Formaspace continues to grow, so it’s time to welcome some of the new faces who have joined our “FormaCrew” team over the past few months.
Carr Lanphier
Chief of Staff
We’d like to introduce our new Formaspace Chief of Staff, Carr Lanphier, who comes to us from the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. In his role, Carr is tackling a variety of projects across the company – from coordinating strategies that maximize our efficiency to leveraging the amazing products Formaspace creates in the marketplace.
“I love working in small-to-midsized businesses because it’s possible to get experience in every role and understand what is operating effectively, why challenges exist and how they can be mitigated or resolved,” says Carr. “And I really, really appreciate the opportunity to learn and to get to know everyone across the company. We have a great team that manufactures an incredible product. What’s not to like?”
Carr also recognizes that Formaspace has an opportunity to make a difference during the pandemic. “Formaspace can help society and institutions deal with COVID challenges – be it through laboratory workbenches, the Study Shield safety dividers for schools, or small batches of outstanding custom furniture for the decentralized workplace.”
Carr also enjoys making furniture projects at home. Albeit, one of his earlier efforts at school was not entirely successful, as he explains: “In college, I spent about two weeks building an office desk out of a refurbished door in the basement. However, I forgot to measure the stairway width and couldn’t get it out of the basement!”
Welcome aboard Carr!
Claire Redsun
Brand Manager
We’d like to welcome aboard Claire Redsun, Formaspace’s new Brand Manager.
Claire describes her role this way: “I’m here to support the marketing team in all their efforts – from creative content that drives brand awareness to producing training material for internal and external clients and team members – to help position us to win in the market. My goal is to consider the brand in all aspects in order to grow sales and make Formaspace top of mind in our industry as a true leader and innovator.”
Claire finds that being a member of the FormaCrew very rewarding. “I try my best to connect with people on a level of true enthusiasm and understanding, and I love how the people here embrace all types of ideas and creativity in return. Everyone feels truly supportive and positive.”
Claire also appreciates how the Formaspace team is open to new ideas. “I love the challenge of out of the box ideas and thinking – and the welcoming team attitude makes me feel comfortable to share ideas no matter how off the wall they may be! We have such a well-balanced group of positive and creative, hard-working people, and, as you can imagine, the sky’s the limit when you get the right people together. A great example of this is the team markerboard we designed for Google. I think it is the perfect example of what makes our creative process (co-creation) here at Formaspace so unique.”
Claire also brings her longstanding passion for architecture and furniture design to Formaspace. “I’ve been building houses in Costa Rica, and I’ve just completed the first project where I designed every aspect – from architecture to all the furniture (all of which is custom built). I’ve spent the past four years on this project, and it has been a dream to see it through from beginning to end.”
Mike Triche
Senior Team Lead – Direct Channel & Top Sales
We’d like to announce that Mike Triche has returned to Formaspace in his new role as Senior Team Lead.
Mike’s primary responsibility will be to service US and International-based clients who are outfitting their laboratories, industrial, and tech spaces with quality Formaspace workbenches and tables –designed for maximum efficiency and equipped with ergonomic features that support the wellbeing of end users.
According to Mike, he is “driven to take care of the needs of the client above all else,” and he “loves to help clients solve specific problems that arise from each of their unique spaces.”
As a team lead, Mike will also be sharing his decades of experience with other Formaspace team members on how to provide superior consultative selling by supporting our clients with detailed information spanning across a broad spectrum of technical sales issues (such as educating end users on the most effective use of chemical resistant, industrial and technical work surfaces).
According to Mike, “I’m very excited to be a part of a growing team and industry; we have proved in 2020, against all odds, that integrity still means something.”
Patrick Wyse
Assistant Controller
Meet Patrick Wyse, our new Assistant Controller. According to Patrick, “I’m contributing to many of the functions across the finance department. On a day-to-day basis, I supervise accounts receivable, payables, payroll, and cash. I also have responsibilities for executing a timely month-end close; ensuring internal controls are functioning properly; and identifying ways to increase efficiencies within the department.
Patrick comes to Formaspace with an extensive background in public accounting in tax, audit, and consulting roles, which, combined with his attention to detail and breadth of accounting knowledge, makes him very effective in his new role.
Does Patrick enjoy being part of the team at Formaspace? “Absolutely! I am excited about our products and continued growth, and I really enjoy the culture here. Managers genuinely care about employees and provide everything you need to be successful. I am also proud to be part of a company that has manufactured furniture for awesome projects/customers, such as the tables used to produce ventilators during the pandemic.
I also really like the new Invisishield product we are offering; it’s aesthetically pleasing, multi-functional, and is a great Covid response product during these difficult times.”
Glenn Hyzak
Maintenance Technician
We’d like to introduce Glenn Hyzak, who recently joined Formaspace as one of our new Maintenance Technicians.
In his new role, Glenn makes repairs on the facility machinery and equipment. He also performs preventive maintenance to keep things in good working order and is responsible for soliciting quotes for upgrading our facility’s machinery and equipment, as well as ordering parts and supplies as needed to minimize downtime and cost.
Glenn comes well prepared for the new role: “I have an extensive background and experience that helps with troubleshooting and problem-solving. And I’m very excited to be part of Formaspace. The people here are very helpful and respectful, and this is a company with a solid track record that sets a high bar for innovation. This company has great ideas that are made into high-quality products that keep the customers satisfied.”
Outside of work, you’ll find Glenn riding his motorcycle in the hill country outside Austin as well as taking part in one of his favorite hobbies, skeet shooting.
