Posted on August 06, 2025
We’re pleased to feature Liz Edwards, TBCo Orlando Office Administrator and Sales Assistant, as part of our 70th anniversary series of team member highlights. As the second most tenured team member at the branch, Liz has seen firsthand the evolution of TBCo during her 27 years with the company and continues to be a cornerstone of the Orlando team.
Reflecting on her early days with the company, Liz shares, “The TBCo I started with in 1998 was 180 degrees from where it is today. I handwrote every order using a pricing catalog from Ruskin and Titus and then mailed them. Can you imagine doing that today?” She recalls rows of filing cabinets, handwritten job folders, and submittals that required printing 12 to 16 copies – with fingers crossed that the copy machine wouldn’t jam. “Technology and vendor software have certainly made order entry and the submittal process more efficient.”
Billing was equally old-school. “Instead of the daily billing reports we know today, Atlanta would mail pink sheets that we had to match with vendor invoices—and hope they aligned!”
Throughout the years, Liz has also built cherished memories with company founder Mr. Barrow. “Mr. and Mrs. Barrow attended my rehearsal dinner and wedding in 2003, where I danced with Mr. B, which is a favorite memory. He even visited me in the hospital after a surgery, bringing magazines and candy. I was once afraid to ride a freight elevator during his ‘Sharpening the Saw’ training session in 2000, and Mr. Barrow held my hand the whole way up. He was a great man who truly cared for his team. My loyalty and dedication to Tom Barrow Company are very strong!”
Liz’s event planning expertise has played a vital role in TBCo’s major milestones. She’s helped coordinate celebrations for our 50th, 60th, and now 70th anniversaries. “I’m always honored to be the ‘boots on the ground’ to ensure things go smoothly. I put together teams who share my passion and pride in representing TBCo down to the smallest detail.”
What Liz values most, however, is building lasting relationships. “Whether it is the third generation of a customer’s family business or a contractor who moves to another company, relationship selling is built on trust that the job will get done! But it’s not just about customers – it’s about our internal team, too. Helping one another and sharing a laugh can make all the difference.”
Her advice for new team members? Communication and honesty. “You’re never on an island at TBCo. Everyone, at every seniority level, had a first day. Take notes and ask questions during training and communicate with your sales team and management if you have concerns, personally or professionally. Most importantly, mistakes are going to happen – own them and learn from them. Also, be honest with every contractor. This is a small industry, and your reputation is everything.”
Thank you, Liz, for not only the hard work and dedication you share with our company and our customers every day, but also the humor and heart you put into everything you do. With team members like you, TBCo Orlando has a strong foundation, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for you and the team.