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April’s Employee Spotlight: Kristopher M.
Debra: Welcome, fans. Thank you all for joining us again on another episode of Employee Spotlight here for the month of April. We have Kris Martel; Kris say hi to everybody.
Kris: Hi, everybody. How are you?
Debra: So, Kris, tell us a little bit about how long you've been at Lionzone and what your role is here.
Kris: I have been here a little over five years, really six years in September. And my role is the director of Web Development. So, anything that has to do pertaining our websites or any kind of websites that we make, any kind of network related items, that's usually my area of expertise.
Debra: Very interesting. So, what motivates you to get up and come in here to work each day?
Kris: Coffee? No, no. To be honest, the ability to really kind of get a grasp of new technology and new ways to conquer small issues, ways to be able to think outside the box and fix the, fix any small problems we are having or any kind of, really kind of getting a grasp on how to better grow our company with our technology. That's part of what really gives me a good drive for working here.
Debra: Building upon the last question, what is it that you like most about LZ in particular?
Kris: Well, I think the one thing that I really enjoy the most about working here is the teamwork that we really have. There's a lot of efforts by everybody here to really combine their technological experiences, and just experience as a whole, and really come together and give a product that customers really can't find elsewhere. And I think what we're able to do as a whole is just, just fantastic. And I love coming in every day and seeing that.
Debra: We love you coming in every day. If you had to describe L.Z. in three words, what words would you use?
Kris: Well, you know, I think it's a great question. I think teamwork is obviously one. We work so well together here at Lionzone. Experience is another. I mean, 23 years in this business and the experience that our company has to offer is always second to none. And I think quality is something that I think we put really a lot behind in this business, especially in this company, and delivering and meeting our clients’ expectations is second to none.
Debra: Thank you. So, if you have to give us one lesson you've learned through your time here, what do you think that would be?
Kris: You know, I think one of the, one of the big things that I've taken out of my five or six years, almost six years working here, is that there comes a need for a measure of focus. And that's something that I think a lot of us find difficult at times, really, regardless of what kind of business you’re, what kind of job you’re in, you're staying focused is a really hard part in this day and age in maintaining that focus when you're doing the job that needs to have those small details checked out. And I think that's one of the things that, you know, I've been able to really kind of get a hold of and really kind of maintain. And, you know, while I'm sure it's a pain point, sometimes for some people, especially myself, I mean, I'm not, I'm not, I'm not outside that circle, but it's something that is still, you know, I work hard to really keep respected and it's something that took me a while to learn. But, you know, like everything we do nowadays, we're all still learning every day.
Debra: So, if you don't learn something every day, you might as well just die, right?
Kris: Yes, exactly. Right. Yes.
Debra: So, moving on to something a little bit more personal. Could you tell us, you know, what's the one thing you really can't live without?
Kris: My family. You know, it's a big one for me. Of course, I'm married. I've got four kids, and they're my world. You know, it's really, that's where I know the one thing I can't live without. And, you know, it's, I always envisioned, you know, how little, little things in your life always affect where you're at and how things end up. And one of the things that I can really never envision is my life without my wife and my kids. And it's something that I think that's an easy answer for me. I can't live without them.
Debra: I understand completely. I feel quite the same way about my own family. When you're not with us here, I assume you're spending quite a bit of time with that lovely family of yours. Tell us a little bit about your time outside of work.
Kris: That's really, kind of, that's a very open-ended question. We do spend a lot of time in softball fields; my two oldest daughters are on travel teams. So, when I'm not here at the office, usually we're at practice or we're at tournaments. So, one of my daughters is on a team that is 2 hours away from here. So, we are, we have to travel at least once a week to the far western corner of the state and back. So, it's a fun, it's a fun little trip, but gives me a chance to really get behind the plate yell at some umpires, try not to get kicked out. It's always a lot of fun. So, I'm a big fan of video games. I try not to waste too much time playing them because I've been known to get yelled at and, subsequently, for playing video games. So, I can't spend a lot of time, but I do, I do put in some hours here and there on some. And, you know, I'm a big fan of Bourbon. That's something that really came up over the last couple of years, but I've become a really big aficionado behind it and that's enjoyable. And finally, finally, I have, I used to do a lot of writing and did a lot of radio work. I covered the Nashville Predators for about ten years. I got a published book, Tales of the Nashville Predators Locker Room; you can find it on Amazon. So, it's yeah, it's got a four and a half stars; keep that rating up. So yeah, it's good.
Debra: I'm anxious to read it, and I have to ask a loaded question.
Kris: Sure. I like it.
Debra: What's your favorite bourbon?
Kris: Oh, my goodness. You know, if we're going all around, I think Weller Antique is probably my favorite. It is the Red Label. Weller, people, who are in and around Bourbon, know that can't find it anywhere because people hoard it. You know, oh, yeah. oh, yeah. That's like my all-around favorite bourbon. That's and it's, it's one that it's a daily pour for me.
Debra: Wonderful. Well, one more question and I will let you about your day; what is your favorite place in the whole world?
Kris: Oh, man. I've been there probably about 15, 20 times at this point. It's really got to be Disney World. As a child, I only was able to go twice. And it was when I was early in my, I was pre-teen and then later in my, as a teenager and, I had a blast and I was like, you know, when I grow up, I'm going to take my kids there. And for about eight years straight, we went at least once a year. And that's for those who have never been. It's a very expensive trip. Now, we're all very fortunate that my in-laws have a timeshare, so it makes them more cost efficient for us. But at the same time, it's still expensive to go to Disney World. I still would say, though, that that's probably my favorite place to go. And no matter how agitated I may get at lines of the people there, I always come away with a good experience. And that's really hard for me to say because lots of places I go, I always squabble on my way out, but I mean, Disney, I’m not wanting to do that.
Debra: I've never heard a better endorsement for Disney. Won’t make you mad.
Kris: Doesn't do that.
Debra: Kris, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to us. Join us again next month when we speak to James Nance.
