2008 recipient

Amy Gurren, an administrative manager with Dorfman-Robbie, CPAs, P.C., an accounting firm based in Albany, NY, is the winner of the 2008 OfficeTeam Administrative Excellence Award.

Gurren was selected from more than 300 nominations received from North American companies. The 11-member selection committee was impressed by her initiative, leadership abilities, focus on the bottom line and commitment to professional development.

For instance, prior to the onset of this year’s tax season, Gurren developed more concise forms to facilitate client documentation of tax papers, reducing the intensity of the work for the firm’s administrative staff. She also helped the company achieve cost savings by recommending in-house continuing education programs rather than participation in out-of-town conferences.

“My best advice to other administrative professionals is to never settle for ‘average,’” said Gurren. “Be a shining star. Be proud and take ownership of your work. If you do, management — as well as others in the organization — will notice.”

Dorfman-Robbie marketing director Mazie McMahon, who nominated Gurren for the award, noted the value of Gurren’s work as a member of the organization’s information technology and database committees. “[Her] suggestions have helped others on the committee develop a new system in which changes to our database will be communicated throughout the firm more efficiently, thereby saving money on mailings generated by many different departments,” McMahon said.

Gurren accepted a leadership position within the company when she joined the firm’s coaching staff. According to McMahon, Gurren earned respect in her role through her ability to foster rapport between work teams and management. Education is a high priority for Gurren. “The administrative profession continues to evolve, and support staff must seek ways to learn new skills, whether by attending a seminar, taking part in a webinar or networking with other administrative professionals,” she said.

Gurren holds the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) designations, and is currently enrolled in the Qualified Administrative Assistant (QAA) program.

When asked what advice she had for busy professionals trying to find time for ongoing education, Gurren noted the importance of making yourself a priority. “Someone once said, ‘You can’t move forward if you’re standing still.’ I am a true believer in this statement,” she said. “I have learned that in order to take yourself to the next level, you have to commit the time to developing your professional skills.”

In addition to demonstrating drive on the job, Gurren has become an active leader outside her firm. She is a board member and vice president of the Capital District Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and chairperson of its ways and means committee. She also is a member of the planning committee for IAAP’s New York State Division meeting.

Gurren was honored on April 22, 2008, at the SkillSoft Annual Briefing for Administrative Professionals, a live, interactive training event for support staff, held in Oakland, Calif. She received an extensive prize package and will attend the IAAP International Convention and Education Forum July 27-30, 2008, in New Orleans.