Get to know six new coworkers through their answers to fun and goofy questions.
Shelly Ryan (Katona), Pharmacy Technician Intermediate – Rx Express
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? I am a true Yinzer.
Do you have any kids? Any pets? I have 2 girls, ages 10 and 7. I have 3 dogs (German Shepherd, Hound mix, and Chihuaha) 2 cats, a hamster, and 4 chickens. Yes, my house is a zoo.
What’s in your perfect meal? A nice giant bowl of Pasta!
Which is better: board games or video games? Board Games.
Dave Zynn, President of Infectious Disease Connect, Inc.
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? I grew up just outside of Philadelphia but have lived in Pittsburgh for over 30 years.
Do you have any kids? Any pets? Two sons, 24 and 22 and a one-year old Labradoodle named Luca.
What’s your favorite quote from a movie or TV series? Leave the gun, take the cannoli (from Godfather I – please note my dogs name).
If any musician or band could give you a personal concert, who would it be? JJ Grey and Mofro.
Greg Barry, Software Engineer – Tech Lead/Support
How did you get into the industry? Natural progression from Hardware engineer to Software engineer.
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? From Pittsburgh originally, lived in some other cities but returned back to Pittsburgh.
Do you have any kids? Any pets? 1 Daughter, 1 Collie Dog.
Kevin Susko, Software Engineer – Manager
How did you get into the industry? I’ve been in software my entire career since college.
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? Pittsburgh native my whole life.
Do you have any kids? Any pets? Two Daughters (5 and 2 years old) … my life is princesses and pink (see image!)
What’s your least favorite word? “Literally”
Stacey Banks, Program Manager Technical
Do you have any kids? Any pets? 2 cats (Harley and Quinn) and 2 rabbits (Cadbury and Zoey).
If any musician or band could give you a personal concert, who would it be? Halestorm.
Which is better: board games or video games? Video games! (I own pretty much every console.)
Free space: Share any fun fact! I’m a state champion bowler.
Theresa Dean (Terry), Engineering Manager – Kamioka
How did you get into the industry? Computer Science degree from Pitt and started as a junior software developer after graduation.
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? Local…grew up in the North Hills area.
Do you have any kids? Any pets? 2 kids…Daughter (Kaylee) and Son (Eric) 1 Dog (Bruno) 1 Cat (Shadow).
Which is better: board games or video games? Board games.
Fun Facts “Throwback”
Vara Anantharaman (un-un-the-raw-mun), Software Engineer Lead – MyUPMC
How did you get into the industry? It started in high school, with our first visit to the school’s new computer (singular) room, where we were told to stand back and just watch. And it fed my two favorite subjects, Math and Logic. My interest in health care started after I joined here, and I’m afraid that might be a permanent affliction.
How long have you been working at UPMCE? I rolled in with the NGI move from Radiology about 4 years back, where I started a couple of years before that.
What’s changed the most since you started here? Where people sit (ha).
Thinking about your work, what is the funniest thing you used to use tech-wise that you don’t use anymore? Those 5” floppy disks and “Turbo” PC.
As technology has evolved throughout the years, what stands out to you the most? In grad school, I focused on computer vision but that didn’t go far, but AI is what everyone is doing now. Also, my first job was in wireless billing, and we carried a briefcase size “mobile” phone when on-call.
What’s your favorite part about working here? There is always room and opportunity to learn, and so many to learn from, technical and otherwise. I also like how that as an organization we strive to improve the work culture.
Do you have an unusual talent or hobby? Too many hobbies and therefore diluted. I can dance all day (at least I used to be able to) Bollywood, Indian classical, and Zumba before it became mainstream, and also choreograph different styles. Also, I love to read, and have a bit of interest in etymology. Would love to write someday too. I teach Yoga on and off. I like math, logic, and word games – and bad jokes.
Share any fun fact! It took my husband and me a couple of weeks to decide to get married (yeah, unusual for someone from India where arranged marriages take place sometimes sight unseen, and unusual in the rest of the world where people take forever to decide on the one), and our wedding (by big fat Indian wedding standards) cost us less than $1,000. We’ve been together for 25 years. Some of my best decisions have been spur of the moment. I like to think it is because I am naturally quick-thinking and intuitive.
