Jen Velencia

Tell us more about your background – how did you transition from working in the banking industry and a private practice law firm to the transportation industry?

Out of law school, I worked in private practice at the law firm McNees Wallace & Nurick in Harrisburg. Pyle is a long-time client of the firm, and I worked on a number of projects for Pyle, usually with my mentor, Bruce Spicer.

In 2013, I thought I would try something different, and joined the legal department of a publicly traded financial services company with banks in five states, initially as Associate Counsel and then as Managing Counsel supporting commercial lending. This was a great experience, as, in addition to traditional legal matters, I was able to get involved in project management, process improvement, strategic planning, and risk management projects.

In 2018, an opportunity arose to join Pyle as General Counsel – which I was happy to take!

What about Pyle made you want to work for this company?

As might be obvious based on the above, I really like to learn new things, and I was eager to learn about the transportation industry and Pyle’s lines of business. Peter promised me a wide variety of legal work – and he has certainly delivered on that promise!

I was also excited to participate in Pyle’s Management Committee, seeing this a chance to gain broader business experience. I have really appreciated the opportunity to gain insight into the overall management of the company.

What is your role at Pyle?

As General Counsel, I view my role as having overall responsibility for the company’s legal function, protecting Pyle’s interests, and managing legal risk. I also have responsibility for managing the Legal Department.

Our Legal Department advises the board of directors, CEO, and other members of the management committee on a variety of legal matters, and as time permits we support internal lines of business and get involved in special projects. We also work with outside counsel on matters that require specialized expertise, or that we do not have time to handle.

What is your approach to handling legal matters?

The “universe” of legal matters is quite large, so it is hard to generalize. However, fundamentally, we try to identify, assess, and explain risks to the relevant decision makers. The risk analysis is not necessarily limited to legal risk, as other types of risk (such as reputational risk) are often involved. Our goal is to equip decision makers to make informed decisions.

What advice do you have for other women working in male-dominated industries, like the supply chain?

I think the most valuable piece of advice that I can offer applies to everyone, and that advice is to find a mentor who is interested in your professional and personal wellbeing. In my experience, a lot of mistakes can be avoided just by talking through issues with a trusted mentor.

Also, I think women have a lot to offer in the workplace, and there are times when I’ve been able to offer a different perspective on an issue.

Finally, I think women should think carefully about how they can be most effective in their workplace. Trying to be “one of guys” is not always the best approach; instead, my advice would be to spend time thinking about how to present oneself (whether in person, in email, etc.) in a manner that best reflects professionalism and competence.

What achievements are you most proud of during your time at Pyle?

There are many things that I am proud of regarding Pyle, but the one that comes first to mind is Pyle’s response to COVID-19. This was a remarkable team effort, and I am proud to have contributed to this effort.

I am also proud of my contributions regarding insurance. Insurance is very complicated, and I am very pleased with the relationship that I have developed with our insurance broker, Aon.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned as a lawyer?

The lesson is not specific to practicing law, but I think it is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes. If you or a member of your team makes a mistake, take responsibility for it, find constructive ways to deal with the mistake, and try to learn from the mistake!

Any closing thoughts?

I really feel gratitude for the opportunity to work at Pyle, be part of the Pyle team, and indulge my love of learning new things.

On a personal note – when I am not at Pyle, I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and neighbors, serving in my church, working out, doing Pilates, cooking and baking, gardening, and planning home improvement projects. Also, I love cats and dogs!