This month, we’re spotlighting Kurt, Lead AWS Cloud Engineer, who’s been part of AnaVation for eight years. His journey with us has been marked by growth, commitment to honing his craft, and enthusiasm for technology and the arts.
Starting his early days as a trumpet performance major in college, he came to the realization that his passion for music may not have been the career path for him. This led him to pivot towards engineering. Since joining AnaVation, Kurt has dedicated a lot of time to developing skills as an AWS Cloud Developer by taking AWS courses, obtaining a certification, and consistently putting his knowledge to use. For Kurt, the chance to learn and implement new technologies has been a highlight. His work primarily revolves around creating new processes and automating existing ones, which he describes as his favorite part of the job.
Kurt speaks highly of AnaVation’s culture, describing it as a place of openness. “I feel like leadership wants us to understand the company and its goals and is willing to spend time discussing those things with us,” he reflects. This transparency has fostered a supportive environment where Kurt’s supervisors trust him to take lead, allowing him to work with autonomy and little guidance. When asked what keeps him at AnaVation, Kurt believes AnaVation has treated him very well and he enjoys his current assignment.
Beyond the office, Kurt is filled with diverse interests. His journey into music began when he watched a barbershop chorus perform at a car show a decade ago. “I saw the chorus singing and thought it looked like fun, so I joined,” he recalls. Since then, he has embraced the joy of singing in both a quartet and chorus, showcasing his talent and love for music. In addition, Kurt has spent years restoring a 1967 Mustang, amassing a skill set that would impress any car enthusiast. And on weekends, when the weather is warm, you can find him taking motorcycle trips to car shows across Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia. A cherished tradition that Kurt looks back on fondly involved family, food, and football. “When the kids were young was on New Year’s Day—we’d set up model trains, put out a big nacho bar spread, and watch football all day.” Now that his kids are all grown, it’s usually just football. “Man, I miss those nachos,” he reminisced.
Kurt exemplifies the diverse talent that makes AnaVation a special place to work.
