Marketing Coordinator Andrea Wentzell wears a lot of hats at Danella, and even though none are hard hats, they’re all critical to company communication and culture. We sat down with Andrea to learn more about her workdays, her background, and what she enjoys doing most.
What brought you to Danella, and how long have you been here?
It will be three years next month (in May 2019). I was hired as I was wrapping up graduate studies at LaSalle University in Professional and Business Communications. The marketing coordinator position was a brand new role at Danella and something that I was able to develop with the help of my coworkers.
Do you have any previous experience in construction?
Not technically, but my father owns a disposal company and a demolition company, so I grew up around equipment similar to some of the equipment Danella uses. I knew some of the terminology, but of course still encountered a learning curve when I started here. I work hard to learn as much as I can about the industry, particularly about things out in the field that I don’t get to observe everyday. The construction industry is always changing and improving. At the same time, different communications technology is continually released. The relationship between these things is a definite interest of mine.
How do you spend your days as Marketing Coordinator?
It varies from day to day and season to season. I manage the company website and social media and handle all marketing materials, making sure Danella is presented accurately and professionally. I am responsible for ordering company apparel, which hits a fever pitch in early spring and right before Christmas.
In 2017, I helped develop Danella’s Employee Recognition Program in time for the company’s 45th anniversary. We present commemorative plaques to employees celebrating milestone employment anniversaries.
Finally – and this is my pride and joy – I write and design the company newsletter, which is pretty robust. We just released our tenth issue. I have a background in newspaper writing and design – I was layout manager for my undergraduate college’s newspaper. So I apply those standards to each issue.
What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?
I am on the planning committees for several different aspects at Danella. One event we are currently planning is Danella’s Family Fun Day. Once a year, employees and their families are invited to a day of fun. This year we are going to the Phillies game, but in previous years we’ve gone to Hersheypark.
It’s still a ways off, but my work on the Christmas Committee will start soon. With the support of vendors, employees, and their families, Danella supports two schools in Philadelphia. We donate clothes, food and gifts. Before Christmas, first graders write letters to Santa, and we make sure Santa gets them. Last year the company received a lot of Facebook messages from students’ parents thanking us, which was really gratifying.
What might people be surprised to learn about the construction industry?
People might be surprised by how much the construction industry feels like a family. This is partly because Danella is very family-oriented, but even beyond that, there’s a real camaraderie within our industry. Many of the companies in our industry are family owned and operated, like Danella, which often results in employees being considered a part of the owners’ bigger family. The owners, like Jim Danella, care about their employees and their well-being—building an environment that often thrives on friendship. It’s one of the things I love most about working in the construction industry.
Last question: What are your interests outside of work?
I enjoy helping non-profits with their websites – particularly non-profits that benefit children. Two I’m working with now are basketball-oriented, which is kind of ironic because I don’t play basketball! One offers basketball camps to kids, and the other holds an annual tournament that benefits families struggling with homelessness. A third one raises education funds for children who’ve lost a parent. I love assisting them as they develop their online presence and grow their organizations.