Employee Spotlight: Sarah Wichman
Before you get anywhere near Dave Drachman or Julie Piton,
you first have to make it by Sarah Wichman, gatekeeper and executive assistant extraordinaire. While she may look sweet and unassuming, don’t be fooled. An Ohio native, Sarah built some substantial muscle scooping ice cream during Cincinnati Reds games. Faced with frostbitten fingers, Sarah opted to hang up her scoop in favor of corporate America. She spent the next nine years climbing the ranks at a collection agency from receptionist to executive assistant to client manager.
Sarah joined AtriCure in June 2002. In her role as Executive Assistant, she provides administrative support, maintains schedules, coordinates a multitude of meetings, manages investor relations, handles press releases, and answers pretty much any AtriCure-related question you can throw at her.
“I love being an Executive Assistant because you are close to the action and constantly learn and gain inspiration from those around you. I strive to be that person you can always count on. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep up with the pace at AtriCure, but a wise man by the name of Mike Hooven once told me that if you don’t make mistakes, you are not working hard enough. At AtriCure and at my previous company, I was given opportunities to move into management. I’m glad I tried it, because I know without a doubt that the best way for me to contribute to the success of the company is in this role.”
And contribute she does. “Sarah is a high-quality individual who is always thinking ahead. She does a great job balancing many conflicting priorities and always maintains an upbeat and positive attitude. In stressful situations, she retains her calm and focus, and she handles everything with a high level of discretion and demonstrates respect for all,” says Julie Piton. “In the short time that I have worked with Sarah, I have developed a deep respect for her both personally and professionally.”
Dave Drachman couldn’t agree more. “Sarah represents the best of AtriCure. She has the ability to maintain a supportive manner, high ethical standards and composure under challenging and complicated circumstances.”
As you can imagine, balancing the schedules of both the CEO and CFO is no easy task. But for Sarah, it’s all just part of a once-in-a-career experience.
“Being part of a company’s growth from 25 to 200 employees and witnessing the IPO process up close has been an amazing learning experience. The opportunity we have to improve the quality of life for AF sufferers and prevent debilitating strokes is great motivation for getting up and going to work every day. Having witnessed my grandfather suffer through multiple strokes, I know what a difference we can make in people’s lives. When Dave Drachman says we can change the world, it really seems possible. I’m proud to be a part of an all-star team with the best technology, products and people.”
Outside of the office, Sarah and her husband Kyle are constantly undertaking new home improvement projects. For fun, Sarah sings with MUSE, Cincinnati’s Women’s Choir. If you haven’t been lucky enough to hear her belt out a few tunes in the back of A1, you can catch her and the rest of the choir at www.musechoir.org.
With more than five years at AtriCure under her belt, Sarah predates the majority of current employees – even Dave! So what is the most important lesson she has learned in that time?
“It’s good to take risks. AtriCure was not a proven company when I started so it was a bit of a risk to leave a job with plenty of security and come here. Not being a risk-taker by nature, I was apprehensive. After my interview with Mike Hooven, I knew this would be a fun and interesting career move, whether or not the company was successful. 5+ years later, I know I made the right choice.”