Meet Our Solution Architects
Venture Solutions currently employs 4 Solution Architects, managing a total of 101 projects of varying complexity and reporting to Melanie Glawe, Director of Technical Solutions. Kenyon Mitchell, Matt Dakin, John Teegarden, and Dan Bober have 46 years of combined experience at Venture Solutions and other Taylor affiliates.
Kenyon and Matt began in the industry as temps and worked in many different departments from operations to management. This trajectory allowed them to develop a high level of technical competency that is instrumental in their current role.
What is a Solution Architect?
A Solution Architect acts as the coordinator of activities from the pre-sales cycle through the first live production run. Solution Architects are involved from the beginning to the end of every implementation and work with Senior Leaders, Sales, Legal, Finance, Estimating, E-Services, Project Management, Postal, Operations, and Client Services.
Kenyon Mitchell describes it, “Like the conductor of an orchestra. We don't play any of the instruments, but we know and understand them all and get them to harmonize with each other.”
Role & Responsibilities
This unique role requires out-of-the-box thinking to create new solutions and leverage existing solutions to meet customer needs. Matt shared, “This role is so much more than just documentation. Even though it seems like we're doing pricing documents, SOWs, and PRDs, there's a whole lot more we do.” Kenyon added, “It’s a highly technical job that requires good people skills to manage the complexity of different operational environments, teams, and tools.”
Rewards & Challenges
It’s both a rewarding and challenging position, with projects varying in scope and length from weeks to years. One of the most rewarding aspects is the continual learning process. Solution Architects are actively engaged with so many people, products, and services that there is always something new to explore. It keeps things fresh, interesting, and fun.
The biggest challenges are limited resources, time management, working through pressure, and meeting expectations. “There are always unexpected twists both internal and external, to overcome and get the job done,” said Matt.
A Vital Role
Solution Architects are a vital part of Venture Solutions’ growth strategy and workflow. Their experience, data-driven decision-making, adaptability, and creativity are essential to the implementation process. Their focus on digital transformation and industry trends helps Venture Solutions remain competitive.
For more information regarding the Solution Architect role, contact Melanie Glawe.
