Wessler is proud to announce Jim Purtee as the subject of this month's Employee Spotlight! Jim joined Wessler in 2018 and currently serves as controller and the head of the accounting department in our Indianapolis office.
We asked Jim some questions so we all can get to know him a little better, including his tennis career and tour of Europe. Congratulations, Jim!
What are your roles and responsibilities at Wessler?
As controller, I oversee all accounting functions. My team handles billing, accounts payable, timesheets, labor analysis and several month-end items. I ensure the financial records are completed each month and results are reported to leaders in the company. I also make sure payroll and receipts are processed and that outstanding account receivables are actively pursued.
What does the Wessler Way mean to you?
The employees truly come first. I see management engaging with employees who are putting in extra time to see if they can assist and that overly busy times are short term. The company also goes the extra mile to reward the employees.
And food, there always seems to be food around here!
What are some of your favorite things to do outside of work?
I have a U13 soccer player at home, so I spend a lot of time at the fields. In the warmer months, I enjoy cycling and participate in events to raise money for a handful of charities. I have participated in the Diabetes “Tour de Cure” since 2013 and am joining the planning committee for the 2020 ride.
Tell us about a skill you have that most people probably don’t know about.
In high school, I played tennis. My doubles partner and I were in discussions to play at Marian College (now Marian University), but we both wanted to go to a larger school. That, ultimately, ended my semi-professional tennis career.
Where is the best/most memorable place you have traveled to and why?
In 2005, my wife and I did a 12-day bus tour of Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France and England. We saw a lot of amazing sites – Vatican City, the Coliseum, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Venice, the City of Lucerne in Switzerland, Notre Dame (the real one, not the place in South Bend), the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben/Parliament. The food was fantastic and our tour group was awesome.
What's one of the most surprising things you've done?
We took my mother-in-law skydiving on her 50th birthday several years ago. It was something I never expected to do, but it was a lot of fun!
If you could choose anyone past or present, who would you pick as your mentor and why?
I had two really good managers in the early 2000s. David J. helped me develop my skill set and Mike M. showed me what it means to be a good leader.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?
If it were Mega-Millions, I would probably go off the grid until I figured out what to do with it all. If it’s just a $5 scratcher, then I'll probably just get a coffee.
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