An Interview with Jason Stewart, VP of Finance

Join us in this insightful interview with Jason Stewart, the Vice President of Finance, where he shares strategies and experiences in maintaining a positive work culture within the finance team and across the company.

As the manager overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, HR, and corporate administrative duties, Jason emphasizes the importance of effective communication, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose. Discover how his leadership style encourages a collaborative and enjoyable work environment.

Jason also reflects on instances where his team members, Jeanette Jimenez and Kortney Haddix, exemplify leadership and contribute to the overall morale of the team. Gain valuable insights on navigating uncertainty, staying calm, and working together to overcome challenges. Additionally, Jason outlines his key goals for the upcoming year, focusing on a positive attitude, exceptional service, work-life balance, and overall fulfillment for himself and his team.

Learn from Jason's leadership philosophy and discover practical approaches to building a thriving work culture.

Read the transcript below:

Could you introduce yourself?

Jason:

I'm Jason Stewart, I am the VP of Finance. I am the manager over all of the finance accounts payable, accounts receivable, HR and corporate administrative duties.

What strategies do you employ to maintain a positive work culture within the finance team and across the company?

Jason:

I think that the one of the biggest strategies that I use is just to make sure that I communicate well with my team, make sure that they understand that I don't look at myself necessarily as their boss, I'm just looking at them as one of my teammates. No job is too big or small, every single one of the departments that I'm over have jobs to do daily, monthly, weekly. And those tasks range from A to Z. And it really doesn't matter who does those tasks, we are all part of a team that just has to accomplish all of those tasks and our goals. And we do it together, every problem that comes up, we solve it together. And you know, I'm here to hopefully mitigate any of the problems that arise just through our day to day interactions

Could you share an instance where your guidance or leadership significantly impacted the morale of your team?

Jason:

I don't necessarily have an instance where I think that I've done this directly, but I look at two of my team members who I think exemplify leadership, and definitely increase my morale from day to day. And that's Jeanette Jimenez, the manager of accounts payable and Kortney Haddix, the manager of accounts receivable, and I know that those two are probably two of the hardest workers in our company, they come in every day with great attitudes, they make sure that their jobs are done to the best of their ability day in and day out. And in all honesty, they make we as a team, we make it fun, you know, from time to time, we get to have a little bit of fun around here. So they definitely are two that I look at that, you know, hopefully, you know, I aspire to be more like them and hopefully is their leader that maybe inspired them to do the same.

In your view, what are the most crucial elements in maintaining high morale during periods of uncertainty?

Jason:

But I think one of the biggest parts of trying to maintain, you know, our morale during uncertainty is just to stay calm. Basically, I tell my teammates, that there's no task that's going to be too big, you know, we're going to do it together, you just have to take it step by step, and just get it done. There's nothing out there, that's going to be a huge deal. We just have to work it together, communicate and make sure they're on the same page. You know, I tell my team all the time that there's only one way to eat an elephant and that's one bite at a time.

What are some of the key goals you have in mind for the upcoming year?

Jason:

I could probably come up with some metrics for AP and AR as far as bills going out on time, or our collections being under 120 days or under 90 days. But in all honesty, my goal for each one of my team members as well as myself is just to come in every day, have a great attitude, you know, serve this company in the best of our abilities, and hopefully have a good work life balance, and honestly just be fulfilled with our jobs and be successful as long as my people or the people that I'm over feel that way and feel successful. I'll feel like that we've done a great job, I've met our goal.