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EMPLOYEE INTERVIEWS
CARMA - Corporate Recruiter
IRA - Senior Server Engineer
MORENA - EUS Technician
HILARY - Documentary
Productions Manager
JOSH - Marketing Manager
DION - Manager, Communication
Operations
PEARL- Community Relations Manager
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CARMA
Title: Corporate Recruiter
Department: Human Resources
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Carma came to Seattle from Denver by way of Phoenix. Prior to joining Vulcan in 2002, she worked
for U S WEST (now Qwest) as a recruiter, and was promoted to manage its Denver employment office.
After leaving Qwest in 2000, she began working for Verizon Wireless. In addition to her BS degree, she is
SPHR-certified, which confirms that she has a broad area of training and experience and has mastered
the HR body of knowledge. Carma is interested in international travel, having recently visited Buenos
Aires and planning a trip to Barcelona. She lives on the Sammamish Plateau.
What is your favorite benefit or perk here?
One of the best benefits here is the orthodontia allowance. Most companies allow a lifetime maximum per
family member, e.g. $2,000. Vulcan's orthodontia benefit pays up to $1,500 per year. I had a child in
braces for almost five years...do the math. With employee health benefits costs on the rise, Vulcan has
maintained its competitiveness in this area. I also appreciate the time off between December 25 and January 1.
The entire company is closed and these days off give me an extra week of vacation each year.
How has your role or career evolved since you've joined Vulcan?
People often view HR as someone at the end of a phone line that you call when you have a question about your
benefits or want to fire someone. That is not the case at Vulcan. I am actually a valued partner. I feel as
if I have my own small HR consulting business within Vulcan. I am considered a team member of each department
that I support. Because Vulcan is such a diverse company, I have learned more in my years here than in my
entire HR career. Whenever I attend external workshops and seminars, my knowledge and experience is heads above
most of the attendees.
How does your position influence or impact the company's objectives?
Vulcan's success depends on finding and retaining talented people. I uphold and support our Vulcan values by
fostering a positive work environment where employees are treated respectfully and fairly. Since I enjoy teaching
others, it is rewarding to facilitate formal training sessions and informally influence others with my words and
actions.
What is one of the most memorable projects you've worked on?
There have been several. I enjoyed co-leading a program to assist in integrating newly hired employees into the
workplace more smoothly. Activities involved researching gaps in the existing process, brainstorming with team
members on solutions, testing the solutions with hiring managers and implementation. Vulcan's collaborative
environment has allowed me to work on projects that exposed me to different industries, e.g., aviation, real estate,
construction, and technology. This knowledge makes me a more versatile HR professional.
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IRA
Title: Senior Server Engineer
Department: Server Operations
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Ira is originally from Chico, Calif., but has lived in Washington State since 1991, so that practically makes
him a native. Before moving to Washington, he worked in a variety of computer-related positions in Oregon, Massachusetts,
and California. Ira's work in Washington included eight years with the Boeing Company, five of which were spent in
Richland, Washington, on the infamous Hanford cleanup project. Ira joined Vulcan in late 1999, just in time for
the millennium non-event. Vulcan occupied two floors of a building in downtown Bellevue in those days.
Since then, Vulcan has more than tripled in size, built a new football and soccer stadium, opened the Experience
Music Project museum, and moved into a remarkable building in the International District of Seattle. It's a longer
commute for him, but the inconvenience is offset by Vulcan's Transportation Options program, which subsidizes
the cost of a monthly Metro pass. Ira encourages his friends and coworkers to get out and boogie on nights and
weekends with the mostly all-girl funk band, Kissing Potion where he holds down the low end with his Carvin
Icon 5-string bass.
What is your favorite benefit or perk here?
By far, the best benefit is the opportunity to work with really smart people with an incredibly diverse range of
skills and experience. My experience at Vulcan has changed my view of the world and my place in it. Another benefit
is being involved in projects that directly affect the region. I take pride in the positive impact Vulcan has on our
community.
How has your role or career evolved since you've joined Vulcan?
There are some similarities to the role I held at Boeing: I was responsible for the healthy operation of Windows
servers and domains all over the world for Boeing and the same general description applies here. One big difference
is that at Vulcan we have a much smaller team of decision-makers. Once we agree on a course of action, it's
usually a very short time between the decision and implementation of the plan. It's an exciting environment.
How does your position influence or impact the company's objectives?
