Welcome to the Employee Spotlight Series! For this feature, we interviewed Ben Davis. Ben wears several hats at SpendMend in his hybrid role, including IT Automation, Research Analyst, and PM Assistant. He joined the SpendMend team about four years ago! When asked what he thinks is the best part of serving the healthcare market, he said, “Supporting hospitals with efficient deliverables, so they can focus on what’s important.” Ben attended North Central University for his Associate’s degree in Business. He then received his Bachelor’s degree in Project Management in Technology from Davenport University. He chose this degree path because he likes to organize and create structure, he states “I believe it makes people more productive and feel confident in knowing what they’re doing.” During work, he enjoys listening to the “Lex Fridman” podcast. Lex Fridman is a scientist, and during his podcast, he interviews professionals in a variety of careers. The podcast discusses the different careers in hopes of better understanding them, and how their work impacts society! If you’re looking for a new podcast to start during work, check it out. Thanks for the recommendation, Ben! A fun fact about Ben is that he is really into playing online chess! Chess has become a great outlet for him because he enjoys solving puzzles. As of right now he plays the game with people online but looks forwards to making the jump to play with a local chess group. If you want to practice your chess skills, be sure to reach out to Ben! 

 

Ben does such a wonderful job in his roles! We appreciate his ability to juggle between tasks. Al Sibley, IT Director, said, “Ben manages and configures the RPA (Robotic Process Automation) projects. When he started in this role, he was unfamiliar with the software and the processes. Now, he has a firm handle on these projects and knocks them out with increasing efficiency. He does a great job helping to improve the efficiency of various shared services processes by automating the processes to free up resources to work on other tasks.” We are lucky to have Ben a part of our team!

Interview with Ben:

 

What is your role at SpendMend?

Hybrid – IT Automation | Research Analyst | PM Assistant

 

How long have you been with SpendMend?

4 Years

 

How did you first learn about SpendMend?

Robert Half

 

What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?

Supportive, Transparent, Laissez-Faire

 

Where are you located/from? 

I grew up in Holland, MI

 

Where did you go for higher education? What did you study and why?

I attended North Central University (in Minneapolis) for my AA in Business before attending Davenport University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Project Management in Technology.  I chose this degree path because I like to organize and create structure and I believe it makes people more productive and feel confident in knowing what they’re doing.

 

Why do you look forward to coming to work?

Solving new challenges and working with team members to achieve them.

 

Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

I was blessed to have experienced the process of funding and co-founding a real estate media startup called NextDoorPhotos (those guys are still killing it!).

 

What is one fun fact about you?

I have become slightly addicted to online chess.

 

What piqued your interest to start playing online chess?

I enjoy solving puzzles with logic and Chess became a great outlet!  I play people online, but still haven’t made the leap toward meeting with local chess groups yet. 

 

What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?

I’ve been listening to Lex Fridman recently, very long episodes!

 

What is the podcast “Lex Fridman” about? 

Lex Fridman is a scientist who interviews professionals with interesting careers and insights to help us better understand in laymen’s terms what they do and how their work impacts society.  I don’t know if I’d suggest a particular episode, as I’ve only heard a few!

 

Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?

Pickleball and Volleyball are always a good time.

 

Who do you enjoy playing pickleball and volleyball with? What is your favorite part about pickleball and volleyball?

Pickleball and Volleyball are both hobbies to me.  We play volleyball with a group of friends in the summertime.  My partner loves to play pickleball and we get a nice tan as an added bonus.

 

Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?

I mainly work internally with our IT team and Shared Services.

 

What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?

Supporting hospitals with efficient deliverables, so they can focus on what’s important.

 

If you work at the Grand Rapids headquarters, what is your favorite Recovery Room Activity?

I am currently living in the Twin Cities, but if there’s a Ping-Pong table I’m there.

 

What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?

Unfortunately, I have not attended a Bee Brave event yet!

 

Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?

Cindy Allen has always been very supportive and she goes the extra mile to make sure you feel safe and informed.

 

What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?

Don’t be afraid to think long-haul and be flexible with what you’re willing to learn towards meeting company needs.

 

What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?

Being given the opportunity to work on project-based work within a team.

 

What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?

Continuing to learn more about how we get things done.

