Joe Pascale: Creating a seamless and productive work environment
What do you ACTUALLY do?
Lead a team that creates a seamless, productive and flexible working environment for all employees and guests, and we aim to break barriers that slow engagement or productivity without sacrificing security.
What types of devices do you support?
My team was once introduced by saying “This is the group that supports anything that accepts an electrical current.” I couldn’t argue with that assessment!
What's your favorite piece of tech?
At home, my Tesla Model 3. When I’m traveling it’s a toss-up between Apple Watch and iPad Pro.
What tools or apps are most important to your job?
I use Microsoft OneNote for documenting just about everything. Email is all on Superhuman email client. Maybe not so shocking but highest usage tools – Slack, G-Cal, Spoke, Zoom, 1Password, Numi.
Do you prefer hands-on, or troubleshooting from afar?
Hands-on for sure, but I love how technology allows us to remotely assist and it is as though we are in-person. It wasn’t always like that!
Favorite thing about your IT environment?
My team’s culture is fast paced, forward thinking, and always open to trying new ideas. Much like our company culture at TripActions.
Thing you'd most like to change about it?
With how IT is an “always on” field, it’s difficult to find time to get together to just spend time, have fun and bond as a team. Especially when you’re distributed across the globe.
What's on your desk?
Dell Infinity Edge monitor, USB-C DisplayLink dock, MBP 13” 2018, Apple Keyboard, Logitech MX Master, Bose noise-canceling in-ear headphones, Corsair giant mousepad, test machines (1mac, 1pc), Water Bottle
How did you start your career in IT?
Hard to quantify really, I was probably being paid to build and fix tech as young as 10 years old if that counts?
What are the biggest misconceptions of your role, internally or externally?
I think externally most people don’t realize how much influence IT has on the look and feel of a workspace. A lot of my time is spent here and it’s constantly evolving as we learn valuable lessons on each new project and technology matures. Internally I think employees are surprised to sometimes find me fixing printers or crawling under desks plugging in power strips, but I’m there to support my team any way I can.
What was your proudest professional moment?
Winning a company annual “Pursuit of Excellence Award” – Honored to the most outstanding staff member voted on by peers across the company.
What are the biggest challenges in your work?
Deadlines!
Most cringeworthy request?
Getting a piece of company hardware back that looks like it’s been completely abused. Food crumbs, dog slobber, you name it. Lack of respect for technology and your place of work makes me sad. 🙁
Do you stay hydrated at work?
HA! It’s actually very true that many days I get out of my last meeting of the day and realize lunch has passed, I haven’t had a drink, or used the restroom the entire day. I am trying to get better at my self-preservation awareness though.
CLI or GUI?
Honestly, GUI. It was designed to make life easier! Who doesn’t appreciate that? But when the task calls for CLI, google is your best friend. 🙂
DIY or turnkey?
Kinda opposite mentality of my last response, but DIY. Rather than hire out a contractor to do an integration or complex task, I will ask if anyone on the team wants to give it a shot first. No better way to master something than to understand all its parts.
Where can people follow you online?
On twitter @80211JP