Bailey Watson
Junior Design Support Specialist
Welcome aboard Bailey Watson; she is the new Junior Design Support Specialist working on the Formaspace Contract team.
Thanks to the rapid growth in the Austin area, Bailey is a member of an increasingly rare club: “I’m what they call an “Austin Unicorn” – one of the few in this area who was actually born and raised here in Austin!”
In her role, Bailey helps support our dealer sales reps across the US and Canada by providing timely quotes and offering product expertise. Bailey also helps to come up with product solutions for custom or modified furniture pieces when needed.
Bailey is dedicated to her new role. “I am good at what I do because I care! I genuinely want our reps and clients to have a good experience, not just with our products but with our process. I do my best to have open communication with them throughout the process and extend my support as much as possible.”
Bailey also has great things to say about working at Formaspace. “I feel very supported and encouraged by my manager Karen Januski. During these unprecedented times, our team has flourished and has been busier than ever before. I think that shows our perseverance but also a promise of hope for the future. Given the growth Formaspace is experiencing right now – particularly our Formaspace contract business, which is growing more and more every day – makes me excited for the future.”
Austin Johnson
Junior Design Support Specialist
Please welcome Austin Johnson, our new Junior Design Support Specialist for the Formaspace Midwest US team.
In his new role, Austin is supporting Junior Design Consultant Megan Clark and National Sales Manager Debbie Zack in the Midwest region by responding to lead inquiries, fulfilling quotes, and jumping in to complete other tasks as needed.
Being part of the sales team at Formaspace requires acquiring and communicating a lot of specialized knowledge to customers, a skill that comes easily to Austin. “I would attribute my success in this role to my willingness to learn and my enjoyment of successfully completing tasks. I’ve also had a bit of experience in technical sales where an extensive set of product knowledge was required, so I’ve found what works for me in terms of learning and retaining information to a degree that allows me to share it with others.”
Austin also appreciates the Formaspace working environment. “I enjoy being a FormaCrew member because of the onboarding experience. We all know how difficult this year has been, and I appreciate the effort that everyone on the team has made to integrate me into the company culture. I’m also excited about the future of Formaspace for a few reasons. First, we’re experiencing significant year-over-year growth. Second, I really appreciate how the new ERP integration improves workflow and transparency. And third, I like the company’s commitment to team growth and a healthy work-life balance. Each of these things contributes to an exciting and successful future!”
Austin has a sharp eye for design: “I can name most any car, up to a moderate distance, using only the taillights as reference.”
Austin also admits he has a few favorite Formaspace projects, including a custom furniture project for The Incredible Spiderman (“I find the entertainment industry exciting,” says Austin), but his favorite piece of furniture design is the custom shelving units made for luxury goods supplier LVMH because they are “minimalistic and glamorous.”
Martin Chavez
Junior Design Support Specialist
We are also welcoming our third new Junior Support Specialist Martin Chavez.
Martin is assisting Robert Furrer and Chris Smith with accounts in the Eastern US states. In his role, Martin helps provide our dealer sales reps with time-critical information, from quotes to product information. Martin also supports the Design Consultants by identifying custom solutions that can solve the unique problems or issues facing our customers.
Martin’s personality makes a good fit in the sales environment. “I’m personable and outgoing,” he explains. He’s also enjoying being a member of the FormaCrew. “I’m glad that the company is doing well, especially during these uncertain times. It’s also nice that we can all get together outside of work, it makes me feel more connected to the team.”
Outside of work, Martin also enjoys getting hands-on experience building furniture. His favorite project is his loft bed: “I built it myself, and it lets me utilize the space in my room in the most efficient manner!”
Welcome New Production Team Members to the Formaspace Family
As the company grows, we’ve also been expanding the workforce in our manufacturing operations. Here are the newest team members who have joined us:
- Anna Tumbas – Welder I
- Anthony Scribner – Welder I
- Dan Moore – Inventory Control Analyst
- Daniel Aguilar – Assembler I
- Jose Cervantes – Assembler I
- Vicente Cruz – Product Painter
Congratulations to Formaspace Team Members Receiving New Promotions
There are also quite a few promotions we’d like to acknowledge since our last update.
- Frank Bucher has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO)
- Mehmet Atesoglu has been promoted to Marketing Director
- Debbie Zack has been promoted to National Sales Manager
- Karen Januski has been promoted to Formaspace Contract Team Lead
- Jessie Provost has been promoted to Project Manager
- Matt Rundblad has been promoted to Customer Service Supervisor
- Robert Furrer has been promoted to Senior Design Consultant
- Jesse Torres has been promoted to Welding Team Lead
- Jeff McGlew has been promoted to Production Supervisor
- Megan Clark has been promoted to Junior Design Consultant
- Connor Matthews has been promoted to Senior Design Support Specialist
- Kristina Olvera has been promoted to Production Scheduler
- Shannon Perry has been promoted to Assistant Buyer
Congratulations to everyone and best of luck in your new positions.
Do you want to Become Part of the Formaspace Team?
Are you interested in being part of the Formaspace team?
Formaspace is a leading American-made furniture company based in Austin, Texas, serving the industrial manufacturing, laboratory, office, and hospitality markets, as well as government, military, and educational institutions.
Our clients include many of the top Fortune 50 and 500 clients (including Capital One Financial Corp., Dell Computer, and Google) as well as hundreds of universities and schools (including most of the Ivy League institutions.)
Check out our Careers page at formaspace.com/careers to keep up to date with our current job openings.
