 Manager of Network Security"I came from a small project management background and Macy's Systems and Technology gave me the opportunity to manage and oversee some large projects. I knew that it would give me a lot more project management experience across different technical arenas. I have stayed because I really enjoy what I do and the people I work with."
 | Why did you join Macy's Systems and Technology and why have you stayed? |
I came from a small project management background and Macy's Systems and Technology gave me the opportunity to manage and oversee some large projects. I knew that it would give me a lot more project management experience across different technical arenas. I have stayed because I really enjoy what I do and the people I work with.
| What do you enjoy most about what you do and what are your overall job responsibilities? |
I enjoy helping my customers. I am very customer oriented - even though I have to say "no" a lot because of security issues. I get a lot of gratification from helping my customers. My responsibilities encompass technical network security, which means I handle security across all of the infrastructures for Macy's, Inc. I make sure that desktops are secure, servers are secure, people can't hack into our infrastructure and I keep unauthorized third party connections out of our systems.
| What contribution do you make to your division and how do you feel you make a difference? |
I think the main contribution I make is giving the divisions the opportunity to share information in a secure way. Many of the different Families of Business (FOBs) come to my group with an idea, and we work with them towards a secure solution. So, the biggest contribution my team and I make is giving people the insight on how to look at things more securely and still be able to offer the wide range of connectivity they need.
| What has been your most memorable moment since joining the company? |
I think the most memorable moment was receiving the Chairman's Award for moving the Macy's Systems and Technology division from Norcross, Georgia to our current location in Duluth, Georgia. I was responsible for coordinating the relocation of employee offices. I made sure desks, PCs, telephones, etc. were moved and functioning in the new location. That was a really big project for me and receiving the Chairman's Award was really a nice recognition.
| How has the training you've received since joining the company benefited you? |
I have done internal training at Macy's Systems and Technology as well as a few outside training sessions on my own. I think the CBT courses have definitely been of benefit to me by giving me the practical knowledge I need about computers, networks and the Macy's Systems and Technology infrastructure. I did take a certification course through Georgia Tech for project management and that has been very helpful. The most valuable training I receive at Macy's Systems and Technology is working hands-on with my colleagues. It gives me the opportunity to learn from people who work for me and from my peers. If I have any questions the resources are right here.
| Is community involvement important to you, have you been involved in any projects in your division and was this something you considered when joining the company? |
Absolutely. I have chaired the Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society for two years. This year I was the chairperson for Macy's Systems and Technology for the Bag Hunger campaign. I really like to be involved in the community as much as I can.
| What do you like best about your work environment? |
The dress code, the flexibility, the people, the building the offices - I just like the whole work atmosphere. It is a great place to work.
| What personal interests/hobbies do you have and how do you balance them with your work? |
I play tennis a lot. I also enjoy walking and spending quality family time with my children and my husband. You have to have balance in work and family to be a well-rounded person. I try to make sure my family doesn't get lost in my work. I pick certain times during the week or on the weekends and devote that to my family and try to forget about work.
| What advice would you give to a new executive joining the company? What helped you establish yourself and move ahead with your career goals? |
Try to learn as much as you can from your peers and your coworkers. Be very open to new solutions and new ideas and definitely get involved in Partners in Time. One of the major things I finished in January was the Macy's Systems and Technology mentoring program. The program really helped me establish where I want to go in my career, what I want to be doing and what I don't want to be doing. The mentoring program definitely helped me define what career path I want to take.
| What do you see in the future for Macy's, Inc. and the department store industry? |
For Macy's, Inc., I see a huge growth in technology. There is a lot of new and exciting technology being developed, and we are looking to make it part of our infrastructure. The future is new technology and new applications that our customers are going to be able to use in our stores.
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