Appnovator Spotlight: Michael Blake

Meet Michael Blake, our Atlanta-based Technology Manager

We sat down (virtually) with Michael and found out more about his work, life, and passion for helping others and riding roller coasters!

What do you love most about what you do?

I enjoy helping people learn how to enjoy using the Atlassian toolset. 

What are you most proud of for your career?

I keep a positive attitude no matter what is going on around me.

What would you like to achieve in your career?

I would like to pass my knowledge to as many people as possible.

Where have you worked before and what valuable learnings did you acquire?

I've previously worked at Convergys and my biggest learning was that hard work and performance are important in equal measure. I started as a junior computer operator and 14 years later, held the title of Senior Manager.

What do you love most about working at Appnovation?

The openness – everyone is willing to help one another.

What does being an Appnovator mean to you?

Being an Appnovator means harnessing the power of technology to make customers' lives better.

What advice would you give to someone new to Appnovation or interested in working at Appnovation?

Be open with everyone, do not be afraid to ask questions as the team members bring a lot of experience and knowledge to the table.

My biggest accomplishment in life is:

I was able to help my parents when they needed assistance. It brought us closer together as a family.

What do you do outside of work? i.e. hobbies, special interests, etc.

I do a lot of voiceovers for suprememastertv.com and act as the primary camera person for the North Carolina and South Carolina area. I volunteer 3-6 hours per week at the Humane Society of York County.

If you came over to my house for dinner, I'd make you:

A celebration (vegan) roast baked with rosemary potatoes and carrots. 

The bravest thing I've done is:

With both of our pastors out with emergencies, I led the service and delivered a sermon that I had prepared with about 15 minutes' notice to our congregation of over 900 people.

My dream vacation is to:

Take a cruise around the world to see sights around our beautiful planet.

If I was a song, I would be ... (we'd also love to know why):

"White Christmas" by Irving Berlin. The song lifts up people during the holidays.

If I was a cartoon character, I would be:

The Disney character Goofy. I am tall and sometimes stand out awkwardly in a crowd, but am not afraid to start conversations.

The most fun I ever had was:

Riding roller coasters all day long with my friends at Kings Island in Cincinnati.

My fondest memory is:

Dozing off with my cat, Chris, sleeping in my lap. He passed away this year.

I feel happiest when:

I am helping someone overcome obstacles in their lives.

Tell us an awesome fact about you that few people know about:

I am an ordained Deacon in the Southern Baptist Convention.

What’s your personal definition of success?

Success is being able to use my knowledge to help someone else.

What does “being successful” mean to you?

Being successful means that people seek you out when they have questions because they know that I will listen to their problem and find a solution quickly.

What are you looking forward to learning and/or doing next in your career?

When Covid-19 protocols are lifted, I would like to go to customer sites to provide in-person training and coaching.

Want to learn about joining our team? Follow Appnovation on LinkedIn or visit our Careers page to apply to one of our open positions (yes, we’re hiring!).