This month’s staff spotlight focuses on Andy Harris, Xyntax’s General Manager. Andy has been working for Xyntax since 2013 and has seen the company through its growth and transition, handling all the challenges that accompany it with smoothness and efficiency. His favourite aspect of working with the group at Xyntax is the collective team spirit, that mutual trust among coworkers to allow each other the freedom to get the job done well.
If there was any doubt that Xyntax technology and expertise has a positive and lasting impact on users’ lives, Andy can tell you from experience that it does:
“One such example is when I last visited a particular band council and was one-on-one training a housing clerk AR, she broke down in tears as we managed to clear three years’ backlog of work in a little over two hours. That moment deeply resonates with me.”
Andy has lived in many places around the world, including South Harting, Lewes, Seaford, and Ongar in the UK, as well as Calgary and now Cochrane, Alberta.
“I loved living in Ongar as I rented a two-bedroom suite in a 15th century house where “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” originated. Jane Taylor lived there for a while. Anyway the house was full of ghosts! I also loved Seaford for the seaside experience during my teenage years. However, Cochrane is located in one of the most beautiful places on earth (and believe me I have experienced many) and is so close to many others, hence why I have lived in this particular area for half my life.”
Andy has been an avid supporter for charitable organizations such as the War Amps, Muscular Dystrophy, and the Red Cross. Andy is also a competitive soccer (aka football) player and holds a Guinness World Record for participating in the longest indoor five-a-side soccer game (42 hours, 1 minute). He also loves music, plays darts, does fly fishing, hiking, camping, skiing, and loves to travel. When asked what three words would best describe himself, he chose “loyal, kind, and strong,” and his top choice for a superpower, should he ever be offered it, is time travel.
Andy’s favourite movie line, from The Karate Kid:
“Man who catch fly with chopstick accomplish anything.”
Apparently Andy has actually done this:
“The thing is I actually achieved this without looking at the annoying fly, and I have a witness to this brilliance too. I have never been able to repeat it since.”
When asked what his best career lesson is, Andy says to “always get it in black and white” (in writing).
Andy’s favourite quotes:
“Practice like you’ve never won; perform like you’ve never lost.”
“I am the eye of the storm; I stay calm and centered regardless of anything.”
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