The Extra Space Storage CEO Team of Excellence award is given out each year to recognize a group of exceptional professionals. Recipients are chosen by leaders from across the company for their outstanding accomplishments in the previous year and their dedication to company values.
This year, in addition to our annual announcement of all winners, we’re giving each one of these extraordinary individuals their time to shine. We asked each of them a few questions about their background and their thoughts on working at Extra Space Storage. Here’s a special look at three of our winners and what they had to say.
Carrie Boudreau – Division Learning Manager
Carrie Boudreau has been to 38 states, ten countries, and four continents. She lived in Malawi, Africa, for three years while developing the fine arts department at an international school. The lessons she learned in Malawi continue to shape how she supports, leads, and develops her team at Extra Space Storage.
Where are you from?
I was born in Kealakekua, HI, but grew up in Salem, OR. I currently live in Gastonia, NC.
How many years have you worked at Extra Space Storage?
2.5 years.
What advice would you give someone just starting out at Extra Space Storage to help them succeed?
Develop relationships with others. There are so many valuable resources at Extra Space, but the most essential resource is your peers. Through teamwork, everyone will succeed.
What do you enjoy most about working at Extra Space Storage?
The best part of Extra Space is the people. The ability to interact with team members across the company that share the same mission and same core values is something extraordinary. By using servant leadership as the guiding principle this company has allowed me to set a clear vision of excellence for my team. Leading by example to achieve a high standard of the customer and employee experience is what I’m most passionate about.
Which Extra Space Storage value (Teamwork, Excellence, Integrity, Passion, Innovation) is important to you and why?
Passion. I am passionate about our core values because they are the same values I strive to live up to in my daily life. From passion, all of the other values are able to prosper and grow. Without passion, there is no teamwork, innovation, integrity, or a drive for excellence. I have been successful in my life and have been blessed with opportunities because of these guiding values.
Chris Petrella – District Team Lead
Chris Petrella served in the United States Navy for four years. In his free time, he does amateur photography, specializing in sunsets. He loves watching sports, studying the bible, listening to music, and playing pickleball.
Where are you from?
Glen Cove, NY
How many years have you worked at Extra Space Storage?
Six years
What advice would you give someone just starting out at Extra Space Storage to help them succeed?
Learn from your District Team Leads. We have one of the most in-depth training programs I have ever seen and everything you need to succeed is given to you in your first week. Take that foundation of knowledge and build upon it every day with enthusiasm!
What do you enjoy most about working at Extra Space Storage?
Teamwork and being recognized for your work. Having a great District Manager is a huge plus. He is very even keel and always available to set you up for success.
Which Extra Space Storage value (Teamwork, Excellence, Integrity, Passion, Innovation) is important to you and why?
All of them. I have worked for many different companies that have had core values but none truly practiced them like we do here at Extra Space. I honestly believe in every one of them and I always stress this with any new hire I may have the pleasure to train. Live these values every day enthusiastically and anyone can be successful!
David Cibula – Senior District Manager
David Cibula enjoys skiing even though he currently lives in Texas. He’s passionate about music and he loves to workout but claims he’s wildly inconsistent.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Cleveland, OH, and currently live in Houston, TX.
How many years have you worked at Extra Space Storage?
Seven years.
What advice would you give someone just starting out at Extra Space Storage to help them succeed?
There’s a lot to learn if you’ve never worked in storage before, but don’t worry about breaking anything. As the District Vice President who hired me said, “Just jump in the pool!”
What do you enjoy most about working at Extra Space Storage?
The people. Everyone I’ve met here has been incredible!
Which Extra Space Storage value (Teamwork, Excellence, Integrity, Passion, Innovation) is important to you and why?
Teamwork. None of us will be successful without everyone around us. Our titles shouldn’t matter, we all need each other!
Congratulations to Carrie Boudreau, Chris Petrella, and David Cibula for being selected as winners of the 2021 CEO Team of Excellence! Stay tuned for more winner spotlights in the coming weeks!
Interested in joining a winning team? Learn more about our culture and employment opportunities at careers.extraspace.com.