Jess Montgomerie has been a valued member of the Ahrens team for over 13 years, starting her journey with the company as part of a university work experience placement in 2011. Growing up near Ahrens’ Kingsford site, Jess was familiar with Ahrens through her family’s farming background. Her grandfather Kevin Hahesy is the stepson of Frank Coleman, our first ever shed client in the 1950’s, and the family have continued the relationship with Ahrens since.
Jess’s role has recently evolved from managing the finance team to focussing on project costing and supporting key divisions such as Construction and Mining. By working closely with project managers and divisional leaders, Jess ensures budgets, costs and margins are effectively managed to deliver better outcomes. “Developing an understanding of the non-financial aspects of a project allows better communications between us in finance and project managers on site, hopefully making both of our jobs easier,” she says.
Jess takes pride in breaking down financial concepts into practical, accessible terms for colleagues at all levels. “I enjoy finding new ways to talk finance in terms that make sense to a broader range of people. Taking a proactive approach helps all of us make more informed decisions,” she explains. Her ability to build strong working relationships with a wide variety of people and her down-to-earth communication style have earned Jess a reputation as an invaluable team player.
A career highlight for Jess was her work integrating Ahrens Eastern (now D&C NSW) into the Ahrens accounting framework after its acquisition in 2017. Over several years, she travelled between South Australia and Sydney, training teams on new processes and setting them up for future success. This was a challenging yet rewarding experience that showcased her adaptability and dedication.
Beyond the workplace, Jess enjoys a busy life in the Barossa Valley with her husband Sam, who also works at Ahrens as a Project Manager, and their two-year-old daughter. She serves as President of the South Gawler Netball Club, balancing her professional life with her love for community involvement.
Looking ahead, Jess is focussed on continuing to develop into her new role by improving finance and reporting at an operational level. “At Ahrens, there’s always an opportunity to grow and take on new challenges. I love the diversity of the business and being able to learn different types of work,” she says.
“Aside from that, the social aspect is really fun. I’ve got so many good memories from over the years.”
Jess’s positive attitude and vast knowledge of our systems makes her a key contributor to our success as a business. Her journey at Ahrens is a great reflection of the company’s commitment to fostering growth through collaboration and innovation.
