Consultant Spotlight: Chris Carrero
We are thrilled to highlight our Senior Project Manager, Chris Carrero. Chris has been a valuable part of ArcLight Consulting since August 2023. Read the full interview below to learn more about Chris’s expertise, his passion for his work, and how he helps his clients thrive.
Hometown: Mahwah, NJ
Alma Mater: St. John’s University
Favorite things to do outside of the office: As an avid fisherman, I take great pleasure in catching diverse species of fish. Over the years, I have fished in numerous locations across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, ranging from Newfoundland to Maine and Cabo St. Lucas. My preferred method of fishing is using artificial lures, and I always practice CPR, which stands for Catch, Photograph, and Release. In addition, I take pride in being a member of Trout Unlimited, an organization that recognizes the significance of conserving healthy and intact habitats for fishing opportunities.
How has your background impacted your experience as a consultant? Throughout my career, I have gained experience in diverse industries such as Fashion, Travel and Tourism, and Big 4 consulting. This varied background has provided me with a distinctive viewpoint, enabling me to identify uncommon scenarios and potential risks that might have gone unnoticed otherwise.
What’s a typical workday like for you? As a parent of two young children, my day usually starts with one of them jumping on my bed, often when it’s still dark outside. After preparing them for school, I begin my workday by checking my email. As a Project Manager, I spend a significant portion of my day attending meetings, sometimes lasting up to six hours back-to-back. The rest of my time is spent following up on action items, assessing risks and issues, and documenting decisions. My day typically ends with reviewing more emails, scheduling more meetings, and performing other administrative tasks like budget and expense reviews.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work every day? Every day, my family brings me light, laughter, and joy. They remind me that a positive attitude is key in good and bad times and constantly make me smile.
What kind of work have you been doing? My current project is a payroll optimization project. I help clients by organizing, directing, and coordinating project work. I also manage project resources, assess project performance, and maintain relationships with all project stakeholders.
Where did you deliver the most value to your client? I deliver the most value to the client by optimizing communication. Projects that lack proper communication channels are vulnerable to difficulties and often result in failure. Clear and frequent communication is crucial for any project to ensure that all decisions are made with the most accurate information available at the time. As a project manager, I take responsibility for ensuring that all parties involved have access to this information.
What’s your process? Strategic project management and technology implementation can effectively support a company’s growth and financial processes. During my time at a consulting firm that was rapidly expanding, I was given the task of addressing the limitations of our finance and accounting software. To achieve this, we launched a comprehensive project that defined the scope, allocated a budget, and brought together a cross-functional team. Our strategy involved implementing an ERP system, along with extensive training. Despite facing challenges and resistance, the result was notable – a streamlined, real-time financial infrastructure that empowered our users and significantly improved the efficiency and decision-making capabilities of the firm.
