At JGM, family is our foundation. Our employees are family, and in some cases, some actually are! In addition to our President, Joe Messner, Jr, working alongside his brother and father, we also have another family on the team. Meet Chip and Tara Ashenfelter, the husband-and-wife duo who contribute to JGM’s success.
Chip has served as JGM’s purchasing manager for the past 14 years. In his role, it’s all about efficiency and speed. Chip is responsible for purchasing fabrication materials, sequencing materials for the shop to increase efficiency, working with vendors to ensure the right products are purchased at the right price for each specific project, and he also handles some project management responsibilities for jobs running through the shop.
Chip’s wife, Tara, joined the JGM family eight years ago in her position as accounting assistant. In her role, Tara is responsible for managing the company’s bank accounts, credit card accounts, and everything accounts payable.
To learn more about Chip and Tara and their roles at JGM, we put them in the spotlight and asked them some tough (and fun) questions. Hear what they had to say!
What is your favorite part about working at JGM?
Chip: “I like that my role at JGM is challenging and every day is different. I am involved in a lot of different parts of the company, which I enjoy.”
Tara: “The team at JGM gets along so well. It is like working with family. We all get together to support and take care of one another.”
What is one piece of advice you would give someone pursuing a career in purchasing?
Chip: “Ensure you understand what you are purchasing and why. It is critical to know the right size, thickness and grades of the materials being purchased to prevent project delays.”
What is one piece of advice you would give someone pursuing a career in accounting?
Tara: “It is important to stay up-to-date on new accounting methods and trends. Continuing your education or even taking refresher courses every so often can be beneficial.”
What are your hobbies outside of work?
Chip: “I am part of a local fire company, so I go out on fire calls when needed. We also have a classic car I work on here and there and take it out in the summer for drives.”
Tara: “I enjoy gardening. As a couple, we spend a lot of time working on household projects.”
What three words would your family and friends use to describe you?
Tara: “Caring, hardworking, understanding, and a wee bit crazy!”
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chip: “Red meat.”
Tara: “Any type of breakfast food.”
If you had to go on the same date for the rest of your life, where would you go?
Tara: “The Town House Restaurant. We have had a lot of dates there, but unfortunately right now it is closed.”
What is it like to work with your spouse?
Chip: “While we both work for JGM, we do not work together on a daily basis. Our roles are so different and we both work different hours, so we do not have much interaction throughout the workday.”
Tara: “Chip and I have worked together before we were married. We met at Wawa and then a few years later worked together at the Boathouse Restaurant, so working together is normal for us. However, because of our different roles at JGM, we do not commute together, eat lunch together or even work in the same office space.”
JGM is a family. We work together, we help each other, we rely on each other. If you are interested in joining a team who will support your personal and career growth, view our available positions and apply today.
