This week we sat with Martha Razo, Vice President at Guero’s Pallets to ask her a few questions and learn about her role at Guero’s Pallets.
1. How long have you been at Guero’s Pallets?
I used to help around when I was younger cleaning the pallet company along with my mom. I also organized and picked up bundles of boards and stringers that were knocked down. I started to officially work in the summer of 2013 when I was in college. I cut wood using the saw machine. I have been at Guero’s Pallets for about 6 years now.
2. How did you become Vice President at Guero’s Pallets?
Lots of experience and learning everyday. My first summer of college I was cutting stringers and deck boards using the saw machine. By my second year of college, about February 2014 I realized my dad, President at Guero’s Pallets needed more help in the office. I also figured that I could benefit the company in better ways. Thus, I took on the job as a secretary and the bookkeeping role. I learned how to use quickbooks to keep all accounts payable and accounts receivable organized. I even became Quickbooks Pro Certified. Later in 2015 I began to manage accounts and help in dispatching drivers and coordinating their routes to optimize the number of loads that were delivered daily. Having a math degree, I was always thrilled to analyze reports and set financial goals for the company. In 2016 I began formulating and implementing strategic planning to increase sales and expand the business. I was involved in the purchase of our first owned property. We moved from a small warehouse we rented into an almost 3 acre property that allowed for Guero’s Pallets expansion and that is about the time I became Vice President.
3. What do you do at Guero’s pallets as VP?
As VP, my main role is making sure that the company goes in the right direction from the financial aspects to the logistics. Guero’s Pallets is a family company so I get to wear many hats. I help in marketing such as web development. I also manage accounts, oversee operations and logistics pertaining the routing of drivers and making sure loads get delivered on time. There’s days I’m focusing a lot on market research. Beyond that, most days I’m troubleshooting, solving supply chain problems like making sure we have enough wood for an order, making sure our trucks are repaired and ready. I oversee accounts payable and accounts receivables. I also create solutions for our customers to assure their pallet needs are met. If I have to take a delivery myself I will and have done so in the past to make sure our customers’ businesses keep running and don't have pallet problems. Furthermore, as VP I develop business and financial plans and create forecasting models using statistics tools to assure sales and profit goals are met.
4. What education preparation do you have?
I graduated from Illinois Institute of Technology in 2016 with a Bachelors and Masters in applied mathematics with a concentration in statistics.
5. What challenges do you face?
One of the challenges I face is sometimes I am undermined because I am so young and
a woman. The pallet industry continues to be dominated by men, but that gives me more motivation to continue learning and growing as a pallet entrepreneur. I am very passionate about pallets and knowledge. Another problem I face is theft of assets such as trailers. Trailers and other assets are constantly being stolen. Just this year alone we’ve had 3 trailers stolen. I am constantly analyzing and testing different technologies to protect our assets. Currently, all
of our semi trucks and trailers have GPS trackers on them. Moreover we have a security system on our property. I highly advise all pallet companies incorporate gps systems on their trucks and trailers as well. I make sure to file a police report when assets are stolen and keep cameras and tracking systems on trucks. Also, keeping all records of trucks and trailers on file in a secure place.
6. What do you like to do in your free time Martha? In my free time on the weekends I like to go fishing with Angelo, my 2 year old son and my
husband and my little brother. I also like going to breakfast places. I highly recommend Egg
Headz in Tinley Park. I love dancing, unfortunately I don’t get to do it a lot.