This is the first installment of our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

This month, we’re featuring Ryan, Brightwing’s 2017 Employee of the Year. He’s exemplified what it means to be a Brightwinger in so many ways—how could we not pick him first? Thanks, Ryan!

 

What do you love most about working at Brightwing?

It’s the people and the growth opportunity that is offered. We have a very unique culture that includes many outgoing and driven individuals who strive to better themselves every day. You can see this in the growth potential evident in all aspects of our business.

 

What is it about Brightwing that attracted you to work here?

The family-oriented culture and the “work-hard, play-hard” atmosphere. Along with the work-hard culture, there is a tremendous opportunity to further yourself personally and financially.

 

What 3 qualities make someone successful at Brightwing?

  1.    1. Being driven by staying focused and committed
  2.    2. The ability to adjust to changes in the marketplace
  3.    3. Willingness to challenge the status quo

 

How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?

Brightwing gives me the opportunity to develop myself professionally and personally. It is not always about work; management also cares about your personal life and how it impacts you on a professional level. Brightwing’s management wants you to develop goals that will not only make for a better employee, but a better person.

 

What advice would you give new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions—executives practice an open-door policy for a reason. They want you to develop yourself, but you can’t sit around waiting to be told what to do.

 

What is your funniest memory of your time so far at Brightwing?

Camp Brightwing! Having employees from all our locations in one place is a lot of fun. Bringing everyone together leads to an endless number of funny and friendly memories. Even better, I also get to see my brother, who is at our Texas branch.

 

Tell me about a time you had to go outside of your comfort zone at work and what was the outcome. 

I would say when I was training to be an account support; I stepped out of my comfort zone while supporting a fellow business development manager. We had weekly updates with our client. Without notice, my colleague put me on the spot and asked me to give the update to our client’s executive team.  My colleague was training me to think on my feet, and because I had invested so much time in recruiting for and managing the account, I had no problem running the client through our recruiting update and our plans for the following week.

 

What do you hope to accomplish in your next 12 months at Brightwing?

My goal for the next 12 months is to establish Brightwing in the Pittsburgh market as a go-to firm for the finance and accounting industry.

 

What 3 words best describe you?

Driven, Attentive, Honest

 

What’s your morning routine?

My morning routine begins with getting to the office early! I like to run through our weekly and monthly goals to see where we stand, and then decide on the daily tasks for the office. Of course, I like to do this while enjoying my breakfast and coffee.

 

What motivates you?

I am motivated by SUCCESS! I move fast and need to accomplish every task that is set in front of me. I need to turn my success into a motivator for myself personally and for those around me.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

If I could go anywhere it would be Dublin, Ireland. I am part Irish and would like to see Ireland, including the castles, museums, and churches. Since Scotland would be close by, a side trip to play some golf would be awesome—because I am obsessed with golf.

 

Fun fact:

I love saltwater fish. I grew up raising goldfish; in fact, a tiny goldfish that I bought in high school grew to be the size of a large coffee cup. When I moved to Pittsburgh, I gave him away to a friend who had a dozen fish tanks. My dream is to have a saltwater tank, and one day I will reward myself with one.

 

Visit Ryan’s Profile