"Numbers Are My Thing." Jane Harms Counts Her Blessings Across 30 Years at Paulsen

As Jane Harms reflects on her 30-year work anniversary, the Chief Financial Officer at Paulsen notes she has enjoyed every minute of her dual roles in finance and human resources. "People need to have a reason to get out of bed," she says. "I feel like my reason is pretty clear: I'm going to make this the best place it can be as long as I'm here." 

Jane is proud of the legacy she's been able to shepherd over the past three decades. "The fact that we remain a very financially stable agency after 75 years is important," she says. "Very few companies make it past a second or third generation, and yet here we are." 

That sustained success is a testament to the people-first orientation she found at Paulsen from the moment she arrived 30 years ago. "We think about culture first, and that is something that has stayed the same. We value our own people and we value building relationships with our clients."

When she's not crunching numbers at Paulsen, Jane shoots pool. A lot of pool. So much pool that she frequently challenges for the top spot in local and regional billiards tournaments.

The parallel nature of those two pursuits is not lost on her. In billiards, being able to work with numbers — angles, force, etc. — is the name of the game. So is seeing the pool table one, two or even three turns into the future. All of this connects to something deep within for Jane. "It's a numbers game. And that's my thing," she says. "Numbers are my thing." 

"My brain is wired differently," she adds. "But I use the gifts God has given me, and I love the work I do every day for that reason." 

In the past couple of years, Jane has overseen the implementation of several new software systems for everything from payroll to project management to accounting. "This is all to ensure we're prepared for the future," says Jane. "It's a lot of work, but it's worth the time to research and ensure that the person who takes over for me will be in a good place to be successful — and for Paulsen to be successful — for years to come." 

"There are a lot of moving pieces within an agency, but we're fortunate to have had Jane for the past 30 years to help anchor us in sound financial decision-making," says Paulsen President & CEO Marcus Squier. "That sort of trusted foundation puts us in a good position as we continually seek to grow as a company." 

Jane feels immense gratitude for the ways she has grown professionally throughout her tenure at Paulsen. "I've been lucky that I've been mentored by a lot of great people who have helped me along the way," she says. "It's a close-knit community. I have learned that if you treat people with respect and kindness, everything will work out in the end."