Hello everyone! Welcome to the Employee Spotlight Series. This week we interviewed Janay Woodward. Janay is an Auditor and has been a part of the SpendMend team for two years! When asked why she looks forward to coming to work, she said, “I look forward to the daily challenges that help me further my skills as an Auditor.” Janay is originally from Grand Rapids, MI but currently resides in Charlotte, NC. She received her Bachelor’s degree at Western Michigan University for Accounting. She decided to study Accountancy because she loves dealing with numbers and problem-solving! A fun fact about Janay is that she is older than her six half-siblings but the shortest! Janay states, “They are all taller than me, so I am the little big sister!” Be sure to read the full interview to learn why Janay loves being the oldest sister. Outside of work, Janay enjoys cooking! She is always looking up new Tiktok recipes to try. She started cooking with she moved to North Carolina because she didn’t have family around, so she had to learn! Her favorite recipe she has made is stuffed chicken breast of mashed potatoes and broccoli. When SpendMend has its next potluck, we hope Janay makes the trip to Grand Rapids! Another hobby that Janay enjoys is dancing! Janay has been a dancer for as long as she remembers. She and her cousin grew up making dance routines together! Janay’s favorite type of dance is hip-hop. Her favorite part about dancing is it’s all for fun!

 

Janay is a valued member of the SpendMend team and we appreciate her! Eric Florance, Audit Manager, said, “Janay is an extremely valuable member of our team; she puts forth great effort each and every day and never losses her positive attitude. She continues to challenge herself each day to find the best possible resolutions for our clients.” We are grateful to have Janay on the team!

 

Interview with Janay:

 

What is your role at SpendMend?

Auditor

 

How long have you been with SpendMend?

2 years

 

How did you first learn about SpendMend?

Job fair at Western Michigan University in the Fall of 2018. Became an Intern in the Summer of 2018. I then reached back out to SpendMend in 2021 for an Auditor position.

 

What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?

Flexible, Supportive, Rewarding

 

Where are you located/from? 

I am from Grand Rapids, MI, but I am located in Charlotte, NC. 

 

Where did you go for higher education?

I got my Bachelor’s degree at Western Michigan University. 

 

What did you study and why?

I studied Accountancy because I love dealing with numbers and problem 

solving.

 

Why do you look forward to coming to work?

I look forward to the daily challenges that help me further my skills as an Auditor.

 

Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

I worked at the Roskam factory and I had to clean the machines that made Hershey chocolate.

 

What is one fun fact about you?

I am the oldest out of my siblings, but I am the smallest. So I’m the little big sister.

 

How many siblings do you have and what are their names? 

I have six half-siblings. Three on my mother’s side and three on my father’s side. 

 

Did you grow up close in age? 

We did grow close in age except for my last 3 brothers who are 18, 14, and 10.  

 

What is the best thing about being the oldest sibling? 

I can use everyone’s login information for Hulu, Netflix, and other TV programs lol but the real best part is watching them grow and being able to teach them about things that I’ve already learned. 

 

Any fun stories you can share about you and your siblings? They are all taller than me, so I am the little big sister lol

 

What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?

I listen to a variety of music. My favorite podcast currently is Getting Grown.

 

Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?

I work out, cook (always looking at new Tiktok recipes), dance, and I love doing my hair in different styles.

 

When did you start cooking as a hobby?

I started when I moved to NC because I have no close family there, so I had to eventually learn how to cook. 

 

What are your favorite types of food to cook? 

It actually depends on what type of mood I am in or if I see something that looks really good on Tik Tok lol 

 

A favorite recipe you have made?

Stuffed chicken breast of mashed potatoes and broccoli. 

 

When did you start dancing and why?

I’ve always been a dancer. My favorite cousin and I used to do dance routines when we were younger. Plus my mom was a dancer in her younger years as well. 

 

Did you start in a school program or through a studio? – I was not in any dance program, unfortunately, it is all for fun. 

 

What types of dances do you enjoy doing?

I would say hip hop dancing. 

Favorite dance style and least favorite? I will try any type of dancing just for fun. I don’t really have a least favorite

 

Do you interact with

Suppliers

 

Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?

As I was working with Penn State Health Cardinal Health Value Ink, I was able to provide them with remits for open invoices as they provided me with credit memo copies.

 

What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?

We definitely appreciate your help!

 

What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?

Being able to help clients/suppliers improve their cost and quality of Healthcare.

 

What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?

Being that I am working from home out of State, I have not experienced a community service event. But I look forward to attending one in the future.

 

Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?

I want to shout out Kajal Kumar for being a great trainer and Gray POD for working together as a team!

