TechBirmingham thrives through its immensely talented and diverse group of member companies and their employees. We are also fortunate to be part of a community that values giving back and helping others to succeed. Meet Our Volunteers is an ongoing Q&A series highlighting the individuals who are crucial to the success of our programs.

Meet Ben Podbielski, Business Systems Analyst at Protective. Ben is an Atlanta native and has lived in Birmingham for almost two years.  He regularly volunteers for Super Code Sunday, a monthly club for kids ages 7-17 who like to code. Read on to learn more about Ben.

Hi Ben! Let’s get started — Tell us more about educational background and what you do at Protective.

I have a Bachelors in Computer Science from LaGrange College, Masters of Science in IT and MBA from Florida Institute of Technology and Masters of Science in Project Management from Southern New Hampshire University.

I currently work for Protective Life, a subsidiary of Dai-ichi Life. Protective Life is a financial service holding company founded and headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Originally established in 1907, we now market products and services in all 50 states. My current role is as a business systems analyst on the Enterprise IT Planning & Analytics team.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

In my free time I enjoy exploring all that Birmingham has to offer. Between the growing food scene, the large number of breweries, all of the different events, and the outdoor areas, such as Railroad Park, there is always something to do around downtown.

Why did you decide to volunteer with TechBirmingham?

I’ve personally experienced the difference that an experienced technology professional can have. In high school, I had a teacher, who taught various computer courses, who inspired me to start down the technology path. So I jumped at the opportunity to pay that forward and possibly provide that same inspiration.

What is your perspective of today’s tech scene in Birmingham? What opportunities do you see for these future generations?

The tech scene in Birmingham is growing and growing fast. When I lived in Atlanta, Birmingham was about as far away from a tech city as I could think of. Everyone knows the various companies that are based out of Birmingham, such as Southern Company, Protective Life, and Regions Bank; however, today, with companies such as Shipt and TheraNest being founded here, the perception of Birmingham is changing. While I don’t think we can ever get to a Silicon Valley level, I hope to see Birmingham becomes the place where anyone who has a technology dream is provided the opportunity to pursue it.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to kids that want to pursue a career in technology?

My one piece of advice would be to always ask why and how. Don’t just accept something. If your new piece of software or hardware has a new feature; why did they do that and how was it done? Those are the questions that help you to continue to push your own personal and professional boundaries.

Any other information you would like to share?

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

-Steve Jobs

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TechBirmingham thrives through its immensely talented and diverse group of member companies. Meet our Member Companies is an ongoing Q&A series highlighting this group of movers, shakers and makers in B’ham’s tech industry.

Meet Annie Allen, Owner and President of iSeek Solutions. Annie is a Huntsville native and has lived in Birmingham over 25 years. Read on to learn more about iSeek Solutions and the great things they are doing in Birmingham and beyond.

Hi Annie! Let’s get started — Tell us more about iSeek Solutions and your typical day.

As owner, president and principal consultant for iSeek Solutions, a boutique management consulting firm, I wear a lot of hats, which means an average day can consist of various tasks.

During normal business hours, I’m either working with clients to identify and prioritize their actual needs – through business process mapping, root cause analysis, requirements gathering or strategic planning – or partnering with vendors to design and implement customized solutions that meet the clients’ objectives.

The rest of my work day (or night) consists of further building the brand and promoting iSeek Solutions, networking for business development or partnering opportunities, and finally the operational aspects of keeping the lights on.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I’ve heard it said before, and I fully agree, that many people think the technology industry is all about software (app) development. Just as in the medical industry people still think primarily of doctors and nurses.

I began my IT career as a software developer, and I loved it. But I quickly came to see the divide between IT and the business. The analogy “men are from Mars and women are from Venus” can be applied to software developers and business end-users. They truly don’t speak the same language. And the belief of “build it and they will come” simply doesn’t work anymore. IT enables business, and the business must articulate the strategy and objectives in a way that allows IT to plan and implement accordingly.

How do you feel about B’ham’s tech scene?

Birmingham has a strong technology community. TechBirmingham, Innovation Depot and others are doing a great job spotlighting Birmingham’s tech successes, especially in the area of small businesses.

From a larger organization perspective, I’m very excited about the KeepITLocal initiative. I encourage every local organization to make the commitment to first look in its own community to fill its IT needs. Whatever the need, I can’t imagine that Birmingham doesn’t have available resources with the necessary expertise. It’s a WIN-WIN!

Anything else you’d like to share?

For iSeek Solutions, it’s personal! We focus our attention on developing customized solutions that meet our clients specific business needs. By combining the latest technologies and sound business practices with a personal touch, we guide our clients through the toughest business and technology challenges.

We strive to be a trusted partner who steers clients towards processes and technology that optimize performance, grow revenue, and lay a solid foundation for long-term success.

Thanks so much for sharing, Annie! 

Follow Annie online here:

LinkedIn

Twitter: @iSeekSolutionsI

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