Carissa Nolasco

est. January 2013

Listen. I can’t over state this. Carissa is essential.  She is at once the glue and the WD40 that keeps i/A together and squeak-free.  More than just a receptionist, an accountant, or an office manager, she’s probably best described as the conductor of our daily operational orchestra.  We’re a big group of creatives and it takes a special kind of person to tame our brand of energy.  So without further ado – here she is…

Describe in a few sentences your role at i/A.
I’m not really sure I have one specific role…  I do everything from handling finances and office ins/outs to organizing a baby shower or going to watch an employee try on wedding dresses!

As office manager, what do you value most in your position at i/A?
I really value the fact that I enjoy coming to work every day.  I consider everyone here a part of my family and I am always interested in what is going on in their lives.  I have known most of them for years and am lucky enough to be Godmother to one of the most precious little boys in the world.   I love that I have gotten to see this firm grow more and more each year and have been very fortunate to have played a part in that.

What has surprised you most about working at i/A?
Honestly?  Probably that I work every day with my husband and am still excited to spend time with him in the evenings.  Somehow we have managed to keep our work lives and personal lives separate.  He has always been and continues to be my best friend.

What are you most passionate about professionally? Personally?
Professionally I am most passionate about researching opportunities/changes that benefit us as a firm.  As we continue to grow we need to stay on top of our business practices and focus on keeping our clients and employees happy.  Personally, I am most passionate about my family. I was fortunate enough to stay home with my kids and be involved in their day to day lives as well as any activities they were involved in.  Now that they are older I have to find that line between being too involved and giving them a little freedom.  I am not very good at the freedom part!  It has been a difficult transition to say the least!  I also consider myself very blessed to have been raised in a very close family.  I am extremely close to my mom, sisters, brother, nieces and nephew along with many other members of my family.

Do you see any interesting trends in the architecture or construction industries?
I may be the office manager of an architecture firm, but the architecture and construction sides are not my specialty.  I leave that to the talented people we have hired.  One trend I have noticed has been in the residential field… It seems more people are choosing to remodel an existing property versus building a new construction.

Tell us three things that most people do not know about you…
That’s a hard one because there is not too much everyone doesn’t know about me.  I am deathly afraid of clowns.  I love the water but can’t swim a lick.  I studied pre-law at UK.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Southeastern Kentucky – specifically a town called Garner.  We moved to the big city of Hindman when I was 16.  I moved to Lexington at the age of 18 after graduating high school.

Where did you go to school/college?
Hindman Elementary, Knott Central High School, University of Kentucky.

Do you have any short term or long term goals?
My short term goal would be to continue to educate myself a little more in the business field.  The Long term goal would be to own a house on a beautiful, quiet beach – before I get too old to enjoy it!

If you could be famous for anything what would that be?
I really don’t have any desire to be famous but if I could be known for anything it would be that I made a difference in someone’s life for the better.

Do you have any hobbies or interests?
I love to read, travel and on pretty evenings sit outside and listen to music.

What is a funny story about yourself?
Thanks to Joey most people already know this but I can’t ride a bike.  The last time I tried we were on vacation in South Carolina and I ended up slowly falling over into some bushes trying to ride down the sidewalk.  Not my most graceful moment.

Do you volunteer? If so, what is the cause and what about it makes you want to volunteer for it?
I love to volunteer at the Hope Center and would like to become more involved in that.

What is your most memorable facepalm moment?
I don’t know what a facepalm is :)
(Editor’s Note: It sounds like anything involving a bicycle would be face-palm worthy)

Do you have any nicknames?
Crissie
(Editor’s Note: Go ahead and add “Yes Ma’am”)

What occupation did you want to have as a kid?
Criminal Prosecuting Attorney

Do you have any interesting items on your desk and what’s the story behind it?
I use a mouse pad that my son made at least 10 years ago.

Thanks for all your hard work, Carissa! As a sign of our appreciation, we’ll just leave this right down here….