STAFF PROFILE
JAMES HENDRY, General Manager – Commercial
“Every year blueAPACHE enters a new phase of growth which is more accelerated than the year before. Keeping up with this pace relies on our ability to constantly try new things while maintaining our customer-centric focus.”
What was your first job?
My first job was with Australia Post at their National Retail Helpdesk. It involved supporting the point of sale of IT related equipment like printers and scanners at a national level.
I was there for about 18 months. I actually first met Ed from the Service Desk team back at Australia Post in the late 1990’s.
What is your background? How did you get into IT?
Growing up in the 80’s, it was impossible to predict the way technology would come to change our lives. Back then, technology wasn’t ‘hip’ or ‘cool’ or revolutionising the world the way it is today.
But I have always harboured a keen interest in IT and this was further strengthened by my association with Chris, Grant and Mark. All of us went to the same school and took up technology related pursuits after high school.
One day, I was helping Chris move a wheelie bin full of IT equipment from one end of Railway Parade to another, between offices in Blackburn, when he mentioned that he had an opportunity for a technician role. I took it up immediately. It is absolutely phenomenal to still be working with these guys.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
The people.
We have such an eclectic bunch of individuals here, from various backgrounds, and with different personalities and skills. But when you bring them all together as a team, they are capable of achieving extraordinary things. The shared passion for IT and for delivering the best possible outcomes for our customers brings the team together.
What is the most challenging aspect of your role?
Every year blueAPACHE enters a new phase of growth which is more accelerated than the year before. We are the only IT provider to secure a ranking on every CRN Fast50 since 2009.
Keeping up with this pace of year-on-year growth can be challenging at times. It relies on our ability to constantly try new things while maintaining our customer-centric focus.
If you could change one thing about working here, what would it be?
With the tremendous growth that we are seeing year on year, I think it is fair to say we are running out of space at our Johnston street office. It would be great to have more office space for the team.
We are actively looking to expand and I am confident that something will be finalised soon.
What would you be doing if you weren’t at your current job?
I’d be an Electrician. I reckon I would be pretty good at it.
Tell us a little about your family.
Catherine and I were married in 2008. We have three boys Charlie, Jack and Ned aged 6, 4 and 1 respectively.
We also have an 8 year old Labrador named Ruby. We live in Glen Iris in our nearly-renovated house which has been an ongoing saga for the past couple of years.
Fill in the blank: If you really knew me, you’d know _____
That I can’t stand coriander.
It tastes offensive to me, almost like soap. It is not just a dislike though, a genetic study has found that hating coriander could be hard-wired into your genes.
What TV show / movie are you ashamed to admit you love?
I do not watch much television. But my wife is an ardent fan of The Block and I end up watching it with her. Every season I promise myself I won’t watch it, but that is yet to happen.
Where is your favourite place to eat?
The Flower Drum on Market Lane. I reckon they have the best quail in Melbourne. It can be quite hard to cook quail, but they always do a perfect job of it.
For a consultation on IT as a Service or to start an I-hate-coriander community, James can be reached through our Melbourne Office.