Our next ALI Employee Spotlight features another one of our Senior Client Executives, Pam Shutters. Pam is well known throughout Virginia and West Virginia amongst IT professionals. She has earned the trust of clients across the Mid-Atlantic. We thought it would be fun to let you hear more about some of her favorite moments and best practices in her career to date.
Pam’s experiences along the way have led she and her son to their current home in Roanoke, Virginia. Pam brings a joyful and focused approach to life. She loves her job, her clients, and when not at work… spending time with her family.
What drew you to Business Development?
“Early in my career, I got repeated advice that my skills would be really suited for Business Development. My colleagues were never as comfortable reaching out to meet potential clients. I, on the other hand, loved to do this! I got lots of early experience, not to mention new clients to help. I quickly figured out this was a career I could really thrive in.”
What’s your favorite memory from your career?
“Back in 2005, no one on my team could get into a particular company we knew might be a great match for our services. We tried everything, but couldn’t get in. So, I decided to try something a little unconventional. I had recently bought a new pair of shoes. I hadn’t even taken them out of the box. I ended up taking one shoe out of the pair, drove right over to the post office, and mailed it to that company’s VP of IT. I called him and said, “now that I have one foot in the door, can I please come in for my other shoe?” It worked! Even better, we’re still doing business.”
What core values are most important to you?
“There are two that come to my mind. Top of my list is integrity, hands down. Clients need to know that they can trust you and that you are committed to their success. Second, you have to believe in what you’re doing and the team you work with. If you’re not fully invested, it will show. When you have that commitment, clients will know it. That’s so important. It makes a difference.”
What drew you to ALI?
“A couple things. I knew people who had previously worked for ALI and spoke highly of the team. After hearing so much positive about ALI, I decided to reach out to Mike Barry, ALI’s CEO. After all, I specialize in executive conversations! That initial conversation led to an interview with the team.
While I was interviewing with Mike, he shared the story of how and why he started the company. It became clear to me that ALI is mission-driven to deliver on a very particular vision for IT services. He was particularly focused on their new Brush Mountain Data Center. To him , the future was much more cloud and services driven to solve business objectives. I knew this was the company I wanted to work for.”
What is the most rewarding aspect of what you do here?
“Knowing that my customers trust me, our engineers, the entire ALI team. We provide them the assurance that we will help them achieve their objectives. We’re a safety net as well as their trusted colleagues.”
What’s your favorite aspect of your job?
“No one will believe this, but my favorite part is meeting new potential clients. I straight up love it. A lot of people aren’t comfortable with the kind of work I do, but uncovering an unmet need and addressing it is rewarding. Picking up the phone, making that connection, and then being able to help a client solve a problem…. now, that’s what I enjoy.”
What accomplishments in your life are you most proud of?
“My son and family are number one of course. They bring so much joy into my life. I don’t know where I’d be without them. I have been a high performer, attaining President’s Club eight times. Also, I love everything and anything medical. My dream job for a while was to be a trauma surgeon. So, while I did not become a trauma surgeon, I did become an EMT.”
What are some of your favorite hobbies?
“I have a couple! One is that I love to sing. I’ve been singing my whole life! I honestly just love music. I also love shopping. With shopping, you get your exercise and retail therapy all in one. How great is that? Probably my favorite hobby, though, is traveling. I have a bucket list of places I’d like to go, and I am working my way through the list.”
Are you looking for a fresh perspective for your IT needs? Now that you have gotten to know Pam a little better, why not reach out and schedule time to have your own conversation!
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