The role of IT Operations is to supply the technical infrastructure required to make other projects successful.
That can include supporting a new company in the Vulcan portfolio, bringing up a new site at an international or
domestic location, or facilitating the delivery of high-definition video of a newly discovered shipwreck. The scope
and variety of projects is mind-boggling. Of course, if I do my job well, most of the company never notices. That's
the plight of an IT professional!
What is one of the most memorable projects you've worked on?
I've been lucky to work on several infrastructure upgrades in France and Germany. I've also provided remote
support for temporary sites in Italy and China. It's fascinating and inspiring to work with international teams,
across time zones and high-latency WAN links. I never get over being amazed by the technology!
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MORENA
Title: EUS Technician
Department: End User Support
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At the age of 18, Morena immigrated to the United States from El Salvador, settling in New York City.
She recounts her first years there as difficult for her, challenged by a new culture and language, but she eventually
earned an associate's degree. After several years in the city, she and her family moved to Seattle where she continued
her education. Her interest in technology stems from her earlier work with Siemens and Microsoft. Morena is the proud
mother of two boys, both attending college in New York City. While they are at school, her pit bull, Lola, and Shih Tzu,
Lady, have taken center stage in the house. She enjoys cooking for friends and family and listening to music.
Her greatest joys come from spending time with her friends and helping those in need.
What is your favorite benefit or perk here?
The perks I enjoy the most are organized social outings with coworkers, and the convenience of using the shipping and
receiving department during the holidays.
How has your role or career evolved since you've joined Vulcan?
As a Helpdesk Technician, my primary role is resolving user problems as they relate to office technology:
computers, printers, Blackberries, and related applications. The position has given me the opportunity to work on
projects from upgrading users to Vista and large moves to charitable projects at the corporate level. These
opportunities have helped me grow within Vulcan and use those new skills in my community.
How does your position influence or impact the company's objectives?
It is common to receive frantic calls from users who have deleted key project files, whose computers refuse to boot up,
or users who are leaving on business trips halfway across the world and they need loaner laptops with all their files
loaded because their laptops are not functioning as they should. In my position, I am given numerous opportunities to
have a positive impact on projects I have never heard of, but my greatest reward is in seeing the sigh of relief on
peoples' faces when their problems or concerns have been resolved.
What is one of the most memorable projects you've worked on?
Though I have worked on many projects, the most memorable were the XP and Vista upgrade projects. Those two projects
gave me the opportunity to utilize my technical skills, galvanize user participation, and spend time quelling user
fears and concerns about the migration to newer operating systems. I love talking to people, hearing their issues,
and looking for ways to help them have an enjoyable productive day.
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HILARY
Title: Documentary Productions Manager
Department: Media Development
(Vulcan Productions)
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Hilary Sparrow hails from North Carolina, but spent many years in Washington, D.C. before moving
to Seattle. She launched her career at National Geographic Television & Film—where she managed
productions around the world—frequently filming in locations like Cuba, Mexico, Costa Rica
and Nicaragua. She left National Geographic to become director of production at an independent
film company, producing countless hours of entertaining television for channels such as: Discovery
Channel, Animal Planet, WNET/Nature, National Geographic Channel, Ultra HD, Travel Channel and the
Smithsonian Channel. Hilary lives in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood with her husband, three kids
and a dog named Hazel. She and the family can often be found sailing, hiking, camping, skiing,
and picnicking on the beach while enjoying Seattle sunsets.
What is your favorite benefit or perk here?
I'm a big fan of the health club membership. My family and I have joined a climbing gym and the
benefit covers my weekly yoga classes! Vulcan also offers a great transportation benefit (money
towards parking or a bus pass), but I'm a bike commuter—which means I basically get
paid to ride to work. Love it!
How has your role or career evolved since you've joined Vulcan?
The projects I'm working on at Vulcan have a tremendous scope. We're not just documentary
filmmakers—we extend the life of our projects through companion web sites, marketing
and impact initiatives designed to spur social action and change. Before coming to Vulcan,
I managed only film projects, but now I've taken those skills and applied them to other
media forms. It's terrific learning so much about other fields of communication.
How does your position influence or impact the company's objectives?
The goal of our film projects is to have an impact and really make a difference in the
world—and that's a core value at Vulcan Inc.
What is one of the most memorable projects you've worked on?
