Welcome to the Employee Spotlight Series! This week, we interviewed Brandon Nabak. Brandon is a System Administrator and joined the SpendMend team about one year ago. When asked why he looks forward to coming to work every day, he stated, “The members of my team are a blast.” Brandon is from Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, but currently lives in Beloit, Wisconsin. He attended Gateway Tech and studied System and Network Administration. His interest in the tech industry started in his childhood when he shadowed his uncle’s job for a summer. During work, Brandon enjoys listening to Dungeons and Dragons podcasts. His favorite podcasts are Critical Role, Dimension 20, and Worlds Beyond Numbers! His favorite topics to listen to are the ones that look into world-building. As much as Brandon enjoys listening to DND Podcasts, he likes playing Dungeons and Dragons more! He started playing nine years ago when a former co-worker invited him to a group, and he has been playing ever since! His favorite thing about DND is building a story with his friends. He states, “Sometimes there is a goal, sometimes it is just silly misadventures, but it is always a good time to do it with friends.” A fun fact about Brandon is that he has a black belt in taekwondo! He initially started taking classes to stay in shape and strengthen his flexibility for rock climbing. It took him about four years to earn his first blackbelt. Brandon’s favorite moves are the spinning backkick and being able to kick a water bottle off of someone’s head! Be sure to read the full interview below to read more about Brandon’s experience with taekwondo.
Brandon is greatly admired and appreciated by his coworkers. We asked Zack Aubuchon, IT Manager, about Brandon, and he said, “Since Brandon stepped into our tech realm at SpendMend, he’s been nothing short of a rockstar, igniting our successes with his unparalleled dedication and expertise. Whether it’s battling backend beasts, strengthening our fortress against cyber threats, or simply being a beacon of support, Brandon seems to effortlessly conquer every challenge that comes his way. To put the cherry on top, he has an infectious energy and top-tier personality that brings laughter, camaraderie, and a sense of unity to our team. We consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have Brandon on the team.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves! Thank you, Brandon!
Interview with Brandon:
What is your role at SpendMend?
System Administrator
How long have you been with SpendMend?
1 Year
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
I was looking for places to hire in Grand Rapids, MN, but I selected the wrong state.
What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Expanding, Focused, Driven
Where are you located/from?
I am from Lake Geneva, WI and currently live in Beloit, WI.
Where did you go for higher education? What did you study and why?
I went to Gateway Tech to study system and network administration. Since I shadowed my uncle for a summer at 13, I have known that I wanted to work somewhere in tech.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
The members of my team are a blast.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I ran a rock wall at a resort for a stretch.
What is one fun fact about you?
I used to be able to solve a Rubix cube in 37 seconds.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
I mostly listen to Dungeons and Dragons podcasts
What are your favorite Dungeons and Dragons Podcasts to listen to?
I enjoy Critical Role, Dimension 20, and Worlds Beyond Numbers podcasts.
What are the most interesting topics covered during the DND podcasts? What do you like the most about the DND podcast?
One of the most interesting topics that I explore is world-building. This involves coming up with a story or a world you want to explore and then fleshing that out and bringing it to life until it is ready for you to invite your friends in to interact and discover.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
I am a blackbelt in taekwondo and play a lot of DND.
When did you start taking classes in taekwondo, and why?
I started taekwondo initially to just stay in shape and be flexible for rock climbing. The local climbing gym near me closed so I found the martial arts studio much closer and found myself really enjoying it.
How long did it take to earn a blackbelt?
It took me about 4 years to earn my first dan blackbelt.
What are your favorite techniques and movements?
I have always been a fan of the spinning back kick. I can kick a water bottle off the head of someone 6 foot (or at least I used to be able to – LOL).
What is the most challenging part of taekwondo?
The most challenging part for me was that I always tried to kick higher than I meant to when sparring against shorter partners.
What do you like the most?
The thing I like the most is the flexibility I have gained. It was more than I was expecting for sure.
What piqued your interest in playing DND? When did you start playing?
I have always been a nerd, but never found a group until I was invited to one with some former coworkers. We started playing weekly games 9 years ago and haven’t stopped.
What do you enjoy most about playing DND?
My favorite thing is to be able to build a story with my friends. Sometimes there is a goal, sometimes it is just silly misadventures, but it is always a good time to do it with friends.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
That their email server is configured correctly.
If you work at the Grand Rapids headquarters, what is your favorite Recovery Room Activity?
I juggled the beanbags that were in there for a while.
What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?
Enjoyed the company conference and meeting my team.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
IT is security focused. Lean into that.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
Getting Jira rolled out for many teams.
What is something you’re looking forward to in the future at SpendMend?
Upgrading some older legacy systems.