 

What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

 

What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?

My proudest accomplishment has been me being able to rederive large credits at the end of the month to help my POD reach its goals.

 

What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?

I look forward to expanding my knowledge as an Auditor and eventually working my way up to the Supervisor role.

Happy Friday! For this Employee Spotlight edition, we are featuring Zarren Aylor. Zarren is a Contract Compliance Auditor and joined the team a little over two years ago. When asked what he thinks is the best part of serving the healthcare market, he said, “The best part of serving the healthcare market is knowing my work helps improve patient care for our clients.” Zarren grew up in the West Michigan area, and now he currently is located in Norton Shores, MI. He went to Baker College and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. When asked why he decided to study Finance, he stated, “I studied Finance because my parents owned a small business while I was younger, and I felt having a strong understanding of how finances work would allow me to succeed in a lot of different areas.” A fun fact about Zarren is that he has a twin named Keenan. They have a lot of similar physical features, but Keenan is about an inch taller than Zarren. They played football together all throughout school too, Zarren states, “We had a connection that was hard to compete against in every sport we played together.” Be sure to read the full article to learn about Zarren’s favorite part about having a twin! Outside of work, Zarren is really into fishing! His favorite place to fish is Lake Michigan since it’s only a few minutes away from where he lives, and it is also where his passion for fishing started. The coolest fish he has ever caught was a 26” Walleye off of a bridge over the Muskegon River. Zarren’s dream place to fish one day is the Gulf of Mexico and he would love to catch a Swordfish! 

Zarren does a great job in his role and we are grateful to have him on the team! Seth Glaser, Audit Supervisor, said, “I had the pleasure of working with Zarren for over two years here at SpendMend while he was an auditor in the Blue Pod.  He was always someone I heavily relied on and could always count on during our time working together.  Zarren was an outstanding auditor who always put the company first, was always willing to assist in helping and training new auditors, and is an invaluable asset to the SpendMend team. I’m extremely thankful to have been able to work alongside Zarren while he was part of my team and appreciate everything he added to our group. I’m excited to see where Zarren’s new role takes him in the company!” Thank you, Zarren! We appreciate your dedication to SpendMend!

Interview with Zarren:

What is your role at SpendMend?

Contract Compliance Auditor

How long have you been with SpendMend?

A little over 2 years

How did you first learn about SpendMend?

I first learned about SpendMend through LinkedIn and the great opportunities they offer recent graduates.

What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?

Community, Innovative, and Hard-Working

Where are you located/from? 

I am located in Norton Shores, MI and I grew up in the West MI area as well. 

Where did you go for higher education? 

I went to Baker College and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.

What did you study and why? 

I studied Finance because my parents owned a small business while I was younger, and I felt having a strong understanding of how finances work would allow me to succeed in a lot of different areas.

Growing up, what was your dream job and why?

I did not have a specific dream job, but I always thought it would be cool to be a professional fisherman. However, I enjoy plenty of fishing in my free time.

Why do you look forward to coming to work?

I look forward to knowing that my work makes a difference for our clients so that they are able to focus more of their time on improving patient care

Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

The most interesting job I had prior to working at SpendMend would have to be being a baseball umpire for youth baseball

What is one fun fact about you?

I have a twin brother that I am 13 minutes older than!

What’s your brother’s name?

My twin brother’s name is Keenan

Are you and your twin identical or fraternal? 

I don’t know whether we are fraternal or identical as it was never clear to my parents, and we never had a DNA test done to determine what we were.

What are the biggest differences in your appearance? Do you two have a lot in common or opposites? 

We are quite similar in appearance, but he is about an inch taller than me. We have a lot in common, and we played football together all throughout school where I was the QB and he was the WR. We had a connection that was hard to compete against in every sport we played together

What is your favorite part about having a twin? 

My favorite part about having a twin was always having someone to compete with and against in whatever we do, but also having someone you could always relate to and lean on.

What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?

During the workday, I listen to multiple genres of music, and I am unable to pick a favorite!

Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?

Outside of work, I am a big fisherman and I love to play cornhole!

What piqued your interest to start fishing? When did you start fishing and why? 

I started fishing when I was a kid and going out on Lake Michigan in a family friend’s boat for Salmon is what piqued my interest. I caught my first Salmon that day which was 22 pounds and I share the same excitement I had then as I do today. 

Where is your favorite place to fish and why? 

