Team Spotlight with Stew Drake
Get to know the people behind the insights in our Team Spotlight series. We sit down with employees throughout the firm to learn about their experiences, background, and what makes them tick. In this edition, we chat with Stew Drake, I.T. Network Administrator, who is located in Rochester, NY, and earned his degree from SUNY Fredonia in Computer Science. Discover what brings Stew great joy, his superpower of choice, and more in this Q&A.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the KS&R team?
How welcoming everyone is and willing to do what it takes to keep everything going.
What brings you great joy in your life?
I enjoy taking walks with my wife and puppy and discussing our day as we go. Also, tacos.
What advice would you give to yourself at age 15?
Just chill out and don’t sweat it. It’ll all work out eventually.
In your opinion, what does the world need more of?
Flexibility and compassion.
What are you most grateful for in this moment?
My family both near and far and our continued good health.
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?
Not having to breathe. I would spend most of my time swimming, potentially reducing my exposure to free radicals and slowing the aging process.
If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be and why?
A really well-executed vanilla. It’s underrated honestly and the mix-ins usually clutter it up.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
D&D (Dungeons & Dragons) sleepovers where we get way too much pizza and nerd out with D&D and other tabletop games.
Aside from necessities, what is one thing you could not go a day without?
I feel like coffee is the obligatory answer, especially working in I.T., but does that make it a necessity?
If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what song would you choose and why?
L’Via L’Viaquez by The Mars Volta because it starts out quiet then gets weird…kind of like me.
What is the best/worst purchase you’ve ever made?
I believe that my Prusa 3D printer is the best purchase because of my nerdy pursuits, creating practical replacement parts for fixing things, and making new useful items such as bag clips.
Would you rather live on the beach or in a cabin in the woods?
Cabin in the woods! There are numerous activity options to choose from or just the option to relax by the campfire. Also, there is less risk of sunburn.
