#GSATI FAMILY: STAFF IN REVIEW, ISSUE NO. 2

 We at GSATi take pride in our staff and the hard work they put forth for us and our clients on a daily basis. To show our appreciation, we would like to present to you our new blog, #GSATiFamily: Staff in Review, a peek into the lives and interests of our staff. This series highlights the parts of our staff that makes them exactly who they are: dedicated, intriguing individuals we are proud to call family. Read on and discover this week’s featured staff member: Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer, Kathy Kendall. 

DL: Go ahead and state your name and position title.

KK: Kathy Kendall, Intermediate Quality Assurance Engineer. 

DL: How long have you worked with GSATi?

KK: Just shy of a year, actually! 

DL: How quick a year passes! So where did you receive your education and/or experience in our field?

KK: Well, years ago before we were married, my husband and former GSATi employee, Bill Kendall and I actually worked together at the Superconducting Super Collider before the project was shut down by Congress. During that time, I was given the opportunity to be one of the first testers of the HTML language, which as you know is widely used today with web development. Since then, I assisted with testing a new software created for the dairy industry at a local company. As time passed, I wanted to learn more about how to thoroughly operate all of the programs included in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.) I set out to gain as much experience as possible. I took college classes as well as certification courses, and learned a great deal about several programs we all use here in the office on a daily basis. It was a really interesting experience. 

DL: Wow, what an incredible background. You're essentially a Pioneer for HTML! So after all that, what would you consider your greatest accomplishment during your time as a member of the GSATi Family?

KK: I would have to say being part of the website project I am working on from the early stages through the upcoming international launch has been a great personal accomplishment. From site testing and validation to operating as production support, it's been really rewarding to see a project build from the ground up by a team with who you enjoy working. This would be the one! 

DL: What’s the most fun thing you have done at or with GSATi?

KK: It's a toss-up between our Cinco de Mayo and Mardi Gras in-office events. CK and Cindy are great about acknowledging that here at GSATi we work hard AND play hard, so they always do their best to make holiday and event gatherings as enjoyable and engaging as possible. 

DL: What about your at-home family? Any pets or kids?

KK: In addition to my husband Bill, we have an adorable 1-year-old Golden Retriever named Ginger. I have three amazing daughters, Sara, Robin and Kathryn. Robin works in Austin for a commercial entertainment company, Kathryn is a 9th grade English teacher, and Sara is my "granola" mom, who takes such good care of her kids. They're such superheroines and I love them dearly.

DL: What is your favorite local restaurant or business on the square that you like to visit?

KK: Serendipity on the Square, hands down! It's so much fun for so many different reasons. For food, though? Thai Squared would have to be my favorite. 

DL: What's your fondest office memory since you've been here?

KK: I'd have to say my fondest memory here would be our most recent anniversary celebration. Cindy's birthday and mine are only a day apart, so we decided to go out for dinner the day after and it was such a great time. Getting to know my bosses and team in such amicable environments has been great, and really shows just how connected we all are as a work family. 

DL: What's your preference, PHP or .NET and why?

KK: I'm actually only really familiar with .NET, honestly. 

DL: I hear you on that one! Alrighty, last question. Why choose GSATi?

KK: My question is: Why not? There aren't enough adjectives in the English language to describe how much I love working here. Our deadlines are major and very well-defined, but are also accompanied by very little stress, which is incredibly rare for our field. I am part of such an amazing team of individuals, and it's so refreshing to be surrounded by people who want you to succeed and are there for you every step of the way. I also love that for the first time, I've been given a nick name, "Katchy" (because I catch errors and problems very easily) that I actually love. I’ve been encouraged to give presentations over my work and am just constantly supported in everything I do here. It's a great place to work! 

We are so delighted and proud to call Kathy Kendall a member of the #GSATiFamily. For staff profiles and more of what we offer here at GSATi, visit www.gsati.com and become a member of the #GSATiFamily today. Friends and clients welcome.