Get to Know Project Manager Kevin Studer
Start off by telling everyone about yourself:
I am a lifelong Iowan. I grew up in north central Iowa and attended Wartburg College in northeast Iowa, with internships in Minneapolis and Denver. I loved both cities and nearly went back to Colorado following college, but decided to settle closer to home in Des Moines. I’ve been here ever since.
What is your professional background?
I have diverse experience in communications and project management. The early part of my career was in the financial services industry. I worked for two different companies in the Des Moines area creating marketing materials used to educate agents and consumers about life, health and annuity products. In my next role, I greatly expanded my marketing skill set as a Sr. Manager with a tech-focused job board. I managed a team responsible for marketing campaigns, content marketing, sales enablement, product marketing, and market research.
At Visionary, I can leverage my marketing and project management skills to help our clients improve their data reporting systems and well as the lead generation capability of their websites.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I bleed black and gold of the Iowa Hawkeyes. On Saturday’s in the fall, you’ll find me tailgating in Iowa City. My wife bought me season football tickets as a birthday present while we were dating and we’ve had them ever since. She knew the key to my heart. Most of my free time is spent being a Dad. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. On most weekends you’ll find me on a volleyball court, softball diamond or tennis court watching one of my two daughters.
What have you enjoyed about Visionary so far?
When I was looking for my next career opportunity, the company culture was of utmost importance to me. The leadership team at Visionary spoke passionately about the collaborative, team-based environment here, as well as the mission to deliver the highest quality reporting and web development services to clients. I haven’t been here a month yet, but it’s easy to see they weren’t pitching me a line. It’s full of smart, friendly, fun people who are committed to their work.
Where is your favorite place to eat in Des Moines?
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse. Nothing beats a well-prepared filet mignon and chocolate lava cake for dessert. But I also enjoy going old school at the High Life Lounge with a cold beer and down-home appetizers like bacon-wrapped little smokies glazed with brown sugar and cayenne.
What is your favorite season and why?
It’s really hard to pick between summer and fall. Summer vacations and relaxing at the pool or the lake are hard to beat. But harvest (from growing up on a farm), seasonal colors and football are just as special.
Best book or blog you've read lately?
The Road Back to You. It’s about the nine different Enneagram personality types we naturally gravitate to. This ancient but pretty uncanny system describes how human beings are wired, both positively and negatively. It freaked me out how it accurately defined people in my life. By the way, I am 6w7 known as “The Buddy.”
What is one thing you could not live a day without?
I am embarrassingly addicted to my phone and Mountain Dew. You could say I have a problem.
What are your words to live by?
Is it OK that I have two? 1) “Smile more. It makes people wonder what you’re up to.” And 2) “You only wallow once in the sty of life, so go whole hog and pig out while you can.”
What are you loving at the moment?
I recently got Apple music and loving it. I’ve spent several nights this spring around a firepit with family and friends, enjoying a cold beverage and browsing their extensive music catalog, whether it’s classics from Led Zeppelin and The Stones or more current music from Greta Van Fleet and Jack White.