I got back into fishing heavily after college which was a few years ago, and my favorite place to fish is still Lake Michigan as it is only a few minutes’ drive away from where I live and is where my passion for fishing started.

What I the coolest fish you’ve caught? 

The coolest fish I caught was my first Walleye in March of last year which was 26” off of a bridge over the Muskegon River.

Where is your dream place to go fishing?

I have been fishing in Saint Lucia which was a very cool experience, but I would love to fish the Gulf of Mexico and catch a Swordfish one day.

Do you interact with

Clients and suppliers

Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?

There have been multiple instances in which suppliers needed help in resolving large amounts of past due invoices in which I was able to escalate the issue with our client to get involved. Helping out suppliers when possible is always beneficial in building strong relationships.

What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?

I am always happy to receive genuine appreciation from the suppliers I have interacted with.

What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?

The best part of serving the healthcare market is knowing my work helps improve patient care for our clients.

If you work at the Grand Rapids headquarters, what is your favorite Recovery Room Activity?

I work from home for the most part.

What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?

All of SpenMend’s events are always a good time.

Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?

I credit Seth Glaser for always making sure my work as an auditor at SpendMend was acknowledged and appreciated.

What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?

The SpendMend team is very supportive and wants to see you succeed!

What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?

My proudest accomplishment at SpendMend so far was improving my approved claims and overall claim volume by over 50% in my 2nd year as an auditor.

What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?

I look forward to continuing to grow in my new role and learning the many different aspects we provide in our recovery.

Welcome to the Employee Spotlight Series! This week we are highlighting Mary Tyler. Mary is a Shared Service Analyst and has been a part of the SpendMend team for three years! She describes SpendMend in three words as, “Professional, Generous, and Engaged.” A fun fact about Mary is that she is located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She received her Associate’s degree from Davenport University, and then her Bachelor’s degree from Cornerstone University in Business Administration. She decided to study Business Administration because she wanted to have a range of skills in the business field. Mary has now worked for over 15 years in Accounts Payable! Another fun fact about Mary is before she worked for SpendMend, she was a Substitute Teacher. Her favorite classes to substitute for were the online classes called (E2020), where Mary helped students work through their assignments on the computer. Read the full interview below to learn what Mary’s favorite and most challenging parts about being a Substitute Teacher. During work, Mary likes to listen to Gospel music. She states, “I like a wild range of gospel music!” One of her favorite groups is Kirk Franklin and Maverick City. Mary’s favorite artists are Tasha Cobbs and Tamela Man. Thanks for the new work song recommendations, Mary! One of Mary’s hobbies during her free time is participating in an exercise group. She has been going to Soulful Motion for about six years! She loves the health benefits from the class as well as the friendship bond made by exercising with other ladies. That sounds like a great way to stay active and socialize!

 

Mary does fantastic work at SpendMend and we are grateful to have people like her on the team! Amy Kanoza, Statement Administration, said, “Mary is one of the top performing members of the Receiving Team. She is very knowledgeable and has one of the highest accuracy rates in her position. She is always cheerful and friendly, very consistent with her work, and is an all-around awesome person and team member! Mary is a very hard worker and we are so thankful to have her on the Receiving Team!” Thank you, Mary! We are lucky to have you!

 

Interview With Mary:

 

What is your role at SpendMend?

Shared Service Analyst

How long have you been with SpendMend?

3 years

How did you first learn about SpendMend?

A friend

What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?

Professional, Generous, and Engaged

Where are you located/from? 

I am located in Grand Rapids.

Where did you go for higher education? 

I received my Associate’s degree from Davenport College now Davenport University and my Bachelor’s degree from Cornerstone University in business Administration.  

What did you study and why?

I studied business because I wanted to have a range of skills in the business field, I worked for over 15 years in Accounts Payable.

Why do you look forward to coming to work?

enjoy being a part of the mission for SpendMend

Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

Working as a Substitute Teacher

What piqued your interest in becoming a substitute teacher? 

To be honest I liked the flexibility of what a Substitute Teacher offered. 

What were your favorite classes/subjects to teach for?

My favorite classes were online classes called (E2020), which consisted of helping students work through their assignments on the computer.  

What was the best part about substitute teaching? 

The best part of being a substitute teacher was being able to help the students. 

What was the most challenging?

The challenging part was when the students sometimes seemed to not cooperate with subs.

What is one fun fact about you?

Very optimistic and caring

What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?

