Employee Spotlight: Sandra Guzman

As they say in scary movies, “It’s back…” The Employee Spotlight, that is! We’re back on Halloween to bring you October’s Employee Spotlight, the incredible Sandra Guzman!

Name: Sandra Guzman

Title: Director of Loan Administration

Years at Rain City: 2

What all do you do at Rain City Capital?

The four things that fall under my purview are the processing department, loan sales, quality control and compliance, and loan servicing.

Ooo and for the uninitiated, what is loan servicing?

Day-to-day stuff: billing customers and processing their payments, construction draws, processing payoffs, boarding new loans, answering customer questions, and managing NJ.

Wow, all that?! Nice. How did you come to work for Rain City?

I was working with a headhunter—I wanted to get out of banking but use the same skill set. She suggested I look at Rain City. I was a little hesitant, but I met with Pam and Fred and was impressed with their honesty and integrity—and the integrity of Rain City in general. Their $100 Mission is really great.

What’s changed since you started working here?

The growth. The biggest “wow” factor for me was when Fred brought in an executive coach for the management team. It’s a phenomenal benefit for us.

What’s another favorite thing about working for Rain City?

I know you’ve had this answer every time, but it’s true: my favorite thing is the people. I love that you can joke with people, talk casually. We didn’t have that kind of camaraderie at the bank. We have our own office puzzle for heaven’s sake—that’s awesome!

Any pet peeves in general?

My biggest pet peeve is what happened to the courtesy wave while driving!? If I let you in my lane, can’t you wave and say thanks?

Also, people who say EX-presso when they mean ESS-presso.

Good to know! So do you have any tips for a good work/life balance?

That’s very important to me. At one bank, we used to average 70 hours per week. I think that when you go home, go home. Don’t monitor your work emails.

Do you have a guilty pleasure?

[chuckles] Fuller House.

Good god. Speaking of TV… we both like to talk about our favorite geeky TV shows. Can you tell me a few of yours?

Doctor Who (of course)

Dancing with the Stars

Gilmore Girls

If you were to win a high school year book award right now, what would it be?

Class clown.

If you could travel back in time, say with a TARDIS, what advice would you give yourself?

Everything happens for a reason. I recently told a friend I wish I could go back and tell myself, “Don’t stress about it.”

What is the best, worst, or weirdest job you’ve ever had?

First job was working for my dad—toughest boss I ever had. My second job was working for a cable company—which at the time was local. I had to make delinquency calls in a small town to people I actually knew —it’s very awkward to threaten to cut off my friend’s mom’s cable.

What are the top 3 highlights of your life?

Meeting the love of my life at 52 years old.

Buying my first house as a single person at 26.

About 20 years ago, my nieces picked a day on the calendar and dedicated it as Aunt Sandi Day and to this day, give me cards and presents every Aunt Sandi Day.

And last, but not least, if you were stuck on an island with a Rain City employee, who would it be?

Fred—you’d never be bored and he would figure out a way off the island. He come up with a few dozen ways to get off the island, actually. Pam, who would make Fred’s ideas happen, and Babette, because she’d keep us laughing and make snacks.

Fred Rea, founder of Rain City Capital, had this to say about Sandra: 

“Sandra came to us running from the banking industry and we love her! Her demeanor and industry experiences bring immense value to Rain City’s loan operations team and we couldn’t do it without her! “