Employee Owner Spotlight: Armando Neri

Employee owner name: Armando Neri

Department/Job at Work: Delivery truck driver / art transport

Number of years working at Bark: Almost 20 years

Hails from: Mexico City, Mexico

What did you for work do before you worked at Bark Frameworks?

I used to work in a restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Around that time, about 19 years ago, I knew the person who drove the truck for Bark Frameworks (his name was Ruben). One day, he invited me to try out work on the truck a few days a week.

Eventually, I started working for Bark full time.

Armando (right) and Bark employee owner Phil Kennedy, with our truck, c. 2012.

What is the biggest challenge in your area of work at Bark?

Nothing is a challenge! Everything is different in the city – between parking, delivery, and traffic, etc. If one street or avenue is congested, I take a detour and use another. But nothing is the same day to day…

My job is important because I want the client to be happy – that’s what I am for (and no parking tickets!)!

What do you like best about working at Bark?

Ten years ago, I’d invite someone to ride with me; but most days now, I am on my own [unless we have a large delivery, when we bring a helper.] It’s a part of my job to maintain the truck; clean it, and keep it in good condition so that it’s safe transport for the artwork and drivers/delivery people – I take pride in that!

And sometimes when I see clients, they want to unwrap the framed art; and they’re pleased with what they see! They’re very friendly.

Armando delivers a framed artwork to Bark client Wah Chen, in Manhattan.                                                                                                   (For more about our work with Wah Chen, click here).

Is there a particularly memorable job you remember working on?

The Richard Avedon exhibition we framed was special – Bark staff got invited to see the exhibition after-hours at Gagosian.

How has your life in- and outside of work changed as a result of the recent pandemic?

My life specifically has not changed much. Workwise, I noticed that, pre-pandemic, more people in the city had cars. Now, it seems like fewer people do. Now in midtown its more congested at times, especially in the afternoons.

What does being an employee owner mean to you?

It’s great to feel like you have a real, personal stake in the work you’re doing, and in the company’s success. I like working at Bark – I want the company to be happy with me, and for the clients to be as well!

Armando cleans the truck, which pulls into our dedicated truck bay (indoors, away from the elements) to unload/load in client artwork.

Any outside hobbies/interests you have when you’re not making frames?

I like to do sports – I go running around the city. And I like to play handball – either singles or more as a group. I started playing when I lived in Mexico City. Now, I play in a park near my home. I have friends who play as well!

Are you an artist?

No, but I appreciate it!

Thank you Armando!