Meet a Team Member - Tina Featheringham

Describe your position at Vertical Solutions.
I am the newest member of the team, joining just two weeks ago as an Account Manager. I have spent the last eleven years working with two of the largest Microsoft Partners in the U.S., helping clients improve their success. I will be available as your dedicated contact and advocate within Vertical Solutions. Feel free to contact me anytime at tfeatheringham@verticalsol.com.

Where were you born and live?
While I was born in Runcorn, England, I consider Washington, D.C. to be home. I have also spent several years in Boston, Massachusetts. I am currently staying with family in Canonsburg while I figure out where I am going to live. Anyone have a great suggestion for a single person who misses the city?

How did you join Vertical Solutions?
This is a bit of a funny story. I was visiting my brother for the Super Bowl this year, when the back-to-back snow storms hit, and was unable to return home to D.C. I was a bit bored and started surfing the web to see if what the Microsoft Partner community was like here in Pittsburgh, and came across Vertical Solutions site. I was really impressed by the work they were doing, and sent Bruce Nelson my resume as a lark. Short end to the story, he held on to it, contacted me and here I am!

What is the first question that you would ask someone who is considering a new solution for their organization?
Since I work with our clients, I don’t technically come across someone who is considering a “new” solution - kind of the opposite in fact. The first question I ask is: are you getting the greatest possible value out of your current system?

What industry/industries are you currently focused on?
While Vertical Solutions specializes in several key industries; I get to work with all our clients from all over. I am amazed at the variety of organizations that benefit from our solutions! I have worked with everyone from a bakery who makes the buns for a fast food chain to a pharmaceutical manufacturer who milks horseshoe crabs.

What was a small mistake that you’ve seen an organization make with their systems that had a big consequence?
Not understanding the value of their enhancement/ software assurance plan and decide to not stay current. First, they are missing tremendous benefits beyond access to new releases. But, most important, they can get burned with a huge fee when staying with current functionality becomes unbearable.

What is your background picture on your desktop right now?
It is a picture of my toes at the Youghiogheny Reservoir. My family has owned a cabin on the lake for over 40 years now, and it will be great to be so near to it!