Get to know seven new co-workers through their answers to fun and goofy questions.
Tyler Crawford, Senior Associate – Transaction Services
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? I grew up in Johnstown, PA and have only been living in Pittsburgh since August 2018.
What’s in your perfect meal? A good burger and wings.
Which is better: board games or video games? Video Games.
Free space: Share any fun fact! Although I’m terrible, I really enjoy golfing when I have the chance!
Randall Dye, Associate Product Manager – Digital Enterprises
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? I grew up on a farm in Amity, PA (close to Washington, PA). We raised beef cows and I showed them at the Washington County Fair. After college, I moved to NJ for 6 years before coming back to Pittsburgh to get my MBA at CMU. I came here as a Summer Associate and then I am back again as a full-time Product Manager.
Do you have any kids? Any pets? I have two dogs: Lucky and Rufus! Lucky is a 7-year-old Lab/Dachshund mix and Rufus is a 3-year-old Lab/Terrier mix. They both have different colored eyes. They love to play with each other! Hopefully, you will get a chance to meet one of them during the Doggie Days!
Which is better: board games or video games? Video Games are better due to the fact that I can play with my college buddies across the US almost every night. We use video games to stay in touch with one another.
Eric Bruening, Business Analyst – Finance
Do you have any kids? Any pets? I have a black lab mix named Petey.
What’s your least favorite word? Moist.
If any musician or band could give you a personal concert, who would it be? Frank Sinatra.
Kristen Perko, Product Manager – MyUPMC
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? I grew up in West Virginia and still love to visit! It’s a beautiful state for hiking/camping and other outdoor adventures.
Where in the universe would you like to visit someday? New Zealand is at the top of my list…but I haven’t yet summoned the courage to spend that much time on an airplane.
What’s in your perfect meal? Pasta, cheese, ice cream. Or really, anything, as long as I don’t have to cook it.
Chaitali (Chats) Raikar, Product Analyst – Jupiter
Are you a Pittsburgh local or did you grow up elsewhere? I grew up in Mumbai (India) and moved to Pittsburgh back in 2013.
Do you have any kids? Any pets? No Kids and No pets.
What’s your favorite quote from a movie or TV series? ‘If you’re good at something, never do it for free’.
What’s your least favorite word? GYM.
What’s in your perfect meal? Unlimited chicken wings.
Which is better: board games or video games? BOARD games and CARD games.
Luann Nicolai, Senior Sales Director – Vincent Payment Solutions
Do you have any kids? Any pets? I have a daughter Gianna. She is 15 and will be a sophomore and honor student at Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg, which is my Alma Mater. She plays Ice Hockey for the Pittsburgh Vipers Girls 19U and had the opportunity to play at Notre Dame and with the Pitt Girls Hockey team this past year. She also plays High School Field Hockey and will be performing this summer at Disney World. Being her Mom a true blessing every day.
What’s your favorite quote from a movie or TV series? Well…it is quite the throwback to 1989 Dead Poets Society with Robin Williams as he portrays an English teacher at an all-boys preparatory school: “Carpe, carpe, carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” All these years later, Carpe Diem has become a life mantra with very significant meaning for me.
What’s your least favorite word? Hate, as a verb or a noun the definition and meaning are still a negative one.
What’s in your perfect meal? Every year I host “The Feast of the Seven Fishes”, which is the Italian-American Christmas Eve celebration, for my family. My Grandmother showed me at a very young age how to prepare each dish and the love that she put into everything for her family. Our celebration has grown with more family and now friends that look forward to the traditional food, and all that love put into this perfect meal and tradition.
Free space: Share any fun fact! In celebration of my daughter and her playoff hockey goal, I became “The Proud Hockey Mom” on a national video tv show. As a result (and with a little bit of head shaking from my teenage daughter) the video and/or parts of it just may show up on NHL network, ESPN and maybe even Ellen.
Betsy Thompson, Operations Coordinator – Infectious Disease Connect, Inc.
Do you have an unusual talent or hobby? I was on TV’s Bloopers & Practical Jokes! ? and I was the recipient of the Iowa Film Award for my series “Faces of AIDS,” which makes working in infectious disease years later feel like a full circle moment.
What’s in your perfect meal? Have been a vegetarian most of my life so fruits and veggies (now just plant-based with some proteins), but still don’t eat red meat! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it’s like a big family reunion every year and that is something I’m truly thankful for….always.
Free space: Share any fun fact! I am an identical twin, more specifically, a ‘mirror twin’.
