Today is a special work anniversary. It is Diane Keefe’s 10-year work anniversary!
Here is what Diane had to say about her time at APM:
When I started at APM as a Sales Administrator, I think there were about 18-20 employees back then and we really only focused on New York and the New England states. We ran out of a much smaller facility at a different location, there was a different owner back then, we ran the business with different software packages than we operate with today, no laptops, all desktops and we really only focused on steam trap surveys/repairs and compressed air surveys. Hex cleanings were offered, but they weren’t really a big item back then. A lot has changed over the years. Today we have many more employees, I have seen many hires come and go for various reasons. We have a beautiful, big facility we operate out of, a different owner, modern, quicker software to operate with, laptops for everyone and the product line has expanded. Back then we had a President, a Sales Dept, an Accounting Dept, which also doubled as a Human Resources Dept. a 1 man inventory/shipping dept, and a small Field Team which back then and to this day is run by Eric Honan which is probably one of the few things that hasn’t changed. Today we have an IT Dept inhouse, we don’t have to rely on a co-worker that may or may not know how to fix your problem or call out to an off- site company who really seemed like they didn’t know what they were doing anyways. We now also have a Human Resource Dept, a Culture & Team Engagement Manager, a Biz Opps Dept, Corporate Development, a Logistic team, a Director of Operations and If I missed any’s dept, I apologize. It is hard to keep up as we grow. We have expanded our services outside of the New England states which allowed for new hires in other states and more business. We survived covid while sadly other small businesses did not make it. Covid itself brought along its own changes to the company. Today, most of the office personnel work from home now which is a big change for the company since I started. So much more has changed over my years here process wise, but I don’t need to get into that, the basics give the big picture.Something I will always remember and I still chuckle at it today if I think about it is – When I first started, Tony the former owner would “type” his emails by talking into his computer and a program would type out the email for him. When he was typing an email to me, I could hear the email before I even got it because the office was so small. So I would hear him preparing it, then he would send it to me and I would open in to “read” it and then my phone would ring EVERY time and he would then explain to me what was in the email. I basically received the email 3 times, every time. Each time that I would hear him say: Diane comma new line, new line, I knew I was getting an email… Only the OG’s will appreciate that I’m afraid. 😂7 ½ years as a Sales Administrator and now 2 ½ years with the Accounting team. Time flies for sure. I’m going to buckle up and stay on this ride as long as Ricardo allows me to. Looking forward to being a part of the continued success here at APM.
Here is what Accounting Manager, Wendy Howland, had to say about Diane:
In my early days at APM, Diane and I worked side by side in Sales Support. She taught me everything there was to know in that position (space-dash-space), and there was a lot to know! She was often the first to arrive in the mornings and one of the last to leave, lugging a stack of reports and Bella’s dog bed in her arms. Years later we continue to work side by side in the Accounting Department. I was thrilled that she made the transition to the Accounting team. Diane’s knowledge of the front office has been a great asset to her working in the back office. Her established relationships with many of our customers, utility contacts and knowledge of the utility incentive programs was a huge benefit. Diane takes pride and works tirelessly to achieve accuracy in everything she does. She truly cares about the success of APM.Personally Diane and I have recently shared many life events concurrently, from our daughters getting married in the same month to becoming grandmothers just a few months apart. Sharing those experiences together has been a lot of fun!Congratulations Diane on 10 years at APM!
And here is what CEO, Ricardo Aguirre had to say about Diane and her time at APM:
Diane is one of the few people who were at APM before I came here. I met her for the first time at a company bowling party back in January 2016. I told her I was a terrible bowler yet won the lane with 3 consecutive strikes (has never happened again!). She gave me the look of “you’re so full of it”, but quickly looked past my initial sketchiness to become someone I have come to rely on over and over throughout the years. When I first took over as CEO and drove everyone crazy with our Salesforce implementation, Diane was ready to learn and saw what the system could be. When our GM left and I became her direct supervisor, she showed me the ropes around our sales processes and utility incentives. When the pandemic started and only a handful of people were in the office, she was one of the few faces I saw most days and a source of encouragement. I could go on and on with examples like this. Any time there has been a need at APM, she has always been quick to selflessly lend a hand. I feel lucky to have someone like Diane on our side and hope to continue working with her for many years to come.
Thank you, Diane, for your continuous hard work and dedication through your time at APM.
