Employee Spotlight | Meet APM Logistics Operations Specialist, Michelle Bender

This month’s #EmployeeSpotlight features APM Logistics Operations Specialist, Michelle Bender! Michelle began working at APM in 2001, bringing an impressive 25 years of dedication, and has since become an invaluable leader, notably overhauling her billing workflow system to significantly improve accuracy and turnaround time.

Michelle is renowned for her collaborative nature, always ready to team up and solve complex challenges. Her drive to consistently streamline processes makes her incredibly results-oriented, constantly boosting efficiency for our Tool Center operations. Above all, Michelle's profound resilience shines through, allowing her to navigate personal and professional journeys with remarkable grace and determination, inspiring us all.

Check out the below to get Michelle's perspective on APM and what it entails:

Q: What initially surprised you about working at APM? 

I was impressed by the team’s collective spirit. I initially expected a standard professional environment, but I discovered a group that is genuinely collaborative and committed to one another’s growth. It’s rare to find such a high-performing team that is also so approachable and helpful.

Q: What energizes you at work? 

 I am most energized by the fast-paced nature of outage season. I enjoy the engagement with our field personnel. The constant, real-time communication is what keeps us aligned and ensures we are delivering the best results under pressure.

Q: What is your proudest moment with APM? 

My proudest APM achievement was overhauling my billing workflow system. By identifying redundancy and implementing a more streamlined approach to the process, I significantly improved both accuracy and turnaround time for billing.

This achievement not only showed her keen eye for efficiency but also her commitment to continuous improvement, a quality she credits to a mentor's influence.

Q: What do you like most about working with APM?

  I have found that no matter the challenge, there is always someone willing to collaborate and share their knowledge to get the job done.

Q: What's a non-work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of? 

 My proudest accomplishment is undoubtedly my daughter, Dakota. Watching her navigate her own path and succeed has been the most rewarding experience.

Q: What is a fun fact or something people might be surprised to learn about you? 

Something that might surprise you is, I am living with Cancer. My journey that started 5 years ago has been instrumental in shaping how I approach my personal and professional challenges.

 Michelle's incredible strength and positive outlook are truly inspiring, reflecting her personal mantra: "Driven by purpose, grounded in family."

Michelle also shared some valuable advice for those considering a career with APM: The nature of our work is demanding, but you’re never doing it alone. My advice is to lean into the team around you. We succeed by lifting each other up and sharing the load. If you stay collaborative, humble, and willing to learn from your peers, you’ll find that you can accomplish things far beyond what you could do on your own.

Her words are a powerful reminder of the supportive culture we strive to foster every day at APM.

Beyond her professional achievements, Michelle cherishes her time with family and friends, especially her first grandchild. Her strength, both personal and professional, and her vibrant spirit truly enrich our APM family.

Please join us in celebrating Michelle Bender – for her unwavering commitment, her inspiring resilience, and her incredible contributions to APM. We are truly fortunate to have her on our team! Thank you, Michelle, for everything you do.