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Unsung Heroes: Joan Daigle

June 6th, 2022

In a company of 120 people spread across the country, there are A LOT of moving parts. Whether it's behind the scenes in the various admin departments, out in the field at project sites, or out of the country on an audit, its impossible to be aware of every single thing happening in any given week.

The problem? HRPers do amazing things each and every week and everyone needs to know about it. The solution? Introducing the Unsung Heroes of HRP.

This new blog series is dedicated to showcasing HRP's number one asset, our people! Each post will spotlight an employee and their expertise not only at HRP, but also outside of work in order to give you a better understanding who we are. Our next unsung hero is Joan Daigle out of our HRP headquarters in Farmington, CT!

To learn a little more about Joan, her career, and her life outside of work, we sat down and asked her some questions:

 

Q: How long have you been here?

A: I have been with HRP for a total of 22 years. After the first eleven years I left HRP to raise my two children, Victoria Alexandra, and Garrett Brian. I returned to HRP 11 years ago.

Q: What do you do at HRP?

A: My duties include: validating electronic employee time entry; obtaining professional licensing for engineers and environmental professionals; establishing a business profile in each state we conduct business in (45 states so far); working closely with the employee health and safety managers; ensuring that employees have the appropriate credentialing to work on client sites; assist with payroll and new employee orientation/onboarding; just to mention a few.

Q: What was your first role at HRP and how has that changed?

A: Deb Berardi ran the accounting department, and I was hired by her. My first role was to manually enter employee timesheets and vouchers from which the billing memo was generated. I then progressed to accounts receivable and then I moved to accounts payable and finally to HR, where I work today.

Q: What excites you about your role at HRP?

A: Meeting with new employees on their first day where we discuss the history of HRP and the progression to the HRP of today as well as the birth of 3:12. They are trained to work in Vantage Point and HIKE (HRP’s Information Knowledge Exchange).

Q: When, in your job, do you feel most like yourself?

A: When I am helping employees to solve an issue they are struggling with from simple problems to complex problems. Also, when coordinating employee and corporate events and meetings.

Q: What’s your best HRP memory?

A: There are so many! The best memory was my first day at HRP when I realized I had found a home with family and friends. The one that tugs at my heartstrings is the day I received a phone call from the adoption agency to say our baby daughter had arrived. After I hung up the phone, I looked up with tear filled eyes and there must have been 25 employees in the accounting room waiting to congratulate me. And of course, the HRP holiday gatherings!

Q: What has been your favorite project so far?

A: Whenever I am coordinating the on-site mobile occupational health screening and data management services for our employees where they receive annual or bi-annual physicals. About 45 – 50 employees will receive complete physicals in one day. Also, after eight years, equipping several offices with AED’s!

Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?

A: I am the youngest of six children, I have a degree in elementary education with a minor in business and at one time I held 5 jobs at five different companies simultaneously. In one day I hiked three mountain peaks in the White Mountain National Forest on my 35th wedding anniversary. I zip lined the next year. I enjoy demolition when renovating my home and I can swing a sledgehammer like there is no tomorrow.

Q: What three traits define you?

A: Passionate, caring and good sense of humor.

Q: What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?

A: Go back to teaching or become an Uber driver!

Q: What’s your favorite indoor/outdoor activity?

A: Cycling, running, hiking, snow shoeing, using my SUP and finding my next great adventure. I enjoy listening to the laughter I hear from the 3:12 gathering.

Q: If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?

A: Jo March of Little Women.

Q: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

A: Put an addition on our family summer home.

Q: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?

A: I would like to sit and talk with Elon Musk and his mom about what inspires and motivates them.

 

What does Joan mean to HRP? After our interview we reached out to Joan's supervisor to get her thoughts:

"I was thrilled to hear that Joan was chosen for the Unsung Hero campaign. Because she is just that!! Ask once, and she’s there – helping out; behind the scenes; getting it done. Nothing is too big or small of an ask for her. From joining the charge to raise money for local charities, rebuilding days, relay for life; to making sure every detail is perfect for our events; making new employees feel welcome; finding items for animals, coworkers, friends, and strangers in need; turning on the heaters before everyone gets into the office to warm it up; she keeps us safe, looks out for us; and the list goes on and on.  She’s the definition of a heart of gold.

Joan came to work for HRP 35 years ago.  So much has changed over the years, but not Joan. She remains a dedicated, caring, and loyal employee and friend.  She is my right-hand person and I have been absolutely spoiled by her.  Everyone should be so fortunate to have someone like Joan in their life.  I’m thankful, grateful, and forever appreciative.  Cheers to you Joan – well deserved accolades!!"

- Principal & Director of HR, Deb Berardi