#GreenKey20: Expansion into the “DMV” Region

As we commemorate our 20th anniversary, we take this opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey of our Back Office teams. In the last twenty years, our Human Resources, Information Technology, Accounts Receivables, Payroll, and Marketing departments have expanded and transformed how they operate, embracing technological advancements to improve productivity and performance. This journey is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our team members, who continually strive for excellence.

Debra Goldberg, Contracts Manager, shared a little about the evolution she’s had the opportunity to witness, saying, “My journey with Green Key began just about 20 years ago when the company first started. From the time I walked through the doors of our very first office, that small five-person office back in 2005, Green Key has grown exponentially and has continued to expand and grow over the years, adding different divisions and offices, and amazing technology. It’s truly been a unique experience to watch the company grow from a newly hatched egg into the large corporate presence it has become.”

Human Resources

Our Human Resources department was born out of a vision to create a dedicated team that would focus on the well-being and development of all employees. At first, the Human Resources functions were spread out across several individuals and teams. Adina Goldman – currently a Partner at Green Key and initially employed as a Research Analyst over a decade ago – recognized that there was an opportunity to centralize these functions under one department. As a result, the management team empowered her to establish a formal HR department, which she aligned with our fundamental values and top industry standards.

When asked about the journey of the team, Adina noted, “After working as a research analyst, I was fortunate to have been given the opportunity by the partners to work on the administrative back-office side of the business, with the goal being to establish an HR department. I learned by working alongside other back-office team members, such as Deb Goldberg, who were responsible for various HR tasks. Additionally, I was introduced into conversations with the company’s insurance broker and legal counsel. Each of these experiences and opportunities enabled me to grow into an HR professional, which then allowed me to assess the short- and long-term needs of our HR department and subsequently hire talent to support these needs.”

She went on to highlight, “Playing an integral role in the department’s growth has been very rewarding. It’s been inspiring to work alongside team members who exhibit a strong work ethic while treating their fellow team members and colleagues across the company with respect and kindness. These individuals are also highly adaptable and always willing to pitch in and help to ensure that all the HR functions are properly supported.”

Our Human Resources team now uses advanced analytics to make data-driven decisions, ensuring that we attract, retain, and develop the best talent in the recruitment industry.

Accounting

Our Accounting team has played a pivotal role in ensuring financial accuracy and integrity. Over the years, they’ve adopted advanced financial systems and analytics tools to streamline financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. These advancements have improved our financial transparency and decision-making capabilities.

Mike Mirabal, CFO of Green Key, discussed how integrating new technology has enhanced and streamlined the team’s processes. “Innovative tools have enhanced our reporting function and insight generation from data. They have improved our analytic methods, providing rapid and accurate financial analysis which shortens our cycle for decision-making. This has been crucial to our operations,” he said.

Accounts Receivables, Collections and Contracts 

Since the inception of the company, the Accounts Receivables, Collections, and Contracts teams have transitioned to systems that better suit their needs, as well as the company’s goals. This change has improved accuracy and efficiency in billing, collections, and contract management.

Collections and Billings Director, Narisa Singh, mentioned how the adoption of new systems has benefited the team. “Switching to systems that work better for us and the company has revolutionized our workflow. Moreso, technology to automate tasks has improved the team’s efficiency, and we have been able to reduce errors and speed up our payment cycles, significantly boosting our financial health. These advancements demonstrate how leveraging technology can significantly contribute to more stable and efficient workflows, ultimately driving better business outcomes,” she said.

Debra added, “Our updated contract management systems have streamlined the process, ensuring all agreements are tracked and managed effectively, reducing risk and improving compliance.”

Integrating advanced software solutions has helped the teams better manage invoices, track payments, oversee collections, and handle contract details efficiently.

Payroll

Our Payroll team has also embraced technological advancements, specifically to streamline payroll processing. Automation has replaced labor-intensive tasks, leading to increased accuracy and efficiency.

Pam Benedetti, Director of Payroll highlighted how implementing an automated system has enhanced the payroll processes, saying, “The transition from a manual to an automated payroll system significantly streamlined the payroll process. By implementing Paychex, we reduce the time spent on payroll-related tasks, minimized errors, and improved overall efficiency. Originally, Green Key Payroll was doing both payroll and billing. By separating these functions into two departments each team was able to specialize and improve their respective processes. Ultimately, automation in payroll processing paved the way for more accurate and timely financial management.”

These technologies ensure that employees are paid accurately and on time, maintaining employee satisfaction and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Anthony Agosto, Payroll Manager further highlighted how integrating new technology has benefitted the team, “Our payroll systems have not only improved efficiency, but also provided better insights into our payroll data, helping us make more informed decisions. Prior to our current system, hundreds of timesheets were processed manually by two payroll coordinators. Now, more clients use our Web Portal system, streamlining the process. We continue to work with the IT development team on how to improve processes and ensure compliance with Federal and State Labor Laws.”

Integrating IT and Marketing for Strategic Advancement

The evolution of our IT and Marketing departments has been notably transformative. Originally, the IT team depended on outside vendors for services, while Marketing operated under a single employee. These two departments have become an integrated unit, forming a team of dedicated and seasoned professionals.

Dave Singh, CIO and CTO at Green Key remarked, “The decision to internalize IT services and combine the IT and Marketing departments marked a significant shift in our processes. The collaboration between IT and Marketing is evident in the way both departments have embraced cloud solutions, enhanced cybersecurity frameworks, and explored emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning to optimize operations and campaigns. This synergy not only supports the business but drives its future success.”

Embracing cloud solutions and enhancing our cybersecurity framework have been crucial steps in improving operational efficiency and security. I.T. Development Manager, Celena Lipscomb, noted, [“Our team’s dedication to integrating advanced technologies and improving system efficiencies has been remarkable. We’ve gained the agility to respond quickly to challenges and the flexibility to implement solutions that truly align with our goals.”

This evolution has not only provided more authority over our technological foundation but enabled more targeted and measurable campaigns.

Becca Smith, the Executive Director of Digital Technology, highlighted the gratifying process of observing the Marketing team’s growth into a cohort of professionals. This growth has been characterized by increased collaboration with IT-focused colleagues and the effective application of digital marketing instruments and analytics to forge stronger connections with their audience, thereby enhancing the efficacy of their campaigns.

She added, “It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch our Marketing team expand into a strong group of professionals. Our digital marketing tools and analytics have allowed us to connect with our audience on a deeper level, optimizing our campaigns for maximum impact. Each member brings unique skills and perspectives, and together we’ve built a brand that resonates with our clients and candidates.”

The combined efforts of IT and Marketing exemplify the power of cross-departmental collaboration. By leveraging each other’s strengths, the team continues to push boundaries ensuring we remain at the forefront of the recruitment industry.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate this milestone of 20 years in business, we recognize the hard work and dedication of our Back Office teams. Their continuous pursuit of excellence and willingness to embrace new technologies have been instrumental in our success and we will continue to equip them with the tools needed to face future challenges and seize new opportunities.

Thank you to our clients, candidates, and team members for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to the next 20 years of growth, innovation, and success!