So this past week has been spent getting settled into our new space in Moorefield Park and we are absolutely loving it! Most employees would agree the size of the new office is a perfect fit for IFMG. Rather than being holed up in cubicles all day, we share an enormous open space where we are able to interact with the various departments within the company.  Enjoy the before and after pics below.

 The spotlights keep coming! Up next in our Employee Spotlight Series we have Brian Guillena. Originally from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada Mr. Guillena, tired of the snow in May, dark winters and average year round temperature of 32F, decided to come to the USA in 1997. Upon arriving Brian spent the first 6 months studying American dialects while working the Pacific rim on a DoD contract for 3 years.  

 How long have you been with the company?
Feels like 50, but 5 years. 

What is your role at IFMG?
Great question…  The title reads Director of IT/OPS(Chief Cook and Bottle Washer) and being the Gadfly or Devil’s advocate. 

 What does your role entail?
Find ways to make good on promises made to customers and consumers, whether it’s the expectation of delivery, availability or reliability.  As Gadfly, I asking uncomfortable questions like…  What happens if ___?  What do we do when ____?  Sometimes painful tasks like holding up a mirror. 

 What do you enjoy most about your role?
Knowing that I CAN make a difference.  I can help improve things or own them when they go wrong.  Most of my day is spent solving problems.  Sometimes the puzzles are mathematical, sometimes organizational and sometimes, my favorite psychological. 

 Are you currently working on a new project and if so what is it?
Project MIL – More Is Less.  More leads, Less obstructions.  More revenue less cost.  More capabilities, less infrastructure and process. 

 What do you do for fun?
Food, wine, friends, cooking, garden, tinkering.     

What is something that no one would ever know about you?
 All is known… 

Brian has lived in Richmond VA since 2000.

Today we spotlight Amy Taggart! Amy, who has been with the company for almost 6 months, has helped shape and define our marketing initiatives in that short period of time. We welcome Amy and introduce her to you.

How long have you been with the company?
Since March 2010.

What is your role at IFMG?
Marketing Manager – I lead our dealer-focused marketing efforts.

What does your role entail?
Working with Sales, Ops, and the rest of our Marketing team to develop and execute marketing programs that target dealers around the country and persuade them to join the Carloan.com dealer network.

What do you enjoy most about your role?
It draws on all aspects of marketing, and every day is something new. If it has anything to do with reaching out to our dealer customers and prospects, it’s on my plate.

Are you currently working on a new project and if so what is it?
Latest and greatest is a push to gain market share in the independent segment of the US auto dealer universe. We’ve got some exciting activities rolling for that. I’m also involved with the rest of the management team in Operation Move-Out, including posting some of the NASCAR-related goodies from our Robby Gordon sponsorship on eBay to beef up the budget for our housewarming party. We’re also really excited about getting rid of our old cubicles – they’re going to a good cause, the Patrick Henry Charter School here in Richmond. Outside of work, I just bought and moved into my first house with my family. Too many projects there to list!

What do you do for fun?
Introduce my son to fun things to do in Richmond, like the Children’s Museum, Bryan Park, and Maymont. After he’s in bed, my husband and I work on cycling through our ever-growing collection of 300+ DVD/Blu-ray Discs. I also love reading, especially books that force you to stay up way too late to see how they turn out. And it seems like there is always something interesting to watch on ESPN, HGTV or the Food Network. Out in California I used to play soccer every Sunday during the spring and fall, a carryover from my childhood here. I got out of the habit once my son was born and haven’t found a team here in Richmond yet.

What is something that no one would ever know about you?
I have played hockey on the ice in the San Jose Sharks’ home arena, now called the HP Pavilion. After watching the Sharks for a couple of seasons (see below), I took a series of classes from the local adult hockey league to learn how to play. At the end of the session, we got to play on the ice after a Sharks home game.  I then got through one season after the class but decided that paying for the MBA should take priority over the pricey ice fees and equipment so I stopped playing. Still can’t skate backwards very well – I played left wing.

Amy grew up in Richmond and went to William and Mary. Starting in 1994, she spent 13.5 years working in Silicon Valley, and moved back to VA in 2008 with her family.  While in California she worked for various technology companies, completed an MBA at Santa Clara University, and developed a penchant for ice hockey thanks to five years of season tickets for the San Jose Sharks…long before they were even close to making a run at the Stanley Cup.