Ashley Zottola – HR Generalist

This month’s Employee Spotlight is…

Ashley Zottola – HR Generalist

 

1. Where did you grow up? Where do you reside now?

I grew up in a small town called Derry, Pennsylvania, and I now live in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, about 5 miles from where I grew up.
Fun facts about Latrobe, PA: It’s the birthplace and childhood home of Mr. Fred Rogers and former professional golfer Arnold Palmer. The banana split was invented in Latrobe, PA, in 1904, and Latrobe is also the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.

2. What did you want to be when you grew up (when you were child)?

I wanted to be a veterinarian.

3. What guided you into the energy efficiency industry?

In 2010, I got hired as a customer service representative for an EE company called Dollar Energy Fund (DEF) through our local electric company-First Energy. I learned so much about energy efficiency in my six years there. After that, I ended up in healthcare, where I worked for five years. When the opportunity opened at PSD for an Administrative Assistant, I realized that the job duties were similar to what I did for DEF. So, I applied. I was very excited to be back in the EE field and haven’t looked back since!

4. What does a day in the life of Ashley at PSD look like?

That’s one of the coolest parts about HR….No two days are the same! I love the variety that is my job and that it’s not monotonous or boring. A day in the life of Ashley at PSD looks like being there for our employees and being ready to assist them with anything I can or pointing them in the right direction when I can’t. I have always enjoyed helping people (which is one thing I loved so much about being in healthcare), and I feel like working in HR allows me to do that differently.

5. Our company has five core values (Integrity, Passion, Collaboration, Vision, and Making an Impact). Which of these values resonates most with you and the work you do at PSD?

This is a great question! I think the value that resonates most with me is collaboration. I love being able to work with others. I’m a people person. I enjoy working with so many folks at PSD from all levels and areas of expertise on many different topics.

6. What is your favorite PSD-related memory?

My favorite PSD memory is from our company meeting in October. When the presenters asked everyone hired from 2022 to present to stand, it was very emotional to see all the folks who I had a hand in hiring. Tears filled my eyes, and I looked at my boss and said, “We did that!” I just thought it was amazing to see how many positions we had filled and how many great people we have found for PSD in such a short time.

7. What do you do when you aren’t at work? Any interesting hobbies? 

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and making memories. I also love to read and enjoy a good game night with family and friends.

8. Do you have any pets?

We have two dogs. A dachshund named Otto and a Beagle/Jack Russell mix named Bella.

9. What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Christmas. It has always been my favorite, but now that I have little ones, it is amazing to see the magic through their eyes. I also love spending time with my family and eating delicious food, and the holiday season is filled with both those things.

10. Favorite travel destination? Or dream travel destination?

I would have to say Myrtle Beach, SC, not because it’s the most ­luxurious or tropical destination, but because it’s so special to me. We have been going there for vacation as a family every summer since 2008, and it’s just something that we all look forward to each year. It feels like a second home to me.

11. Favorite musician/genre?

When it comes to music, I do not discriminate. My playlists are all over the place. I love all music, however, my go-to would have to be either 90’s alternative or 80’s pop.

12. What’s the top item that is still on your bucket list? Have you checked anything cool or fun off?

To go on a honeymoon to an all-inclusive resort. Somewhere with white sands and blue waters! My husband and I did not go on a honeymoon, so I would love to be able to do that someday.

13. What is an interesting thing about yourself that not a lot of people know?

I was in the FFA (Future Farmers of America) growing up. The school I went to had an agricultural/ horticultural program, and I was enrolled in horticulture for all four years of my senior high. I competed all over the US in different floral design competitions and even competed in resume and interview competitions. It’s crazy to think that those skills were so closely related to HR, and I didn’t find myself in an HR career until almost 20 years later.

Thank you, Ashley! We appreciate you taking the time to do this and are excited to have people get to know a little more about our employees here at PSD.