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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
VICKI VINCENTE
“KBD Group is my second home.” – Vicki Vicente
Vicki Vicente will be celebrating her thirtieth anniversary working with KBD this upcoming November. She is a Project Accountant / Office Manager / Event Planner in the New Jersey Office. Vicki’s main focus as Project Accountant is to monitor the progress of projects, expenses, project billings and payments. She also coordinates office administration and procedures to ensure smooth office operation and spearheads coordination for events such as team building and holidays.
Vicki literally grew with Kajima. 30 years ago, as a young Economics graduate, she had no experience with the construction industry. However, as she learned and understood the business of construction, she came to enjoy her fulfilling career at KBD Group. We are very fortunate to have Vicki as a loyal member of the KBD Group team.
INTERVIEW WITH VICKI
Q: How long have you worked for KBD?
A: I have been with KBD 30 years.
Q: Please list all the positions you held with the company.
I was initially hired to assist the Administrative Assistant (Assistant to the Adm Assistant, if there was such a thing!). Then I became an Administrative Assistant, an Office Administrator, Executive Assistant/Accounts Payable Clerk and finally, Project Accountant/Office Manager. I am also an Event Planner on the side.
Q: Why did you choose your profession?
A: Originally, I was an Economics graduate and wasn’t sure why or how I ended up in the construction business. It kind of landed on my lap. But I just took the position in stride, gradually learned and understood how the business worked. I actually like what I do now!
Q: What do you like most about KBD?
A: KBD is my second home. It has been good to me. It grew old with me and I mean that in a good way.
Q: What is your proudest moment at KBD?
A: I have two. One would be the recognition I received for my 20 years of service in the company. The other one, although not work-related, was the retirement party we threw for Mohammad Rahimian. He had a great time from beginning to end and was very appreciative. I’m happy that he was happy. Of course, it was a group effort.
Q: What has been your favorite project and why?
A: It would be the KII Headquarters at 900 Sylvan Avenue in Englewood Cliffs on the top of my list. It was my first project and it became our home for the next 10 years or so. The next ones would be Felissimo which was a department store at 10 West 56th Street in NYC and Toraya Confectionery located in 17 East 71st also in NYC. Every girl loves shopping and sweets. Need I say more?
Q: What do you find the most challenging at KBD?
A: The challenge I often see is the constant changes in CADD, project management and accounting software. With limited hands-on training, it is difficult to navigate and can hinder an individual’s productivity.
Q: What advice would you give to new hires?
A: Have patience and perseverance. Listen to your mentors. Success always entails hard work. Be resourceful.
Q: Share a fun fact about yourself.
A: I’ve always loved dancing as a young girl although I never got any formal training. Three years ago, I enrolled myself in ballroom dancing just to get me moving. Even though my heart drops down to my feet as they twinge at the end of each class, I enjoy every minute of it and look forward to the next one. I want to be a ballroom dancer in my second life, maybe…
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CONSTRUCTION NEWS
KBD Group Celebrates topping out ceremony
Topping out ceremony
On April 7, KBD Group celebrated with Mazda Toyota US at their Topping Out Ceremony in Huntsville, Alabama. Our team was proud to see the last structural beam put in place at the Automotive Manufacturing facility. Even with the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, KBD Group construction continues to deliver safe quality service to meet our clients’ deadlines.
What is a Topping out Ceremony?
In building construction, topping out (also known as topping off) is a builders’ rite traditionally held when the last structural beam is placed atop during its construction. The topping out of the facility doesn’t mean the project is completed but it has since come to mean the structure of the building is finished, whether there is a ceremony or not. The putting the last structural steel beam or final roofing piece in place on a building is a project milestone and signifies that the structure has reached its maximum height. In America, the final structural piece is often painted white and signed by members of the construction team. Read more
Gallery of the event
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