Kelly LeHew, our Director of Operations, has been part of the Design Elite family for over 20 years. An upstate native, Kelly has had a first row seat for watching the many changes the area has experienced over the last few decades.
- What’s your typical work day like?
As the Director of Operations for DE, I wear many hats. My role involves collaborating and managing both the DE team, Our clients, and Builders. This includes organizing schedules, attending meetings, and overseeing the various day-to-day operations of the firm. I ensure that projects stay on track with billings, address any issues that arise, and maintain clear communications with the DE Team and clients to align our work with the firm’s goals and client expectations.
- What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is that it doesn’t feel like work. I love seeing our clients’ dreams come to life through the designs we’ve created. I feel truly blessed to be a part of this amazing company we call a family, where we support and uplift each other every day.
- Tell us something interesting about yourself-
As a young child, I always had an interest in computers and the way they worked. I remember the first Texas Instrument computer my Dad purchased for me. I would sit in my room studying code programming books and inputting the code into the computer. I recall my first “writing code” I made a gingerbread man dance across the screen. My love of computers continued in middle school where I joined the computer club. In high school, I was chosen to teach Macintosh software called HyperCard, one of the first successful hypermedia systems predating the Web. I spent the summer of my junior year educating teachers from all over the East Coast. HyperCard data programming concept involves a stack of virtual cards, similar to Powerpoint, but instead, input data coding for it to work. Teachers developed computer presentations to use in their classrooms based on what they learned. I would have thought I would have wanted to work in the computer industry since I was fascinated by computers in my earlier years.
- How has your job changed over your years with DE?
My position has evolved significantly over the past 24 years. I started with secretarial work and gradually took on more responsibilities such as assisting with a design book layout and organizing the website, to being more involved with client relations. Additionally, I managed various office operations, eventually becoming the office manager, which led to my current role as the Director of Operations and now a Partner in the firm.
- What would your dream house be like?
I enjoy hosting friends and family and I’m drawn more to modern designs with large windows and clean lines with open floor plans. My ideal site would be high on a mountain overlooking a valley.
