Employee Spotlight: Tiffany Piatchek, Administrative Assistant & Fleet Manager

 

What do you do at Gilbert Industries?

I am the Administrative Assistant for the CFO and Senior Accountant, as well as the Fleet Manager at Gilbert Industries.

 

What is a typical day for you like here at work?

One of the things I love most about my role is that every day is different. My responsibilities include onboarding new employees, submitting new hire documents for benefit enrollment, and ensuring all required paperwork is properly organized both physically and electronically. I also manage 401K and work to ensure all employees are well taken care of.

I handle incoming calls, determine the caller’s needs, and connect them with the right person to assist them.

A significant part of my day involves record retention for inventory purchases, assisting with material receiving, and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of accounting and HR records.

As Fleet Manager, I oversee all aspects of our company’s fleet, including vehicle acquisition, maintenance, and repair.

Additionally, I provide backup support for the ownership team and business office whenever needed.

 

How long have you been at Gilbert Industries?

I have been with Gilbert Industries for four months.

 

What is your professional and educational background before joining Gilbert?

Before joining Gilbert Industries, I spent seven years as an Account Manager overseeing the Northwest territory at Rhomar Industries. I worked closely with state DOTs, cities, counties, and contractors, providing fleet and equipment maintenance solutions for snow removal, road maintenance, bridge maintenance, facility and park maintenance, and wastewater management. This role allowed me to gain extensive knowledge about various industries and participate in numerous industry conferences across the country.

Prior to Rhomar, I was an ABO-NCLE and CPO-certified optician for nearly 14 years, with my last eight years spent as the lead optician and training manager at The Vision Clinic. I had a deep passion for the optical industry before making a complete career shift into my role at Rhomar.

 

What brought you here?

Tonya Gomas, our CFO, brought me to Gilbert! We worked together at Rhomar, and over the years, she often talked about how much she loved her job, the people, and the culture at Gilbert. I told her to keep me in mind if she ever needed an assistant. When the opportunity arose, she reached out and recruited me, customizing this position to fit both my strengths and the company’s needs. I am incredibly grateful to her for that!

 

What part of the job do you find most fulfilling?

The most fulfilling part of my job is helping people. Whether it’s supporting Tonya, our incredible Senior Accountant, Nasby, or assisting employees with insurance and 401K questions, I love being someone they can rely on. I also enjoy helping the purchasing and receiving team, running errands for the ownership team, and stepping in wherever I’m needed. Being in a role where I can make someone’s day easier and better truly fills my cup.

 

What do you like most about working at Gilbert?

Hands down—the people and the culture. This company is full of kind, giving, faith-driven people who genuinely care for one another. It feels like a family, and from day one, I’ve felt welcomed and valued. I have never worked for a company like this, and it is both refreshing and uplifting. I look forward to coming to work every day because we have a strong team and fantastic leadership.

 

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?

I love spending time with my husband, Shaun, and our three dogs—Max, Daisy, and Jill. We spend most of our free time at Table Rock Lake, boating and wake surfing in the summer. I also enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and family, and making the most of every moment.

I have three amazing goddaughters and many nieces and nephews that I love spoiling and spending time with.

I’m also a massive St. Louis Cardinals fan and enjoy going to games or watching them on TV, as well as attending Springfield Cardinals games.

In addition, I’m a beach lover. A couple of times a year, I travel to Florida to my favorite islands, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, for a relaxing getaway with friends and family.

 

What is a project you are proud of?

One of my biggest accomplishments so far has been managing my first insurance open enrollment here at Gilbert. Since I had never worked in HR before, it was a completely new experience with a steep learning curve. I worked hard to ensure the process was smooth and as easy as possible for both our employees and the administrative staff. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m proud of how I handled my first major project in this role.

 

What are you most looking forward to over the next year?

Professionally: I’m excited to continue learning and growing in my roles as an Administrative Assistant and Fleet Manager. I love taking on new challenges, and I can’t wait to see how much I develop over my first year at Gilbert.

Personally: I’m looking forward to vacations, spending quality time with my loved ones, perfecting my wake surfing skills, and getting even better at driving our new boat. I’m hoping for a fun and relaxing year ahead!

 

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