices paid that were not paid. At one point the contact I was working with asked me for a reference for his annual review with his supervisor.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
That I took the time to find information when I did not know the answer.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
Being able to make a difference for the hospitals in getting money back helps keep them from losing money.
What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?
I did help with the kid’s food baskets when we had the snack bar going back in the day. It was nice to see how much money we raised and how much that made a difference to kids that really needed the food.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
Cindy really inspires me. She not only helps push me to be better at my job but she also likes to cross-train and it helps keep the job more interesting.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Go into it being open-minded and willing to learn. With those two things, you can go far in the company.
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
I look forward to growing with the company and to continue being useful wherever I am needed.