The TempWorks Implementation Team

Happy New Year everybody! I thought I would start the year by giving you a little more background to our implementation team at TempWorks. Each of these individuals are working very hard this week on new software installations. This team has over 30 years of staffing software implementation experience.

I tip my cap to each of these team members. I know it is no easy task to install enterprise level staffing software, conduct data conversions, manage their time, as well as manage many different projects.

Below is our team, as well as a brief description about each of them:

• Sairah Tran - Manager of Consulting & Technical Services:

Sairah came to TempWorks in October 2002 as a support center specialist. During that time she displayed exceptional skills in providing quality customer service while thoroughly learning the system from both a technical and end user perspective. She moved into the implementation department where she has continued to thrive. She is currently the Manager of our implementation team.

Prior to TempWorks, Sairah was with a mortgage company in Chicago where she worked as a web designer and loan processor. She brings with her a bachelor’s degree in computer science and electronic commerce from DePaul University in Chicago.

Her friendly nature and willingness to jump into any project where help is needed is what makes her well liked. When asked what she enjoys most about her affiliation with TempWorks, Sairah cites the people and day-to-day challenges of her position.

Sairah and her cat, Zoha, reside in Inver Grove Heights, MN where she enjoys reading, traveling, and researching different cultures and traditions.

• Musa Zaidi - Sr. Implementation Specialist:

Musa first came to TempWorks as an intern in July of 2004; six months later, he was hired on as a full-time employee. Starting in our support department, Musa worked his way up to our Implementation Team. Musa enjoys working at TempWorks because of the friendly atmosphere and pleasant work environment.

Prior to joining the TempWorks crew, Musa worked for the Database Research Group (DBRG). His primary responsibilities included conducting research on their active database and presenting his findings to the group. Musa obtained his skills by attending Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Computer Science.
Musa keeps active by regularly running and working out. Other favorite pastimes include listening to music, watching movies, and participating in good-natured debates with friends on a variety of topics. Musa originally came to the United States from Pakistan; he currently resides in Eagan, MN.

• Ali Virani - Sr. Implementation Specialist:

Starting as a Support Center Specialist for TempWorks in January of 2005, Ali Virani has worked his way up to his current role as a Sr. Analyst on our Implementation Team. Ali’s skills and experience range to a variety of projects and he has extensive knowledge working with our General Ledger application. He is also an expert when it comes to time card implementation, both in-house and client development requests, delivering daily software support, the Accounts Payable application, performing system upgrades and initiating implementations.

Ali earned a Bachelors of Science degree from Minnesota State University in Mankato, majoring in Computer Science. He is currently continuing his education at the University of St. Thomas, where he is working towards his Masters in Business Administration, with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Operations Management.

Ali may be quiet and laid back in nature when at TempWorks, but outside of work, he likes to have fun and remain active. Ali enjoys working-out, both watching and playing cricket, playing pool and taking in a good movie.

• Jathan Moline - Sr. Implementation Specialist:

Jathan is known around the office for his humor and good nature that always make him a joy to work with. Since starting at TempWorks in April of 2005, he has not only been a great asset, but has managed to keep the staff at TempWorks chuckling at his witty comments. He attests his good mood to the great co-workers and customers he has the privilege to work with everyday.

Initially working as a member of our Support Center team, his talent and great customer relations skills quickly moved Jathan into his current role as an Account Manager. Wearing many hats that produce an exhaustive list of duties, Jathan’s main responsibilities include Project Management, Implementation, Sales, Development and Support.

A foundation for his skills, Jathan completed his education at the Minnesota School of Business, where he achieved an AAS Software Development degree.

Prior to joining TempWorks, Jathan worked for Trumed Technologies, a medical manufacturing firm. He held positions as Distribution Manager, Quality Manager and Materials Manager, each requiring the talent for various skills.

In his personal time, Jathan enjoys writing modules for video games, cooking on the grill, spending time with friends and tirelessly honing his golf game.

A native Minnesotan, Jathan spent part of his childhood in the southern part of the state, then moved north to the Iron Range. He is one of the rare individuals that worked outside in Towers, Minn., back in the winter of 1996, when the temperature dipped to a state record low of a daunting sixty degrees below zero! Jathan now calls Farmington, MN, home.

• Michael Bracy - Implementation Specialist:

Michael Bracy, who works in the TempWorks support center. He’s been working with our company for since 2007; prior to coming to TempWorks, Mike ran a soccer warehouse in Wisconsin, where he grew up.

Mike graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2004 with three degrees: in international business, marketing and real estate. “But I was always into computers and IT stuff, and when I got the opportunity to TempWorks and work in IT, I was pretty excited,” He says.

Mike recently commented on a significant challenge he needed to overcome at one of our customers. “I was sent to a customer office and their payroll department had just quit,” he remembers. “And their IT guy quit, too. I was originally there to just do general support, but ended up training them through their payroll process. It was one of the most difficult positions I’ve been in. “But working through that situation helped me learn more about the staffing industry and the payroll department.”

One of the reasons Mike was interested in joining the Implementation team was to assist current customers. “One aspect of the implementation department is to perform upgrades to existing client systems, so the company has the newest and greatest things that TempWorks has to offer,” he explains. “That is a great accomplishment.”

• Todd Glander - Implementation Specialist:

With TempWorks for almost four years now, Todd Glander is known for his good humor and is a valued member of the TempWorks team. Originally he started in our Support Center, but Todd is now a part of the implementation division where he is responsible for support, implementations, data conversions and development for these solutions.

Todds skills come from self-taught disciplined learning; following a CCNA course taken during high school, Todd taught himself about SQL, Access, VB and other technologies. Todd's previous employment record shows a strong background in a variety of positions within the technology field. Though he has an impressive job history, Todd proclaims TempWorks to be the best place he has ever worked. "We have very talented people working here and I feel honored to be able to be on the TempWorks team," says Todd.

A resident of Lake City, Minn., Todd shares his love and talent with technology. As the founding President of a non-profit organization that assists in growing the interest and knowledge of technology in people, Todd's group offers hardware and resources to participants and organizes LAN parties that provide computers to those who can't afford one. Donations are collected to provide computers to underprivileged teens for use in their own homes.

When Todd isn't working at his non-profit, he focuses on running his wireless ISP company and enjoying time spent with robotics, trap and target shooting and brewing his own beer.

• Korey VanDeWalker - Implementation Specialist:

Korey VanDewalker, a TempWorks employee since August of 2007. He began as a Support Specialist and quickly moved his way up to the Implementation Team.

Prior to TempWorks Korey had quite the adventure. After graduating from Lake City high school he began College in Dallas, Texas. He spent a year there before moving back to his grassroots location in SE Minnesota, where he attended college in Rochester.

He soon took a job at Hilton Tool and Die, where he designed plastic injection mold machines. He took on many projects there, including the design for the Wizard toilet bowel cleaner handle. Korey was also a member of the United States Navy, where he spent most of his time at the Lake Naval Hospital in Chicago.

Thanks to Todd Glander, Korey heard to TempWorks and began his career here. When asked what makes him happy to call TempWorks home, Korey expressed his love of the great work environment , “Everyone I work with is cool” says VandeWalker. Korey also enjoys the opportunities for advancement here at TempWorks. Starting off as a Support Specialist, Korey was about to move into implementation in less than a year.

Korey currently lives in Inver Grove Heights. When Korey isn’t at work, you can find him rebuilding computers, playing world war craft or his personal favorite, knitting.