Employee Profiles for Summer 2008
Tyler Hennessey – thennessey@CaseStack.com
Interviewed by Justin Yoshida
Tyler Hennessey, Quality Assurance Engineer and Networking team member, started his career at the Santa Monica CaseStack office a little over three weeks ago and has grown to love working with the Engineering (Networking, Helpdesk, QA) team. Hennessey grew up first in Oklahoma, and then later moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and now resides in Playa Del Rey, which conveniently saves him gas expenses due to the close commute. The American Intercontinental University graduate loves to go to the gym, travel, cook and play the guitar. Here is an excerpt from our conversation:
Justin Yoshida (JY): Tyler, what are your job duties here at CaseStack?
Tyler Hennessey (TH): I work for the Networking (Helpdesk) department and the Quality Assurance department, which are both under the Engineering department. With helpdesk, I do things like set up phone extensions, move computers, set up computers, migrate computers and troubleshoot anything technical around the office, such printers, phones, computers, etc… In Quality Assurance, I test the CaseStack website for bugs, and work with the developers here and in India to make the websites the best they can be before and after they are released live.
JY: How is the office environment? Is working at CaseStack what you expected?
TH: The atmosphere is laid-back and professional. I’ve worked in many offices and environments, and I knew I wanted to be in an environment where the line between management and employees is transparent, and everybody is relaxed and works together. A team environment where everybody is professional and knows what they need to do. I think it comes down to hiring quality people and giving them space and resources to excel. It seems like that’s the theory here at CaseStack and I’m happy to be included. So as for your question: It is even better than I thought it would be.
JY: What makes working with the Engineering department so enjoyable?
TH: Well, everybody is really nice here. I go to lunch with the guys in my department almost every day, and we are already pretty close. I feel like I’m fitting in pretty well. All of the guys in Networking and QA have been great and are very patient. I am getting to learn a lot and get involved with wide variety of issues that I wouldn’t in positions at other companies. I am soaking it all up. Working with them and being able to learn so much, so quickly has made a huge difference. So far, I couldn’t be happier.
JY: In what ways do you feel like you are contributing to the company’s success?
TH: I think right now I am contributing by learning quickly and being eager to help. Having a positive, friendly attitude can increase the morale. Soon I will be able to do more in both QA and Helpdesk. To be able to do both is really a blessing for me – not only for the experience but to be able to help two different departments is quite a contribution.
