We’re thrilled to keep introducing you to our claw Roofing team! next up is Carmen, Co-Owner and administration manager of Claw.
• How long have you been working with Claw?
I’ve been here since the very beginning with Claw! I’ve worked part-time since its inception in 2002 and have worked full-time since 2008.
• Tell us a little about the jobs and services you provide to clients.
I’m the email contact point for our clients once they become clients. I also do the books, banking, payroll, tax preparation and I bring balance to Peter – who is far more “passionate” than me and sometimes needs a little bit of help to level out!
• What led you to become an expert roofer or other member of the Claw Team?
Peter is an excellent roofer and passionate about roofing, however, he didn’t have much experience with the administrative end of things. I have a Master’s Degree in Nursing and have worked in Health Care Administration most of my career. Construction was a learning curve, but I understood much of the administrative processes.
• What is your favourite part of the job and why?
I love to go to a job site. Everything looks so professional and everyone on the job knows what they’re doing. For some reason it always makes me feel proud of the boys and of our Claw team!
• Tell us a favourite work memory!
When Chelsey was preparing our safety manual, she informed me we needed safety plans in the office. I joked around saying “what are we going to do, fall out of our chairs.”
This year I went to sit down on my chair, and it rolled out from underneath me. I slammed down on the floor hard and knocked the wind out of myself. When I became aware of my surroundings again, I lay there and tested all my limbs, making sure nothing was broken. Finally, I was able to get up off the floor and settle down on my chair.
Then I burst out laughing, remembering the day I had made so much fun of Chelsey about our safety manuals for the office!
• What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned on the job site with Claw?
I never realized the correct application of an insulated flat roof was so very complicated. Previously I had not given it much thought. However, that’s not possible when you live with Peter. He is passionate about this business. Every time he takes apart a roof because it wasn’t done right I get to hear the whole story, and every time he is just as upset and just as indignant on behalf of the customer. His passion is always inspiring.
• What’s something we don’t know about you?
I love my paralyzed dog. He is a toy poodle who became paralyzed from the waist down when he was 3. He is now 11 and continues to drag himself around in the house to get around. He does have a wheelchair for outdoor times. He is beautiful and funny, very bossy and extremely loving to us, but he is a miserable, yappy grump towards people he doesn’t know or like and there are many of these people on his list. Although almost everyone else in this world can’t stand him except for Peter, I still love him to death. There is no accounting for taste!
I’m also a potterhead!
• What hobbies and interests do you enjoy in your spare time?
I’m passionate about supporting the LGBTQ community and love to attend pride event, pride parades, galas, brunches and other events to learn more and lend my support.
I recently took up golfing. I didn’t realize any sport could drive you crazy and still you keep coming back for more.
I love to read and I’m an avid fan of fantasy novels.
• What’s your favourite part about living and working in Calgary? Tell us about why you love living here!
I think I’m very lucky to live somewhere where the water is clean, we have plenty of land and the air is fresh. I have a lot of family in the area and I love spending time with my family. I love being close to the mountains.
