Get to Know AR Specialist Clara Echeverri

In this Team Member Spotlight, we’re featuring Clara Echeverri, Accounts Receivable (AR) Specialist.

Clara joined the sales support team at Bay Food Brokerage in 2020. In 2022, she was promoted to AR Specialist. Since then, she’s worked hard to enhance the operations of our accounting department. 

In her current role, Clara ensures our company receives the correct commission payments from our vendors. In her day-to-day, she works on reconciliations of commission payments, sending invoices and statement requests to vendors, sending collections emails, making sure our internal system receives the correct information from purchase orders received from vendors, and keeping record of received payments.

“Clara has become an intricate part of our team and the Bay Food family,” said Bay Food Brokerage President and CEO Cammie Chatterton. “We enjoy her immensely and are always learning about gardening, pet care and so many other things that she is very knowledgeable about.”

Keep reading to learn more about Clara’s professional background, time at Bay Food and personal interests.

Working at Bay Food Brokerage 

What do you like most about your current role and/or working at Bay Food Brokerage?

I like the job schedule flexibility and the camaraderie that we have as a team. Each day has its own challenges, and it keeps the day interesting; no days are alike. There is always something new to learn or some mystery to solve.

What do you consider your biggest success at Bay Food Brokerage, so far?

I consider that my biggest success at Bay Food Brokerage is the improvement that we have had in the AR department: the reconciliation process, invoicing process and collections are now established, organized and standardized as much as possible.

What’s your favorite memory from working at Bay Food Brokerage?

My favorite memory was my first Christmas party at the Chattertons’. It was so nice to see everyone together with their families and sharing this beautiful time of the year. It reminded me of our home Christmas reunions back in Colombia, when all our family was celebrating together and made me feel that I had a family now to celebrate with.

If you’ve worked at Bay Food Brokerage for more than a few years, how has the company changed and evolved since you were hired?

Bay Food is an exceptional company; it keeps growing and expanding. It’s amazing to see that since I started in November 2020 in sales support until now, we have hired eight more employees for the Tampa office only, not counting all the new hires for the retail team.

Clara’s Career Path

Can you tell us a little bit about your career and educational/professional background?

I have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance front Medellin-Colombia EAFIT University. Since my graduation, I have been working in different industries and different positions. I have banking, products, services sales, import-export, logistics, construction and retail management experience.

I’ve worked with international companies, family-owned companies and as an independent business owner. This has provided me with a variety of knowledge and experience that let me take over almost any job task that has come my way.

What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received, and why?

Clear accounting, long relationships. When you are dealing with money, you should always have a very clear accountability of each penny. This will help keep good relationships with your internal and external customers.

Personal Fun Facts

What are some of your personal hobbies outside of work?

I enjoy a lot of hobbies. I like photography, arts and crafts, watercolor painting, reading, sudoku and jigsaw puzzles, gardening, golfing, swimming, horseback riding, and riding the bicycle, to name a few.

Care to tell us about your family?

I’m the youngest of 10 children. I had four brothers (two no longer with us) and five sisters. My dad was a general practitioner doctor and had his own private practice. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, very creative and always busy sewing and doing any kind of arts and crafts. She used to make clothing for orphaned children and donate it to a convent.

Now, I’m happily married to my sweet husband, Lou. He has two children and five grandchildren. And, we have two cats at home that keep us busy and entertained. We play golf together whenever we have a chance.

What are some small things that make your day better?

A small thing that makes my day is to see the deer and ducks in our backyard in the morning requesting their corn.

Lightning Round 

What’s your favorite:

Food or Cuisine: Italian

Movie: I enjoy all of them, no favorite

Song: We are the Champions (Queen)

Place: Home

Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie)