Just like in any career field employees have hard days and rewarding days. Field managers are often in charge of handling a variety of roles and using complex problem-solving abilities. While the role of the field manager can be very demanding in some aspects, it’s one to the most highly regarded and rewarding positions in the Aspen Contracting company. This week we are covering one of our excellent field managers, Abraham Peralta. Abraham gave us his inside scoop on the success, failures, and the time one has to put in to become a great field manager.
What is your current job title and have you had any previous positions?
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My current job title is Field Manager. My previous positions have been a Production Manager and Project Consultant. As a Field Manager, I touch on everything. Being that I’m bilingual, I still handle a lot of production by consulting with the crews. A lot of the crews are Spanish-speaking so when it comes to organizing them and getting them what they need, I oversee that. As a Field Manager, whenever the reps need something, whenever they need to get on a tall roof or if they’re presented with an issue on the job site, I go out there and assess the situation. I brainstorm with crews to handle situations and have four trainees that also keep me pretty busy. I help them in the field and with back-end paperwork.”
How does being bilingual help you in your role?
“It’s major. The crews come in with 101 questions about everything from materials to communication with reps. For Spanish-speaking customers, I’ve helped others reps from different offices by calling customers to close out jobs. Being bilingual is something that I think is beneficial to production and around the office.”
How would you say that you’ve grown with each position? What’s been the most challenging role?
“I would definitely have to say production. Being in production teaches you everything from looking at work orders over and over, material knowledge, how to assess leaks and other issues. Being in production is a major schooling on everything all at once. Dealing with suppliers and massive quantities of orders and trying to keep track of everything can be tough. We have a wall with job magnets, and you have to know the story behind every single magnet. It can drive you crazy, but being production has helped me organize myself and stay on point with each step, each trade, every claim and more.”
What would you say gets you out of bed in the morning?
“I’m the kind of person that doesn’t give up on anything. I try to finish everything. My drive each morning is to reach the finish line, especially now that we’re getting closer to winter. Making money is one thing, but in the end, I don’t really look at that, because it comes with the job. Seeing something to the end and overcoming the obstacles is what matters. Every day is like chipping away at the mountain. Last year when I was a Project Consultant, I helped close out our collections. I like to call myself the Roberto Clemente. Wherever my manager needs me is where I go. I don’t really say no, and sometimes in my head, I want to cry, but I do it. Sometimes I worry about failing, but I just try as hard as I can.”
What would you say is something most coworkers don’t know about you?
“I used to be a DJ for 20 years. I’d play underground clubs in Los Angeles. Music is my thing. If it wasn’t for the music, I don’t know what I’d do. I also always worked in kitchens since I was a kid, and I’m a really good cook. I don’t like to cook, but every now and then I’ll throw down. My favorite type of food is Mexican, but I can cook any type.”
What’s something you always make time for? What keeps you centered?
“I do like to go out to DJ nights. There are a few clubs in Denver that have DJ’s I’ve admired since I was a kid. Every now and again if they happen to come into town, I’ll disappear Friday night and check them out. I don’t party; I’m all about the music.”
What advice would you give to a new Project Consultant?
“Don’t give up. Learning during the first year is the gauntlet. When I first started at Aspen, it was in Fairfax, Virginia, and there wasn’t really any damage there. I did everything that I could. Set about 25 different appointments and I got denied on about 20 of them. I wanted to quit and go home. I didn’t even have a car. When I left home, my bag was too heavy, so I had to throw away half of my clothes before I even arrived to work. I had $300 in my pocket, half a suitcase of clothes, and no car. I was down and out with nowhere to go but up.
My manager Mike told me to just stick it out. We stuck it out and the next location we went to was Las Cruces, New Mexico, a predominantly Mexican market. I remember being on one roof and the neighbor lady said, “Mijo, when you’re done looking at her roof, can you look at mine?” Then, I got on another roof and another lady came out and asked me to look at her roof. From there, it was like boom, boom, boom. I did really well in Las Cruces, and was like, you know what? I can do this.”
If you would like to learn more about how to get started in an Aspen Contracting career please visit, Careers for more information.
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