United. For Teresa's 40th Anniversary!

Q&A with Teresa East: Forty Years of Growth, Change, and Perspective

Q: You have been with the company for forty years. How did you get your start and what made you stay?
A: I came from a job that left me in tears every day, so I went through an employment agency and interviewed for the role. The person I interviewed with believed in me and pushed for me to be hired even though the general manager questioned whether a young single mother could manage the workload. I stayed because I enjoyed the work and always felt supported. Back then, people tended to stay with a company for the long haul. Loyalty looked different back then; you didn’t see the level of job-hopping that is common now.

Q: What roles have you held over the years?
A: I started in Accounts Receivable. When Daisy left, I stepped into her position and took on Accounts Payable, Collections, Payroll, HR, and everything that kept the office running. It was a lot, but that was normal back then, one person wore many hats.

Q: How has the industry changed since you started?
A: The biggest shift has been the move from family-owned operations to corporate ownership. Many of the smaller operators have disappeared. Workloads have multiplied and tasks that one person used to do now require several people. I like staying busy and it makes the day go by faster, but there is definitely more on everyone’s plate than there used to be. The job market also moves faster now, and companies have to work harder to retain good employees.

Q: What has your experience been like transitioning to SAP?
A: The rollout felt rushed. Even with the prep meetings, I did not feel fully ready. There were issues we did not expect, and I learned a lot after the go live date. My advice to the next branches is to look closely at every billing detail before you finalize anything. If the “bill to” is wrong, you will redo a lot of work.

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting out in this industry?
A: Give it your best effort and stick with it. There is steady work here and a community that keeps people connected. If you commit to learning and growing, the industry will take care of you for a long time.

"It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Teresa. She’s always taken the time to help me grow in this industry, and we’ve had a lot of fun along the way. With 40 years of service, it’s safe to say she knows what she’s doing! I’m truly grateful to have her on my team.”

-Adam Sanders, Area Business Operations Manager

“I want to express my appreciation for Teresa. She has always been patient and was a tremendous help when I started my management career. Her knowledge is invaluable, and she is always willing to mentor and teach. It’s a pleasure working with her, and I look forward to continuing to do so.” 

-Billy Blackwell, Installation Manager