Megan Muller
From her nomination:
“Brooke pretty much knows how to do every job/position in the administration side. Her positive attitude and willingness to help is immeasurable. Brooke started here as an intern and has worked her way up in just a few short years. In fact, she got her Masters, got married & worked full time all in the same year! Brooke is an inspiration to everyone around her. She is very compassionate and always willing to help or just listen if that is what is needed. She is an inspiration and always striving to learn more.”
Brooke Thomas is the Assistant Controller at Simon – East Region, the Colas USA subsidiary that operates in South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado. Brooke has been a part of the Colas USA Family since 2015. Prior to becoming the Assistant Controller, she worked as an Associate Accountant.
Read more about Brooke through the following spotlight.
Describe your role to someone who is not familiar with the construction industry or Colas USA.
I handle a variety of accounting functions within my company. Primarily, I focus more on the accounting side of our construction jobs rather than the manufacturing side. I assist with job cost, job billing, job bidding, and essentially oversee the accounting of the job from the initial bid to job completion. It is my goal to provide accurate data to our operations personnel, so they can make the most informed decisions.
What has been your favorite project so far?
I received the unique opportunity to assist my region’s Regional Manager prepare a specialty clinic at a Colas USA & Colas Canada function. I helped put together presentations and organized presenters beforehand. I was given a ticket to the event and was able to help coordinate throughout the day, meet all the wonderful Americans and Canadians I had been interacting with virtually. The project helped me gain a lot of knowledge on both the topic being presented and how a major event like that actually functions.
What drew you to working within the construction industry?
I have always been around some form of the construction industry. My dad owned his own company and has built over 200 single family homes in the town I’m from. My husband also owns his own construction company and does anything from roofing, remodeling, to new building/home construction. So, accepting a job in the heavy highway/industrial construction industry while very different from home construction, felt pretty natural.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work every day?
I love the people I work with and the work I get to do. Each day is different, and I get to problem solve new issues daily and dig for answers. Whoever said accounting was boring didn’t work for Simon and I love the challenge!
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I am super competitive and love to play games in my free time such as cornhole, horseshoes, and pool, just to name a few.