Meet Metropolis . . . Karen Canlon, 2017 Employee of the Year

This article continues our series on the men and women who make magic happen here at Metropolis Group. If you would like to recommend someone for a future employee spotlight, please email us with your nomination and let us know why you love working with this team member.

Karen Canlon
Project Manager

Metropolis Team Member Since . . . May 2004

Industry Experience

Karen started her expediting career in 1987, when she started working for a small expediting firm. “I was looking for something different, something I could grow into,” she said. “The work was exciting and interesting, and it turned into a career.”

Karen learned all aspects of the filing process, as well as field work. After four years, a former colleague enticed her to join a larger code consulting firm. She worked on increasingly complex projects, deepening her knowledge, developing new departments and training staff, all while applying her managerial skills.

Three decades later, Karen still loves the fast-paced industry and her role as project manager. The Staten Island native thrives under the pressure of deadlines and the challenge of keeping up with changing procedures. “It’s never the same, and I’m always learning,” says Karen.

Role at Metropolis

As a project manager, Karen serves as the primary contact for various clients in Manhattan, obtaining all required information and preparing the project for filing, approval and permit. Her dual strengths as both a team player and a self-starter contributed to her selection as the 2017 Employee of the Year.

Karen’s success stems largely from her strong client relationships. Project team members have confidence in her ability to find solutions to their challenges. “The approval process can get complicated,” she admits. “Metropolis works closely with our clients to make the process as smooth as possible.”

Penny Laughlin, Director of Operations at Metropolis, commended Karen for her commitment to customer service and her attention to detail. “Karen is very thorough in her projects and never misses a detail,” she says. “With her extensive industry experience, she can pinpoint potential hurdles at the start of a project.”

Favorite Project

While most of her projects carry an element of fun, Karen recently enjoyed the challenge of working on a residential building at 41 Greenwich Avenue. The project involved a gut renovation of a townhouse, converting the mixed-use property to a two-family dwelling on the upper floors. “The people on the project were very professional and friendly. It was a challenge, but working closely with my team, I learned a lot, and we secured the necessary approvals and permits.”

Best Part of the Job

“I love the freedom of my job and our hands-on role in construction projects. I get to establish a relationship with the clients and interact with all the team members here to get the job done. My fellow employees and management are very respectful towards me and are always available to answer any questions. It’s exciting to be part of a growing company.”

Not-So-Hidden Talent

“I’ve always been a self-starter who takes the initiative. People have pointed out that I need very little supervision and can work on complex projects. I do tend to work independently, but I’m also a team player and enjoy learning from my colleagues.”