Every month, the employees at Strategic Communications are given the opportunity to acknowledge exemplary colleagues within or outside their department. Three individuals were chosen by their coworkers for their commitment to customer service, perseverance in the face of challenges, and can-do attitudes!
Cindy Kelsey | Inside Sales Representative
• How long have you worked for Strategic Communications?
I have been at Strategic over 9 years now. It sure doesn’t feel like it’s been that long
• What was your background prior to Strategic?
I have been in sales my entire life; in college I was a Political Science and business major but after a summer internship at a company called Digital Equipment Corporation I fell into technical sales. I spent most of my career selling the technical processes of the banking industry to Fortune 500 companies. As an example, I spent 15 years of my career with National City Bank as VP of Wholesale Banking Products, I sold the gateway that allowed small banks, credit unions and small businesses to process ACH payments.
• What aspect of your job do you find the most rewarding or fulfilling?
The fast pace of the job. Our departments’ entire existence is a revenue and profit generating machine. I like everything from the camaraderie of our team, the competition, and the strategy discussed and implemented for the win.
• What is the best career lesson you have learned so far?
Early in my career I had a great boss, he was incredibly insightful, the best advise he gave me was “embrace change.” It has served me well; in our world everything changes often and you need to step into the challenge of change.
• Outside of work what are you passionate about?
I’m a grandmother and my grandchildren are my whole world. I love to garden and I’m a “project” person right now I’m remodeling the laundry room, yes I can use a power tool. I am fortunate to have a large group of friends I enjoy spending time with and simply could not live without.
• What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
I read 5-6 books a month and I’m in two book clubs (lol) I’m reading Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult (fiction), The Death of Expertise by Tom Nichols (non-fiction) and everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (fiction). Podcasts that I listen are all political, apart from the one I am listening to now Let It Out a wellness podcast.
• What is something that people may not know about you?
People may not know that I paint, I’m taking a new oil painting class next month. I have always loved art.
Christine Pfortmiller | Accounts Receivable Specialist
• How long have you worked for Strategic Communications?
I’ve been with the company for 6 months now.
• What aspect of your job do you find the most rewarding or fulfilling?
I really enjoy the dynamics of accounting for AV installation projects.
• What is the best career lesson you have learned so far?
Everything is dependent upon the team with whom a person works, and I am very grateful to belong to the Strategic Communications team.
• What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
TV Show: I am currently watching Picard
Podcast: 99% Invisible
Book: Rereading Dan Simmons’ Hyperion
Collin Palmer | Application Support Analyst
• How long have you worked for Strategic Communications?
Almost 7 Years
• What was your background prior to Strategic?
Before Strategic, I was a student at Eastern High School, and received 3 years of Programming experience in Java, JavaScript, and C#, as well as Computer Repair, Security, and Networking fundamentals.
• What aspect of your job do you find the most rewarding or fulfilling?
In my opinion, the most satisfying part of my job is when you’ve been wracking your brain for hours, trying to meet a goal, and that second that you make a breakthrough, everything starts to fall into place.
• What is the best career lesson you have learned so far?
The best career lesson that I’ve taken to heart so far is: Never give up. Things may seem difficult now, but stick with it, see it through, and everything will feel so much more rewarding when the dust clears.
• Outside of work what are you passionate about?
After work, I enjoy Watching Netflix, playing Video Games, Photography, listening to music, and learning new things.
• What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
My favorite show currently is between “The Last Kingdom” and I’ve been trying to catch up on “Critical Role”. Really anything with a compelling story has a good chance to catch my attention though!
• What is something that people may not know about you?
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved animals, and have had a lot of unique encounters with them, including a young serval, a white Bengal tiger cub, a wild hummingbird (long story), and even a wild Red Fox!
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