Sunday, 12/21/25 is a special work anniversary. It is Wendy Howland’s 10-year work anniversary!
Here is what Wendy had to say about the last 10 years at APM:
Ten years ago, I walked into APM planning to temporarily fill an admin position while they searched for a permanent hire. I started the very next day, having never heard of a steam trap, with Amara wandering around the office, Tony’s voice booming through the halls as he dictated into Dragon Speech and Friday afternoon card games. My real initiation came a few weeks later at the holiday bowling party, when I remembered thinking, I think I want to stay here. A few months later, Ricardo purchased APM, and I gradually transitioned into the Accounting Department—where my background lived. Over the years, the Golden Girls of the Accounting Department lovingly dubbed our back room “Bubbles and Funk,” where we worked hard, laughed a lot, and somehow always got the job done. When the pandemic hit, I still went into the office every day. Ricardo, Diane, and I kept our distance—sometimes a solid ten feet apart—until it finally clicked: we’ve got this. We could keep things running smoothly from home, and we never missed a beat. That experience was a powerful testament to just how resilient this business is—and how incredible the people at APM truly are. During these ten years, I’ve learned so much from everyone who has come and gone through APM, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me to continue learning, growing, and evolving in my role. I’m still not really sure what an inverted bucket is…but I’m always willing to learn 😊
And here is what CEO, Ricardo Aguirre, had to say about Wendy:
Wendy joined APM just a few months before I did, and over the past ten years, we have had the opportunity to work closely together as the company has grown and evolved. From the early days through periods of significant change, she has been a constant partner in helping drive improvements, stability, and long-term growth at APM. She started as a Sales Admin, moved into Accounting as an AR specialist, then stepped into increasingly senior roles as Accounting Manager and now Controller. That progression says a lot about Wendy. She has consistently raised her hand for harder problems, taken ownership as the scope grew, and met each new challenge with hard work and care. What stands out most to me about Wendy is her dedication. She cares deeply about APM’s success and approaches her work with a level of commitment that is hard to match. Over the years, she has navigated all kinds of personal challenges, yet she always shows up day after day with focus, professionalism, and an exceptional work ethic. Much of what she does happens behind the scenes, especially during some of the more demanding times the company has faced, but her steady presence and persistence have made a meaningful difference to APM’s stability and growth. Wendy is also a deeply caring manager and colleague. The people on her team know that she has their backs, that she will make time when they need help or guidance, and that she genuinely wants them to succeed and enjoy their jobs. She brings warmth and fun to her role, even when the work is complex or stressful, and that makes her truly a pleasure to work with. Ten years in, Wendy continues to be someone APM depends on in so many important ways, and someone I personally enjoy working with. I am grateful for her dedication, her leadership, and the care she brings to the company every day. Happy 10-year anniversary, Wendy. Thank you for everything you do for APM.
Thank you, Wendy, for your continuous hard work and dedication through your time at APM.