Meet the Staff! Lavallee Systems Controller Kristin Fournier
Kristin is one of the first people you get to know working at Lavallee Systems. In her role as Controller, she is instrumental in keeping the organization running. Kristin’s background is in accounting with degrees from Quinsigamond and Worcester State in the field. Her affinity for numbers started early. Her mother was an accountant and she has memories of sorting and filing stacks of client receipts around the kitchen table. After leaving college she came to work for Lavallee, and has also worked as a controller for a local contractor, an accountant for a country club, and an assistant controller for a hotel chain. Now full time at Lavallee Systems, Kristin handles both finance and office management for the plumbing and HVAC company.
In reflecting on her time at Lavallee Systems Kristin notes that she enjoys working in a company where there is a family-like culture and the work is always a challenge and offers constant change. Over her time in the company, they have shifted from new construction and condo work to high end residential remodeling work in the Boston area. Early on there was very little service work, but now that has become a growing area of focus.
She notes that Lavallee is different from other plumbing and HVAC contractors because of the quality and professionalism of the work. The technicians truly take pride in what they do – and stand by their work until the client is satisfied. “The staff doesn’t just put in the time, they truly care.” The culture at the company ensures that they keep great employees – there’s very little turnover in the staff.
Outside of work, Kristin and her husband have a 6 year old daughter. Most of their free time is spent at her dance and karate activities. Another cause close to Kristin’s heart is supporting efforts to raise awareness and funding for breast cancer programs. Kristin’s grandmother passed away from breast cancer when she was just 3 years old. The loss has inspired Kristin to participate in events like the Avon Breast Cancer Walk where she walked 39.3 miles in a weekend, as well as the Susan G. Komen walk.