For this Employee Spotlight edition, we are featuring Tracy Keller. Tracy is an Audit Supervisor and has been a part of the SpendMend team for 23 years! When asked why she looks forward to coming to work every day, she stated, “I enjoy the challenge of trying to help our clients identify the cause of financial leakage within their organization while positively affecting their bottom line.” Tracy is from Houghton Lake, MI. She studied Accounting at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI, and Computer Networking at Baker College in Cadillac, MI. During work, Tracy enjoys listening to Christian music. She first started getting into Christian music when she led praise and worship at church; Tracy states, “We had a couple who came in and joined me in praise and worship, and they did the more modern songs. Now it’s pretty much all I listen to!” Her favorite artist is Lauren Daigle, and her favorite song is Weary Traveler by Joseph St Cyr. If you have any Christian song recommendations, send them Tracy’s way! A fun fact about Tracy is that she likes playing games, especially when she wins! Her all-time favorite game is Hate Your Neighbor, and she learned it years ago at a church camp. She mostly enjoys playing the game with the kids at her church because it’s easy to teach and so much fun! When asked what kind of “house rules” she likes to play by, she said, “When someone is eliminated from the game – we all sing “na na na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye…” Another fun fact is that in her free time, Tracy likes to crotchet and attends craft shows with her mom and niece! Tracy learned to crochet from her mom when she was eight. It’s a family tradition to learn and has been passed down from her grandma. Tracy likes to crotchet doilies, angels, baby blankets, and sweaters. The more challenging the pieces and patterns are, the more she likes it! Tracy mainly attends the craft shows in Roscommon, MI, before Christmas. If you’re interested in crafts, check it out.
Tracy is a dedicated Audit Supervisor. We asked Laura Nagy, Audit Manager, about Tracy, and she said, “Tracy is one of the hardest worker I know and is very dedicated in everything she does for SpendMend. Her years of experience make her one of the most thorough supervisors when it comes to audit review.” Thank you, Tracy! We are lucky to have you on the SpendMend team!
Interview with Tracy:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Audit Supervisor
How long have you been with SpendMend?
23 years
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
Online web search.
What three words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Inquisitive, conscientious, analytical.
Where are you located/from?
Houghton Lake, MI
Where did you go for higher education?
Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI, and Baker College in Cadillac, MI.
What did you study and why?
Accounting at NMU – Because numbers make more sense than people. At Baker, I studied Computer Networking – Because I thought it would be interesting.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I enjoy the challenge of trying to help our clients identify the cause of financial leakage within their organization while positively affecting their bottom line.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Bank Auditor
What is one fun fact about you?
I enjoy playing (and winning) games – especially Hate Your Neighbor.
When did you start playing “Hate Your Neighbor?”?
Years ago, probably at church camp.
Who do you enjoy playing with?
With the kids at church, it is easy to teach them and a lot of fun.
Are there any “house rules” or unique twists you like to add to the game?
When someone is eliminated from the game – we all sing “na na na na na na, hey hey hey, goodbye….”
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
Christian music
Who are your favorite Christian music artists or bands?
Probably Lauren Daigle.
Do you have a favorite song or album that holds special meaning for you?
Weary Traveler by Joseph St Cyr – has just helped me through some difficult times.
How did you first get into Christian music?
I started leading praise and worship at church, and then we had a couple who came in and joined me in praise and worship, and they sang the more modern songs. Now, it’s pretty much all I listen to.
Was there a specific song or artist that inspired you?
No, I just like them all. It’s good for the spirit.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
I am active in church, especially with the youth and the church camp. I also crochet and attend craft shows with my mom and niece.
How did you first get into crocheting?
My mom taught me when I was eight.
Was it something your mom or niece inspired you to try?
My mom taught me, and her mom taught her. It’s become a family tradition.
What’s the most challenging piece you’ve ever crocheted, and why?
I have one doily that I am working on, and just one round takes the whole page in the pattern book. The more challenging it is, the more I will probably like it.
What kinds of items do you crochet?
Mostly doilies or angels at Christmas time. I do baby blankets and baby sweaters as needed, but those are usually not complex enough to hold my interest for too long.
Are there any specific craft shows you love attending?
Mainly, I attend one in Roscommon, MI, before Christmas, but I have been branching out more and doing more shows with my mom and niece.
Who do you interact with?
Clients and suppliers.
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
It is not uncommon for me to help check the status of outstanding invoices for a client’s suppliers, and I will then request copies of anything that is not within the system yet so that I can help them out. My work priority may be to my clients, but assisting with supplier questions that I am able to answer helps everyone.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
That I am fairly easy to work with.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
The healthcare market is constantly changing and in multiple ways. I like knowing that what we do at SpendMend helps our clients make informed decisions regarding changing policies/procedures to reflect new practices.
What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?
I live a couple of hours from the office and, at one point, was quite active with Big Brothers and Big Sisters in my neighborhood. SpendMend participated in some of the events that we had for BBBS. I really appreciated that they were willing to help in the area where I live as well as where the corporate office is located.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
I have worked with many people at SpendMend who have helped me over the years, and I couldn’t name just one.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Be inquisitive, thorough, and willing to change, as this job has changed quite a bit since I started 23 years ago.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
Just seeing the company grow and hitting their financial goals. I like seeing the company do well and know that I helped with that.
What is something you’re looking forward to in the future at SpendMend?
I am looking to see what new changes are going to happen at SpendMend and how it will impact the lives of our clients.