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Over the past 25 years, Valerie Lee Troyer has risen through the ranks of the building industry to become CFO for a major HVAC and plumbing contractor in the Portland area.

She understands the necessity of keeping an eye on the numbers, while also maintaining an open office door as well as open lines of communication for the 50 employees who work at Hydro-Temp Mechanical. The company is a major contractor in the Portland-metro area and works on projects that include hospitals, schools, and public and commercial buildings. In her 10 years with Hydro-Temp, she has helped direct company growth, resulting in a doubling of the company’s revenue from the previous decade.

Her guidance has been a key element in keeping company executives on track, directing reinvestment in Hydro-Temp and working to improve the careers of Hydro-Temp’s employees. Her leadership also has allowed the company to remain on the cutting edge of a dynamic industry.

She regularly takes new employees under her wing. Rather than issue orders, she patiently explains tasks and operating procedures in a way that allows workers to understand the process. Encouraging questions and offering an ear to listen to concerns have allowed her to forge relationships with, and gain greater cooperation from, the company’s employees.

She also is an advocate for continued training related to certifications and qualifying ratings, and actively helps those interested in moving into management positions search out professional education opportunities and financial assistance.