Gospel

What are your favorite Gospel songs to listen to? What are your favorite groups/bands/artists? 

When it comes to Gospel songs I like a wild range of gospel music. One of my favorite groups is Kirk Franklin and Maverick City, and my favorite artists are Tasha Cobbs and Tamela Man to mention a few.

Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?

Part of an exercise group called Soulful Motion

When did you start attending Soulful Motion and why? 

I started attending Soulful Motion about six years ago and mainly for health reasons.

What is your favorite part about joining Soulful Motion?

The friends and fellowship bond I have made with other ladies while exercising.

What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?

Working with a team to resolve client issues

What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?

People are friendly and connected with the community.

Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?

Cindy Allen and Amy Konoza

What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?

Must be a strong team player

What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?

Adding valuable members to the SpendMend Team

What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?

Continual growth within the company.

Happy Friday! Welcome to the Employee Spotlight Series! This week we are featuring Jacob Hofstee. Jacob is a Support Analyst and joined the SpendMend team almost a year ago. When asked why he looks forward to coming to work, he said, “I look forward to working with the amazing team I’m part of through the ever-changing landscape of the IT Industry.” A fun fact about Jacob is that he is located in Jenison, MI. He went to Northern Michigan University for two years and then finished his degree at Grand Valley State University in Computer Science. Jacob decided to study Computer Science because he has always been curious about computers and how they work! His love for computers started as a hobby to build and mess with them in his spare time during high school. Gradually, it grew into a career! Another fun fact about Jacob is that he enjoys listening to music during work. One of the playlists he likes to listen to includes a lot of R&B Alternative music. His favorite artist right now is Joji, and loves his song “Daylight.” He hasn’t seen him in concert yet, but Jacob hopes to see him live in the future! When Joji comes to perform in Grand Rapids, you know Jacob will be there! Outside of work, Jacob spends his free time with anything to do with cars. His interest in cars started when he was little, he said, “My dad would do doughnuts and such, in his Trailblazer in the winter, which was a lot of fun for me LOL.” His favorite car to drive and fix is his current car, a Mercedes S550. Be sure to check out the full interview below for Jacob’s go-to car fun fact! 

 

Jacob does a wonderful job in his role and is appreciated highly by his team members. Ron Bianchi, Support Analyst II, said, “Jake consistently displays exceptional dedication and skill in our department.  He has quickly perfected his aptitude for building and re-imaging computers and his ability to manage logistics under pressure.  From there he has grown to handle all aspects of support and become an invaluable asset to our team.  Starting with SpendMend as an intern, Jake’s commitment to providing top-notch assistance has not only earned him a well-deserved promotion to full-time support analyst but also the admiration and respect of his colleagues. We are truly fortunate to have him on board.” Thank you for all your hard work, Jacob!

 

Interview with Jacob:

 

What is your role at SpendMend?

Support Analyst

 

How long have you been with SpendMend?

Almost a year

 

How did you first learn about SpendMend?

Family friend

 

What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?

Supportive, Adaptive, Innovative

 

Why do you look forward to coming to work?

I look forward to working with the amazing team I’m part of through the ever-changing landscape of the IT Industry

 

Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

The only other Job I had was working for Meijer, more specifically the pickup department.

 

What is one fun fact about you?

I hate seafood

 

What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?

I listen to a lot of different genres. Whatever is popular basically.

 

Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?

I like to do anything related to cars. Drive, fix, clean, and look at. I am a frequent user of Facebook Marketplace.

 

What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?

Knowing that we are lowering the costs for Healthcare companies, which will in turn lower the cost for the end customer in need of healthcare.

 

If you work at the Grand Rapids headquarters, what is your favorite Recovery Room Activity?

When there is food brought in from other people, there is a great community feeling that I love

 

What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?

I’ve never been to one :(. But I do want to someday.

 

Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?

Yes, I do! Ron was the first person to really show me the ropes here. And I am really grateful for everything he has taught me and everything he will teach me in the future.

 

What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?

Starting out on a new team can be daunting. But I would say, if you ever have questions, or are unsure about a subject. Just ask. We have such a great team to help you learn and knock out any problems.

 

What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?

I am very proud of everything I’ve learned so far. I started at Spendmend not knowing a whole lot about anything. But with the help from the team here, I have learned so much and very excited to learn more every day.

 

What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?

I mentioned this in the previous question also. But, I am very excited to see what more I learn from day to day.