Employee Spotlight: Matthew Worster, Solution Development Manager

We’re pleased to introduce you to Matt Worster, our solution development manager in the Broomfield, Colorado, office. Matt works closely with our internal team and customers to help put out the market’s most valuable field data collection product. Let’s get to know Matt.

Please describe your role.

My role is unlike any other I’ve noticed in any organization within the industry. It allows us to remain closely connected with the marketplace and what the real needs are. I typically get in early to catch up on emails, perform integration testing with newer enhancements, help the sales team with product demos and follow up with customers on previous trainings and support questions.

When I’m not on-site with customers, I’m typically running back and forth between the sales offices, support staff, and our chief technology officer’s and IKE product manager’s lair. I have a hard time sitting still, so I’m up and about often around the Broomfield office.

What’s a typical day in the office life?

I’m not sure if there’s ever a typical day in the office for me, but I’m lucky because I probably have the coolest job at ikeGPS. I was originally hired to assist with presales and data integration into pole loading applications, such as SPIDACalc and O-Calc. The job somewhat morphed into a training role with presales and post-sales support, deployment management, and functionality testing on new software enhancements. I get to work face to face with customers while retaining close connections with the sales and development teams to ensure that we’re adding the right enhancements based on what our customers need or require to be successful.

What were you doing before you joined ikeGPS?

I worked on and off for Alden Systems for about seven years where I focused on various projects in the pole business. I took a break to travel overseas and obtain my master’s in international relations while living in London, Geneva, Vienna, Amsterdam and Bangkok. At Alden, I had a similar role regarding the customer-facing link between the development team, but I mainly focused on project management and program management functions and managed various projects within the telecommunications industry.

Why did you decide to join ikeGPS?

We were originally pitched the IKE 3 when I was working for Alden, and I loved the technology. It was a great opportunity for me to transfer from the operations side of the industry to a hybrid role where I get to focus on the technology aspect of providing a high-quality solution to our customers. Focusing on the implementation and deployment of our solution utilizes my operations background while allowing me to come up with creative ways to make the product better.

I love this role: I get to play with lasers and work with a great team that is changing the industry. There is no other solution in the marketplace that captures the richness of data in the most efficient way possible.

What did you want to be when you grow up?

That’s a hard one because I don’t know if I ever have grown up. I’m happy where I am today. I have a beautiful and intelligent wife, Jenny, and a 4-year-old son, Aden, and work in a cool niche industry within the technology market. I wanted to work for the State Department or one of the intelligence agencies post-master’s, and I went to the third round of the foreign service exams, but I realized that my skill set is better utilized within the infrastructure management side of society rather than politics.

What are some of your favorite outside office activities?

I enjoy going skiing and snowboarding and hiking with my family. We are avid travelers and have already been to nearly 30 countries. I would say that my favorite activity is getting lost somewhere in a foreign land, immersing ourselves in the local culture, and always trying to find new and adventurous things to do.

If you could create your perfect meal, what would it be?

I would have to say that my favorite type of food is Mediterranean. My wife grew up in Israel and introduced me to shawarma and hummus the proper way. My favorite meal is lamb shawarma from a local restaurant in Old Town Jerusalem that cooks all day on the spit with homemade hummus and falafel. I am trying to cut down on them, but I am a sucker for Coca Cola and must have one with that meal.

What’s your dream vacation?

Wow, that’s also a tough one. I’m an active traveler and never like to sit still. Even relaxing on an island in the Cayes in Belize, I still must do something like snorkeling or fishing. We’ve been to quite a few places, but I still have some bucket-list items left. Perhaps hiking around Kathmandu in the Himalayas or experiencing ancient civilizations in far-off places like Machu Picchu would be top of that list. We’re heading to Australia in March to dive the Great Barrier Reef and then hike around Milford Sound, so that is also a fun trip coming up. Plus, I get to see the team in Wellington while I’m out there.