One of our star Project Managers, Arash Hassanzadeh, considers himself to be "somewhat of a perfectionist." We think his diligence and habit of triple-checking everything means that there's no "somewhat" about it. The pandemic has certainly challenged all aspects of the job, but Arash has been a leader in finding creative solutions. Acting as a bridge between our customers and our crews, Arash makes sure that each job he manages is completed safely and executed with superior quality.
Becoming a Project Manager
Arash joined the Exterior Medics team in March 2019 with eight years of experience in the exterior remodeling industry. He says the career came about while he was in college. Although he was an accounting major, he picked up his first hammer at age 20 during a summer apprenticeship with a construction company. The work proved to be genuinely satisfying to him, and he never looked back.
As a lead on the Production Team, Arash takes on the projects identified by the Sales Team and makes them happen. He is the principal liaison with the client from an initial phone call to set the time frame and budget to the finish, which is a follow-up call with the client to make sure the project has been completed to their satisfaction. In between, he double-checks measurements, orders materials (early), picks the right crew, sets schedules, and coordinates the entire project. A hands-on manager, Arash makes sure that every detail of his projects is planned, checked, and confirmed to ensure smooth execution. His clients appreciate that he stays in regular contact, giving status reports. At any given time, he will be tracking and managing 40-50 projects of varying sizes and complexity.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Project Management
A firm believer in teamwork, Arash worked hard to transition in March 2020 when the pandemic abruptly changed everything. "I really appreciated the way the team jumped into work on social distancing solutions," he says. He was able to brainstorm with his fellow project managers and the owners to come up with safe and effective ways to keep working. Instead of in-person check-ins, he made a point to find ways to connect with his crew and technicians electronically. Realizing that some didn't have access to email on the site, he uses text with pictures to make sure that the project progresses and issues are resolved. He added additional safety measures to every aspect of his work, including suggesting and establishing appropriate protocols with each client at the beginning of the project and making sure his team understands and executes the plan. The hardest part has been limiting his site visits, but his virtual workarounds keep him in touch with his site managers and crews.
Living the Life
When he isn't hard at work, Arash is a huge sports fan. He tells us he met his wife at a sports bar where they instantly bonded over a game on TV. He played soccer growing up, and now his family, including his 4-year-old son, enjoy staying as active as possible. He admits to being a Yankee fan, but he embraced the Nats when they came to town, and he enthusiastically supports all the other local teams. When on the road to site visits, Arash enjoys country music and some quiet time.
As a member of the Exterior Medics team, Arash has led from the front. He takes his cues from the owners, appreciating that they are always available to pitch in where needed. The owners think pretty highly of Arash as well.
"Arash's work ethic embodies the core of every Exterior Medics family member. The responsibility that he bears is vital to the production of all the work we do for thousands of homeowners. That's not to ignore the rest of our production team, who are all key to the high-quality, communicative, and consistent exterior remodeling work that you're used to from Exterior Medics."
- Mark Watson, Co-Owner at Exterior Medics
"Listen… Arash doesn't have an easy job. His dedication, contribution, and workload are always to be recognized. He manages every single detail that goes into your new roof or your James Hardie siding replacement. We're proud to have him on our team, and we're proud of our entire production department."
- Joe LeVecchi, Co-Owner at Exterior Medics
On September 21, 2020, Arash was promoted to Director of Production for his contributions to Exterior Medics during his tenure with the organization.
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