New Faces of Bamboo: Introducing Jared Hall

Editor’s note: Longtime readers may recall our “New Faces” series, in which we would introduce our new hires to Bamboo Nation. Shamefully, my count, there are nearly 20 “new” faces at Bamboo since the series last appeared (in the spring of 2011!). In other words, we’re long overdue to make some introductions, so let’s not delay any longer, and continue making up for lost time…

When did you join the Bamboo Solutions team, and what is your role?

I joined Bamboo Solutions one year ago this month; I believe it was around May 10, 2012, that I started my first day. My role at Bamboo Solutions is Customer Support, as I work with customers in trying to solve any Bamboo software-related issues.

What are your personal goals regarding your position for the remainder of 2013? 

My personal goals for this year at Bamboo Solutions are to learn as much as possible about the 2013 product lineup, as well as continuing to serve Bamboo’s customers to the best of my ability in the Customer Support Department. I have also been thinking of acquiring some more certifications in multiple areas to advance my knowledge in 2013.

What’s your professional background?

My Professional Background includes the following:

I was a Senior IT Support Tech at DRH Technology Services from June 2007 – May 2012. My experience in the position I held included:

• Network administration and IT support for a variety of client small business firms and individuals.
• Planned, tested, and installed workstations and software for clients
• Diagnostics and repairs for clients
• Built new custom workstations for clients
• Removal of viruses and malware
• Administration, Maintenance, and Monitoring of various Windows 2003/2008 and Small Business Server networks, including workstations and servers.
• Installation of wired and wireless LAN systems.
• Installed/Maintained Sonicwall Hardware Firewalls
• Installation of VOIP systems
• Offsite backup of client networks

I have also previously worked as a Network Administrator at a small Engineering firm from January 2004 -June 2007. My experience in the position I held included:

• Network Server 2000/2003 Administration and maintenance
• Tested, installed, and maintained workstations and software for workstations
• Maintained virus control and removal
• Diagnostics and repair of various hardware components including servers, workstations, and printers
• Helpdesk support for other employees as required
• Daily backups of company data

What prompted you to join the Bamboo team?

When the economy took a dive, the company I was working for at the time was hit pretty hard. I was laid off and started looking for another job; Bamboo Solutions was one of the company’s I interviewed with. Everybody I met during the Bamboo Interview process seemed very nice, and I liked what I saw in the company. It seemed that Bamboo Solutions really cared about their employees. The only personal negative of Bamboo was the long-distance of commute I would have to make. However, Bamboo has worked with me and provides me with the opportunity to break off over half of my commute allowing me to work from home some days of the week.

What were some of your first impressions of working at Bamboo? 

When I first started working at Bamboo Solutions I was more than a little overwhelmed by all of the new information that I needed to learn concerning Bamboo Solutions’ custom software. However, working with it repeatedly, I have come to learn, understand, and appreciate how Bamboo’s Web Parts help with out-of-the-box SharePoint.

With over 70 products to learn, did/do you feel overwhelmed?  What’s your strategy been for getting up to speed?

I still feel overwhelmed on occasion, however, working with the products repeatedly really helps to learn the product. I tend to pick tickets that involve products that I am familiar with for the most part, and this helps with continuing to learn new stuff about those particular products. I do, however, also take tickets where I am not that familiar with the product, and this is where I sometimes feel just a little overwhelmed. I do feel more overwhelmed though when I have several tickets that I am working on at one time, as the tickets I am working on start to seem like they are running together.

Other than your deep and abiding love of extending SharePoint, what interests or hobbies do you enjoy outside of work?

I love to kayak; I spend most weekends on the rivers in my area (at least during the spring, summer, and part of the fall). I like white water kayaking, flatwater kayaking, and overnight river camping bringing gear in my kayak. I like to take my kids and friends kayaking with me, and everybody has a great time. I also like fishing, but just relaxing out on the water is enough. During the cold seasons, when I am unable to go out on the river, I turn to video games and movies. I am an avid Battlefield fan and play both on the PC and PS3; it seems that as I get older though, this hob seems to be diminishing in the fun factor, so I rarely play anymore. Cooking is another love of mine, as I love to create my own tastes and dishes impromptu.  I do use ideas from other people sometimes, but I always like to change it up a little and make it my own. Lastly, camping is also a favorite.  I take my family every year to go camping and we have a lot of fun hiking, swimming, being outdoors, and cooking in the Dutch oven over a fire, which is just awesome.