Getting to Know HJMT’s Senior VP, Kristie Koppe Galvani

Kristie Galvani is HJMT’s Senior Vice President. She has been with the firm for almost 9 years. She started off as an office assistant and has worked her way up to account executive, senior account executive, account supervisor, VP client services, and now Senior Vice President.

Want to get to know Kristie a little better? Check out her answers to the following questions…

How did you first hear about HJMT?
I attend a broadcasting convention in NYC. One of HJMT’s past employees was on a panel. I was really interested in HJMT and everything they did. They seemed to offer so many different elements on PR. I went over to the employee afterwards, introduced myself and got Hilary’s email. After a few months of emailing and calling (and almost giving up) I finally secured myself an interview. Soon after I landed the job.

What was your first job?
Well besides from babysitting, my first job was working at a convenient store handling the lottery machine. Wow, did that teach me a lot about dealing with people and being very careful. Let me just say people were not the nicest if you made a mistake on their lotto numbers.

Are you married? Any kids?
I’ve been married to my husband, Darren for about 3 1/2 years. We are expecting our first child (it’s a boy) this January.

What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to ski. I’ve been skiing since I have been able to walk. I’ve ski almost everywhere on both the east and west coast. My favorite resorts are Vail and Copper, both in Colorado. Otherwise I enjoy entertaining and spending time with family and friends. As of late I have been spending most of time buying a house. My husband and I are in the middle of closing on a house. It’s been a long process but it should be coming to a close soon.

List some of you favorites:
Food – Pizza and right now just about everything (I am pregnant)
Movie – Gone with the Wind, The Notebook, Wedding Crashers
Music – I have a really broad taste in music. My iPod goes from Billy Joel to Dixie Chicks to Barenaked Ladies to Britney Spears
Sport – Right now I like to watch Football. Go Big Blue!
TV Show – 24, Lost, and Sex in the City

Where was your most recent vacation?
Disney World last March for my 30th birthday. It was so wonderful I think I want to move to Disney World.

What was the most recent book you read?
“What to expect when your expecting” and “Everything you ever wanted to know about social media but were afraid to ask.”

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I actually love Long Island and would probably stay here but in a much nicer house and I would also have a few vacation homes – one in Colorado, Key West FL, and of course one at Disney.

Do you have any special talents?
I do but I can’t give it away. Sorry

If you could pick anyone for President who would it be?
President David Palmer (President on Fox’s 24) and I would be Vice President.

What’s a typical day like as a Senior VP?
I love this question. As a senior VP I handle new business development and firm growth. The fun part is my day is never the same. One day I will go on a new business meeting, work on monthly projected revenue budget, attend a speaking gig to sell copies of Hilary’s book and work on a new podcast schedule and the next day I may regroup with the staff to strategize about clients, review our monthly activity reports, develop a proposal for a potential client, make about 20 follow up calls for new business, and talk with a few clients. I also update the HJMT Facebook page and check out 200 emails a day.

I do have a blog – https://shakingupsalesstrategies.blogspot.com/ about my sales successes, failures and challenges. I think it’s kind of interesting especially if you are in sales.

What’s your favorite part about HJMT?
I love that everyday is a new challenge. Every day brings something different, something new, and something exciting. I get to meet tons of new people and have developed some great relationships with the HJMT team, clients and other business friends.

What are you doing tonight after work?
Going to JC Penny’s to return maternity clothes that I ordered online, then checking out some dining room furniture, going home, heating up leftovers for dinner, watching How I Met Your Mother, checking out my baby registry online, and probably playing on Facebook. Okay I’ll be honest, that is what I hope to accomplish but I probably won’t get out of work until about 7:00 (by choice cause I’m addicted to my job) and will want to go home, lay on the couch, and do nothing.