When you’re the first point of contact and public face of an organization, you’d better be ready. You can’t really be in a bad mood while greeting clients and supporting staff.

Fortunately, that’s not a problem for Lila Harkoff. She loves the job, the people and the place, and it shows in her spirit every day at Somerville.

Lila considers the Somerville team an extension of her family – different personalities all working toward the same goals, genuinely caring for each other and the clients along the way.

Twenty years of office problem-solving experience comes in handy when you’re responsible for everything from unjamming copiers and ordering supplies to handling the extensive paperwork involved in a project’s bid process, along with time sheets and payroll, vehicle support, mail … it’s probably easier just to list what Lila doesn’t do. Never a dull day in Lila’s world.

After growing up in the region, she ran offices in real estate and other industries and previously managed one of the first LEED buildings in Charlotte, North Carolina. That experience in the eco-friendly realm aligns well with the growing popularity of LEED work in this region. Happy to be back in the area with a dog, a fiancé and a new RV, Lila genuinely feels good about coming into work every day.

In this role, she’s constantly picking up new skills – often learning by doing – and brings endless positivity (with the help of a bit of caffeine when needed).

She runs a tight ship, keeping everyone on task, ensuring all I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed and ensuring employees have what they need and are doing what they need to do.

It’s called rolling with the punches. And Lila excels at it.