Shared Passion to Shape Communities Together
A Day to Celebrate Our Administrative Professionals
Administrative professionals are often the first point of contact at McGill – greeting you at the door with a smile and answering your phone calls. Behind the scenes, this talented group of professionals are juggling multiple tasks on any given day and play a critical role in McGill’s success. In honor of Administrative Professionals’ Day, held on April 22, 2020, we want to pause and recognize their contributions to McGill.
When asked what they liked most about working at McGill, the administrative professional team was quick to mention the friendships and teamwork atmosphere. It is more than a job to many of them, it is family. Beyond the comradery, they collectively expressed a shared passion to shape communities together. They enjoy working with clients in their local communities and seeing projects come to fruition. In addition, they are grateful for learning opportunities extended at McGill and their ability to gain more knowledge about engineering and land planning.
A few team members shared their motivations and tips for success:
What project are you most proud of?
Danielle Ward, Office Administrator, Pinehurst
“Working with the Town of Vass and the Town of Hoffman on their CDBG projects allowed me to meet some of the most gracious and pleasant people I’ve come across in my life. From the mayors, town clerks, police officers, and residents, they were so helpful while collecting information. They invited us into their homes, to church, or their local restaurant. Seeing these CDBG projects come to fruition and knowing these people are now getting the public water and sewer they have needed for so long, is a truly rewarding and a heartfelt experience.”
How do you prioritize your work to support everyone in the office?
Emily Whisnant, Marketing / Office Coordinator, Hickory
“I have tried many different techniques, but the one that consistently works for me is a planner. Each day has its own page and is broken down by hour. I am able to utilize the daily ‘to do’ task and prioritize ‘today’s top three’ list. Most of the time, my ‘top three’ list consists of the projects that are due first, but occasionally consists of the low-hanging fruit that will take the least amount of time to complete.”
What is your greatest accomplishment since joining McGill?
Wendy Pittman, Office Administrator, Shallotte
“I am still very much in the learning phase, however, I would say my positive attitude. After starting with McGill, I faced some personal challenges. The support of the office and McGill as a company encouraged me to press forward and have a great attitude about being able to work.”
What technology do you use on a daily basis?
Sara Mayberry, Practice Area Assistant, Asheville
“I use Microsoft Teams and the entire Microsoft Office suite daily. Teams has allowed us to collaborate across offices and has made the transition to working remotely so much easier.”
What is the most important quality an administrative professional should have?
Pam Briggs, Administrative Assistant, Asheville
“An administrative assistant can be the first reflection of McGill, therefore, it is important to always project a sense of professionalism, friendliness, and resourcefulness in all communications. I would say resourcefulness is the most important – to be able to find the solutions that clients and staff are seeking. At times, that is about saying, ‘I don’t know the answer, but I do know someone who does.’”
How has your role changed over the years at McGill?
Julie Niedling, Office Administrator, Knoxville
“I joined McGill ten years ago and was hired to support a small office in Sevierville. As we have expanded, I have had many opportunities to take on new administrative tasks, as well as become more involved in projects. I now have the opportunity to work with all the great people across the company in multiple functions, including administrative, accounting, construction, engineering, and marketing. I am thankful for the growth opportunity that McGill has offered and I have enjoyed all the accomplishments along the way.”