Successful installation projects require detailed planning, clear communication and coordination among many different people. For Kelli French, they also require something even more fundamental: trust. During her five years at Installnet, Kelli has built strong relationships with customers and service providers and managed projects of all sizes, including complex installations that may take weeks or even months to complete.

Meet: Kelli French
Role: Project Manager
Time with Installnet: 5 years

Tell us about your career path at Installnet.
I joined Installnet as a Senior Project Coordinator and gradually took on larger projects and more responsibility. I eventually became a Project Manager II, which involves an extensive process, because Installnet wants to make sure their customers are in the best hands. I met regularly with members of the leadership team for more than a year to work through different areas of project management and account development. I was one of the first people to go through Installnet’s updated process for advancing to this role, so I also had an opportunity to provide feedback that helped refine it for others.

Why do customers request you for their projects?
I’m a people person, and I want customers to feel like I’m part of their team. If a customer needs to step away, I want them to know I have everything covered and am looking out for both their interests and their customers’. That approach builds trust. I try to create the same kind of relationship with our service providers.

What kinds of projects do you especially enjoy?
I love full school installations and library renovations. There is something special about removing furniture that is no longer serving a space and replacing it with something bright, functional and welcoming. Libraries often have to wait for funding before they can make improvements, so it is especially rewarding to see a renovation come together. We recently completed a library refresh in Newport News that introduced new shelving and bright colors throughout the space. As a book lover with a library in my own home, those projects are always meaningful to me.

What is your favorite part of working at Installnet?
The camaraderie. We have a genuinely good group of people who care about each other. On my team, we describe ourselves as a family- we may not always agree, but there’s a strong sense of trust, support, and knowing that we have each other’s backs.

That support extends beyond individual teams. People throughout the company are willing to share guidance, listen or help solve a problem. It happens so routinely that it doesn’t feel like an exception. It’s simply how people work here.

Favorite Installnet holiday or tradition?
Give me an occasion to wear a costume, and I’m ready – whether as the Lorax for Halloween or a turkey for Thanksgiving. I’m not someone who generally likes attention – except when there’s a costume involved!

What does life look like outside of work?
I spend most of my time with my husband, reading, sometimes riding horses, and caring for our four dogs: three Chihuahuas and an 80-pound rough collie. Our collie came to us as a medical foster after being found on the streets. He had been outside for months and developed pneumonia. We cared for him while he recovered, but after a month, we knew we couldn’t let him go. He is now a healthy, gentle giant, and an excellent protector for the Chihuahuas. I have one child and they are a junior at York College of Pennsylvania and previously interned at Installnet.

Great projects start with great people. Connect with us to learn more.