8x8 shines the light on the amazing members of our community. In this post, we spotlight Gene Tsimmerman of The Facilities Group.

8x8: Gene, tell us about your job.

Gene Tsimmerman (GT): I'm the IT Manager at The Facilities Group. The Facilities Group was established to create a family of integrated facility maintenance organizations servicing commercial properties throughout the United States. We provide shared services to cleaning companies, so they can focus on their core businesses. We're headquartered in Tampa, Florida.

8x8: What path led you to your current company?

GT: Originally from New Jersey, I moved to Florida seven years ago and began working in the hospitality industry. When the pandemic hit, the industry was severely impacted and I began looking for a new opportunity. I found it at a Private Equity-backed startup called The Facilities Group, and after two years, I am thrilled to say that this is the best job I have had in a long time.

8x8: Have you seen your company incorporate technology into its core business practices?

GT: The Facilities Group really respects how much technology can impact the business. For example, we are one of the only companies in the country that are pursuing autonomous cleaning devices and a proprietary work order management system. Think about how incredible that is!

8x8: When you were growing up, did you envision that technology was your path?

GT: No, I didn't. In high school, I took a BASIC programming class, but I found it to be uninspiring. However, I developed an interest in computers when I began learning to type on a TRS-80 or one of the older IBM computers. In my mind I gamified the typing process, and I enjoyed the challenge. This was my first of many gaming experiences, and I enjoyed it. My interest in computers was further piqued when my family suggested that I pursue a career in technology, as I had always demonstrated a natural aptitude for it.

8x8: How do advances in technology enable you to deliver better customer service?

GT: Technology has sped up the process of finding solutions to customer problems. In the past, it might have taken a few days to research an issue and get back with a customer. You might have to periodically reach out to keep them informed of the progress you were making on their case. Now, you have so many tools at your disposal, and everything is integrated in real-time. I can look something up here and get a GUI map of what is in the network closet, or what cables go where, and what's live. Additionally, as far as 8x8 and the app, I'm able to hand out one phone number without the expense of additional hardware, and keep in touch with my customers.

8x8: Where do you find your professional inspiration?

GT: I love the team I'm on. I have a lot of younger people on my team who are eager to learn all they can. I love the fact that my team is always learning. I used to try to know every detail of what was going on and now, I know what each of the members on my team does. The expertise within this team affords me the ability to step back and focus on my work in confidence.

8x8: Are there specific podcasts or web pages you follow to stay current on technology?

GT: For years, I've been using these resources: Microsoft Learn, Tech Republic, Tom's Hardware, and ZDNET.

8x8: Do you have a mentor?

GT: My mentor is a man I've known my whole life, who is a Director of IT and IT Security for a counseling association in Washington, DC. I bounce ideas off of him, and we speak a couple of times a year. On a technology level, he's taught me that you should always keep expanding. He was a developer, and a year ago, he went back to school to study data analytics. When he tells me about data models, it's as if he's speaking in another language, it's that complicated. But I hear him speaking so excitedly about things, it makes me want to incorporate them in my firm.

8x8: What advice would you give to someone who's just starting a career in technology?

GT: Work on your customer service skills because there's no technology that will replace the ability to talk to a person as a form of connection.

8x8: On a personal note, what are your hobbies?

GT: My kids! They take up all my time! I like watching movies, playing guitar and bike riding. I love that we have the Pinellas trail by my house, which just goes up and down to probably about 20 miles almost along the coast. It kind of weaves in and around the coast, so you get glimpses of the ocean as you drive or bike by.

8x8: Do you have a favorite movie?

GT: Like many people in IT, I was always inspired by Star Trek. I love Star Trek and the technologies like cell phones and tablets that were shown to us on those shows when they were only concepts. I thought that was incredible. I was blown away by it.

8x8: Would you recommend 8x8?

GT: Absolutely! As we have new subsidiaries come on, and we move them to 8x8, all I do is engage with SMCC. It can't get any simpler.  If I have just one user, I can get them up and running in a few minutes. There's a lot of things I like about it, the whole "value meal" aspect of 8x8, that's a benefit to The Facilities Group at this stage.

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(This post was originally published at: https://community.8x8.com/discussion/community-member-spotlight-gene-tsimmerman-of-the-facilities-group.)