This August marks 22 years in business! Each year we celebrate this event (which we refer to as LaSallemas) by giving out two annual awards: “Making It Happen” and “LaSallian of the Year.” This year, we’ve added a third, the “People’s Choice” award.
Below, we recognize and celebrate the 2020 winners, and share what it takes to be selected for each title.
Making it Happen: Rob Trzcinski
The “Making it Happen” award goes to the LaSallian who doesn’t take no for an answer, and doesn’t let anything get in their way. They overcome great challenges to produce incredible results, knocking down walls and barriers to help grow the Briefcase. Please join us in a round of applause for our 2020 “Making it Happen” winner, Rob Trzcinski!
What do you do at LaSalle?
I am currently a Major Account Manager for our sales team and have been here 12 years as of November 2020.
Describe the moment your name was announced. How did you feel?
I felt two main things – 1) love and appreciation for my wife, as Tom said I can be rough/tough, and she endures more of it than anyone for sure. 2) Thankful – thankful Tom, Maureen, and Lauren gave me a shot at sales and a chance to work my tail off to earn something.
What does this award mean to you?
This means we have much work to do and it is an opportunity for us all to push each other harder. I am a West Wing fan, and as Martin Sheen’s character “the President” and his team famously say, ‘what’s next?’ We are enjoying the moment and at the same time staying focused on “what’s next!”
What have you accomplished in the past year that you are particularly proud of?
While I don’t like to look at personal accomplishments, in the last 365 days we’ve had consecutive quarter over quarter growth, even during quarantine. While it’s easy to say ‘hey one client did this or drove this etc.’ you can’t achieve that without balance and diversity in your client base. Seeing the hard work of countless weekly plans of attack coming to fruition is something I’m excited about.
Why are you proud to be a LaSallian?
I am proud to be a LaSallian because this is a family I’ll go to business war with every day – good, bad, mediocre – it doesn’t matter. We’re all in this together and I wake up proud to be here every day!
What’s one thing you learned from working from home/quarantine?
Three things: This has been a chance to get to know your clients on a whole other level, a plan to keep yourself focused is all that much more important now…and my wife and I drink a ton of coffee.
LaSallian of the Year: Katie Knotts
The “LaSallian of the Year” epitomizes LaSalle’s culture. They’re friendly, passionate, hardworking and a true team player. They are always happy to help a teammate out or go an extra mile for a client. The “LaSallian of the Year” loves what they do, where they work, and are an essential member of our team. Please join us in a round of applause for this year’s winner, Katie Knotts!
What do you do at LaSalle?
I’m one of the team leads on Research! I’ve been here a little over four years and I’ve been on the same team the whole time. I’m lucky I landed in the right place off the bat and haven’t had to move around to find my “home” here.
Describe the moment your name was called. How did you feel?
Truely, so excited. This team has lifted me up and helped me through so much of quarantine; it’s so special to think I’ve been able to share this with other folks on the team.
What does this award mean to you?
I remember my first LaSallemas in 2016, when I’d been here a month and didn’t know anyone and hadn’t learned yet that I could be my whole, weird, nerd self here. I was so impressed by how much it meant to the person who won it then. I’m so thankful to be in a place where being yourself is not only recognized and celebrated, but it is also encouraging to the rest of the team.
What have you accomplished in the past year that you are particularly proud of?
This past year I was promoted to team lead and it’s easily the thing I’m proudest of. It’s not about the title, but about the trust from leadership that they knew how I could lift up this team long before I did.
Why are you proud to be a LaSallian?
We talk about this all the time but being a LaSallian is about being your whole self at work. It’s begging for ghost stories and rallying the team to start a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Krisi said this to me, that the more you can be your full self, the more you can bring to the table. It’s so true.
What’s one thing you learned from working from home/quarantine?
Lean on your people! I live alone and none of my family is in the Chicago area, so quarantine has been really tough. When I’ve needed a boost (and that has been often), I’ve been honest with the team and they’ve always come through. Then, when I’m on the upswing, I can share that with whomever needs a boost that day. It’s true that “a rising tide lifts all boats.”
People’s Choice: Nico Emery
This year we added a new award, the “People’s Choice” award, that was voted on by the people! LaSallians submitted their votes on who they’d want on their team. This LaSallian is a team player, prioritizes collaboration, and showcases our 3Es: education, empathy and empowerment. Please join us in a round of applause for this year’s winner, Nico Emery!
What do you do at LaSalle?
I am a Business Development Manager and have been with LaSalle just over 2 years. My first 8 months I started on the Research team before I decided I wanted a change and interviewed for sales… the rest is history.
Describe the moment your name was called. How did you feel?
When Tom said I was the winner of PCA for the very first year of having this award I immediately turned red and was speechless, which if you know me, is pretty rare… I was overcome with joy and honor. To be voted by the majority of my peers was really special. It felt overwhelming to know that people saw me as someone they want to take to battle with them, because I really would take all of them with me. We really have the best team so to know people felt that about me was very rewarding.
What does this award mean to you?
It means a lot to me. I can’t think of a word that would even express how much. It just means a lot to me that my peers view me as highly as I view them.
What have you accomplished in the past year that you are particularly proud of?
In the past year I have been promoted twice. That feels like an accomplishment to me, because not only do I work for a company that allows me to continue to grow professionally but that I have pushed myself to exceed the benchmarks to do so.
Why are you proud to be a LaSallian?
I am proud to be a LaSallian because it is more than just a company. We don’t just work harder than any other group of people, we also are a tight knit group outside of the (metaphorical) office. We become a part of each other’s lives and create lasting bonds and friendships. In the last few months alone, I have had some family health issues, lost a father and made a decision to move across the country. LaSalle as a company and each of my friends within it have supported me through every peak and valley. I’m constantly proud to be a LaSallian because I know it means being a good, caring, honest person.
What’s one thing you learned from working from home/quarantine?
You don’t actually have to cheers your laptop during a virtual happy hour…. take it from the girl who had to buy a new laptop after spilling a drink at a virtual happy hour with clients.
These LaSallians, as well as more than 200 others, are eager to work with you! Get connected with our team here.