I'm an integral part of the production team for This Emotional Life,
a multi-year campaign to foster awareness, connections and solutions around emotional
wellness. This groundbreaking project surrounds a three-part documentary series that
was broadcasted nationally on PBS in January 2010, and includes a national outreach
campaign, a dynamic and content-rich Web site, and toolkits in the areas of early
childhood attachment and the reintegration of military service members into their
communities. It's fantastic to manage such an important project that has really
had an impact on people's lives and will continue to do so for years to come.
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JOSH
Title: Marketing Manager
Department: Real Estate
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Josh Lackey moved from Norman, Oklahoma to pursue life in the Pacific Northwest.
He gained critical knowledge of development, marketing, leasing and asset management
at a Seattle real estate development firm before joining Vulcan's real estate division
in 2002. He lives in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood
and spends most of his free time exploring the city, enjoying live music and films and
taking advantage of the natural beauty that Washington State has to offer.
Why did you come to Vulcan?
I was working for a commercial real estate developer in Seattle at the time and
had heard about Vulcan's initiatives in South Lake Union. Their vision sounded atypical
for a developer in that environmental consciousness and social awareness was a major
part of their mission. I also loved the fact that an independent film company and
a non-profit foundation existed under the same umbrella as the real estate division.
I was intrigued by the opportunity to be part of the South Lake Union vision at
such a progressive organization and thought that EMP [Experience Music Project]
was a pretty cool building, so I applied.
What is your favorite benefit or perk here?
My favorite employee benefit is by far the tuition reimbursement for continuing
academic endeavors. Everyone in the organization—and especially my department—was
more than supportive of my desire to pursue an undergraduate degree while working
full-time. Not only am I gaining important work experience at Vulcan, but I received
an academic education as well that has enabled me to further my career.
How has your role or career evolved since you've joined Vulcan?
I began as an Administrative Assistant, supporting two development managers and
a bevy of pre-development projects. I utilized my design/desktop publishing skills
to create standardized templates for our PowerPoint presentations and Requests for
Proposals and became the department go-to person for graphic needs. Within two years
I was promoted to a Marketing Specialist position which has allowed me to hone my
skills in the marketing/communications field. After completing my BA in Communication
at the University of Washington, I was promoted to Marketing Manager and I now currently
oversee the Real Estate department's events and sponsorship programs, digital media efforts,
corporate and lifestyle marketing collateral, photography, film and interactive projects.
How does your position influence or impact the company's objectives?
One of the goals of the organization is to change the way people experience the
world. As part of the team working on the South Lake Union redevelopment, I feel
empowered to make a positive impact in a neighborhood that is changing the face
of Seattle. Our team has always been extremely collaborative, and I feel that my
suggestions and feedback are always heard—everything from what local coffee
operator would be a good fit for Alley24 to which films should be shown in the community
outdoor film series. It has been incredible to see the growth of the South Lake
Union neighborhood over the past eight years, and I feel great pride in having contributed
to that change.
What is one of the most memorable projects you've worked on?
There are quite a few, but I'd have to say the launch of the South Lake Union Discovery
Center was the most memorable. My boss and I had worked tirelessly for eight months
to bring the South Lake Union vision to life via the Discovery Center. To make this
happen, we had to build a lifestyle brand from scratch, which included photography,
a five-minute film, a history wall, numerous displays and kiosks, an 18-foot scale
model of the neighborhood and a lot of coordination with architects, designers,
city planners and community stakeholders.
Since opening in April 2005, the Discovery Center has become a community destination
in the neighborhood, won numerous national awards and received visitors from all
over the world who have come to admire South Lake Union as a model of urban redevelopment
and sustainability.
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DION
Title: Manager, Communication Operations
Department: Technology
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Dion Butler spent most of his youth in Washington, and is a proud graduate of Washington
State University with a degree in Management Information Systems. Following an eight-year
stint in the Air Force, where he worked respectively in communications, computers
and satellite operations, he earned an MBA from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Back in the private sector, Butler worked for two dynamic startups—Homegrocer.com
and Terabeam Inc.—before coming to Vulcan. In his free time, Butler, who lives
in Bellevue, enjoys sports, motorcycle riding, playing the guitar and dabbling in
real estate.
Why did you come to Vulcan?
I was at a startup that was having some difficulties, so I decided it was time for
me to look for something new and exciting. Two of my co-workers had left for Vulcan,
so I decided to do a little research on the company myself. The diversity of Vulcan's
interests was a big lure for me. I can definitely say that is also a major reason
why I enjoy working here as well.
What is your favorite benefit or perk here?
More than any other place I have ever worked, Vulcan has found a solid balance between
bureaucracy and flexibility. At Vulcan, I am given the latitude to perform my job
without being encumbered with an excessive amount of bureaucracy. I believe this
is one reason why the company has been so successful. The company has done a great
job of finding the "sweet spot" that promotes creative thinking, but does so with
an appropriate level of checks and balances.
How has your role or career evolved since you've joined Vulcan?
I was originally hired at Vulcan to manage the Network Services group. This role
has since expanded to include telecommunications, providing me an opportunity to
grow not only technically, but also creatively. As with most people in technology,
I have a desire for continued growth both professionally and personally. Vulcan
has given me this. I can honestly say each day brings new and interesting challenges.
How does your position influence or impact the company's objectives?
Since data networks and phone systems are key elements within any organization,
my team is chartered with the large responsibility of ensuring both of these functions
service our corporate customers at a high level. Unreliable data networks and voice
systems can be detrimental to success. I, as well as my team, take great pride in
what we have developed at Vulcan. I truly believe it is a world-class product. I
feel extremely fortunate that Vulcan has entrusted me with management of a top-notch
team and such a key element of its business infrastructure.
What is one of the most memorable projects you've worked on?
One of the things l love most about working at Vulcan is the diversity of project
work. If I had to pick one project I would select the Qwest Field stadium project.
My team was responsible for the design, build, and support of its data network and
voice system. The stadium has been a major success story and is viewed as one of
the best NFL facilities in the country. It's nice knowing we played a role in that
success.
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PEARL
Title: Community Relations Manager
Department: Corporate Communications
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Although she grew up in Southern California, Pearl Leung wanted to earn her degree
in American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington because of the social
consciousness she sensed in the Seattle community. Following graduation, she worked
on the election campaigns of former governor Gary Locke and former state representative
Velma Veloria. After doing work with inner-city high school students, Leung went
back to the UW for a master's degree in urban planning/real estate development.
Returning to the work force, she took on economic development issues in New York
City's Harlem neighborhood before finding her niche at Vulcan. Leung lives in
Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood, and is a YWCA GirlsFirst mentor for Seattle
high school girls of color.
Why did you come to Vulcan?
Vulcan offered me the chance to do the kind of community work I love and believe in.
On top of that, working for an innovative world-class organization and assigned to a
visionary project such as the revitalization of South Lake Union (SLU) is a rare
opportunity. I was impressed by Vulcan's demonstrated commitment to the environment
and community. I came to Vulcan to work for a company I respected, with dynamic and
talented people, on a cutting-edge project that would improve Seattle's urban form
for decades to come.
What is your favorite benefit or perk here?
Vulcan pays for our membership to any health club in the area, while offering us the
option of using the company's athletic club as well. I like being able to choose my
own health club and still having the flexibility of getting in a quick workout
downstairs.
How has your role or career evolved since you've joined Vulcan?
When I started at Vulcan as a community relations specialist, one of my main tasks
was to work with neighbors during design and construction stages of our development
projects in South Lake Union. Now, I have the pleasure of working with a wide spectrum
of organizations and individuals from across the city including the Low Income Housing
Institute, the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Seattle Great City Initiative,
as well as neighborhood groups such as the South Lake Union Community Council.
How does your position influence or impact the company's objectives?
Community relations works to build and maintain goodwill among our neighbors and
those in the greater Seattle community. Part of building strong relationships and
being a good corporate citizen is to establish open communication and understanding.
I work directly with many South Lake Union non-profits, small businesses, neighborhood
groups and individuals to help them connect with each other, broadening their business
contacts and fostering an overall sense of community.
What is one of the most memorable projects you've worked on?
I would have to say helping start the South Lake Union Chamber of Commerce was
quite a milestone for me. As a neighborhood grows, there is a real need for
stakeholders to have a place where people can connect, get informed, and
participate in civic initiatives. With the help of a small group of South
Lake Union businesses, we successfully launched the South Lake Union
Chamber of Commerce in April of 2007. I'm very proud to say that the
relatively new chamber is already making great strides in organizing events,
promotions, and educational resources for neighborhood businesses. They have
big plans to help South Lake Union become a more vibrant, welcoming neighborhood.
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