We are thrilled to pay tribute today to Blake Ponder, one of Edafio’s esteemed Network Engineer and an associate spotlight for September.
The comings and goings of staff are a part of every dynamic organization; therefore, it can be challenging to get to know our coworkers better as people, especially during a time of social distancing. We have to be mindful that our company culture thrives on our exceptional people as much as their outstanding technical skills.
As such, we are finding that our periodic interviews with associates allow us to acknowledge and celebrate the beautiful life stories, extraordinary professional accomplishments, and even the little quirks that make us uniquely beautiful human beings.
We hope you find each Edafio associate story as inspiring as we do in gathering and sharing them.
What drew you to this profession?
I have always had a general curiosity about how things work. I think that is something that most engineers have in common.
Do you have any favorite quotes?
“The loudest boos will always come from the cheapest seats.”
“Those that have invested the least will always have the most to say.”
“Trust your work, and keep your circle tight.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
During football season, I typically watch football and have cookouts and spend time with my friends. Exercising and spending time with my dog typically end up being the same thing. Oh, and I like to play the Rocket League on Xbox.
Blake is an excellent engineer and is committed to our client’s success. He’s always willing to step up and help others succeed and is continuously looking for opportunities to add value. I’m thankful I get to work with him.
Brent Saunders, Network Team Lead
What would be impossible for you to give up?
My dog, Stella. This was honestly an issue when moving, because huskies are sometimes considered an “aggressive breed”.
If I had one core message for the world, what would it be?
Be kind. You never know what someone may be going through, and even a smile can make someone’s day. The world has enough ugly and mean.
What is one miracle, large or small, that has occurred in your life?
I made it through college. I can honestly attribute this miracle to my mom. She was the one who would talk me out of wanting to quit.
The Covid-19 Quarantine can be a time of learning, self-reflection, and personal discovery. That being said, is there anything you would like to share that COVID-19 and this quarantine has taught you?
Isolation can be dangerously addictive.
Everyone at Edafio has a story about why they joined the team. What’s yours?
I was working for an ISP in Northwest Arkansas directly after college and was looking to move back to Central Arkansas. Edafio approached me with a Network Operations Center position, and the rest is history!
Edafio is always looking for exceptional candidates to join our team. For an opportunity to work with folks like Blake, be sure to visit our careers page to learn more.
