Employee Spotlight Background
Sidwell’s October Employee Spotlight is written about Neal Carpenter!
As the President/CEO of Sidwell, Neal is responsible for the overall operational administration and management of the company. He manages department directors, develops production schedules and assignments, prepares labor and cost estimates, and oversees proposal and contract preparation. He is actively involved in sales activities and client support initiatives. Neal also participates as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, and serves as an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) Trustee.
Neal previously served as:
- Executive Vice President and Vice President of Operations: managing all operational departments of the company.
- Manager of Geographic Information Systems: directing all GIS production departments and project management staff.
- Senior Project Manager: providing technical consultation and assistance to clients, and managing other project management activities.
- Account Manager: responsible for marketing a number of Sidwell products and services.
- Has worked in various production departments associated with the creation and maintenance of cadastral mapping systems.
Q & A
What’s an interesting project that you worked on in the past? Why?
Many years ago, we created the cadastral mapping system for Dubuque County, Iowa. The land records and geography of this county is among the most complex and unusual in the region. It was a challenging project, even for our most experienced cartographers. When it was finished, the following words were digitized microscopically into the center of a period on the last string of text placed in their GIS – “Dubuque is Complete!”
What’s your secret talent that no one knows about?
I plead the fifth. After all, if I tell you, it will no longer be a secret!
Tell us a bit about how you came to join Sidwell.
I was looking for a job as a drafter. I applied for an opening at Sidwell, drafting parcel maps. Almost 40 years later, I’m still with the company. Like many of our clients, mine has been an accidental career!
If you could be any animal, which would you be?
Definitely a cat. You are always the master of your domain, so to speak.
What do you enjoy the most about your job and/or working at Sidwell?
The people. I love working with our staff as we try to serve our customers. I especially love working with our clients, helping them to achieve their objectives.
If you have ever received an award (work related or not), what were they for?
I don’t like to brag but … in 1980, I was given the “Highest Award for Achievement” in my Dale Carnegie class. The actual award was a mechanical pencil. So I’ve got that going for me, which is nice.
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Red. Does that make me sound angry? I hope not!
