If we’ve learned anything from our 20+ years in the print industry, it’s that this is a people business. Our Employee Spotlight series highlights the amazing people behind PageDNA. We’re excited to showcase our employees and give you a behind-the-scenes look into what it’s like to work at PageDNA.
About Andrew
We are thrilled to introduce our 2024 Employee of the Year, Andrew Barlow! Andrew started at PageDNA in 2022 as a contractor consultant, but we loved him so much that we offered him a full-time position in 2023. He’s been our Principal Systems Administrator ever since!
Before joining PageDNA, Andrew spent over 20 years working for an aerospace and defense contractor. He has an extensive background in systems administration, covering all aspects such as networking, security, infrastructure as code (IaC), automation, on-premise and cloud technologies, and more. He also holds a master’s degree in mathematics, which gives him strong analytical skills that complement his expertise in IT and allows him to approach problem-solving with a unique and structured perspective.
Andrew’s PageDNA
What has your experience been with the PageDNA company culture?
It’s been overwhelmingly positive. PageDNA fosters a collaborative and supportive environment where innovation and continuous improvement are highly valued. A strong emphasis on teamwork, open communication, and professional growth makes it a great place to develop skills and contribute meaningfully.
If you could describe your team with one word, what would it be?
It’s hard to choose just one. But a few that I think define the team well are collaborative, supportive, innovative, and family.
What changes have you seen at PageDNA in your time, and what have those changes resulted in for you, your team, and PageDNA’s customers and partners?
During my time at PageDNA, I’ve witnessed significant advancements, particularly in our technology infrastructure. One of the most impactful changes has been migrating from on-premise data centers to the cloud, specifically AWS. This transition has greatly improved scalability, reliability, and overall system performance, benefiting both our internal teams and customers.
Our customers and partners are seeing faster, more reliable services, reduced downtime, and the ability to scale solutions more effectively to meet their evolving needs. As we continue modernizing our infrastructure, we are further strengthening PageDNA’s ability to deliver high-quality, cutting-edge solutions that drive success for all stakeholders.
Now that we’re in the cloud and are more efficient, modern, and secure, there are so many things that we can do to continue improving the environment for our customers, partners, and staff.
What does the day-to-day of your role look like?
Much of my role involves solving problems, which I am passionate about—most days, it doesn’t even feel like work! Alongside problem-solving, innovation and infrastructure modernization are two other big components of my day-to-day role.
A typical day includes monitoring and maintaining our cloud-based infrastructure on AWS. I troubleshoot and resolve technical challenges related to networking, system performance, or application deployments. I also contribute to the ongoing modernization of our infrastructure, optimizing existing systems and implementing new cloud-native solutions to enhance efficiency and scalability.
Additionally, I collaborate closely with teammates to evaluate and implement best practices for infrastructure and security operations. Whether fine-tuning system monitoring, strengthening security measures, or working on long-term architectural improvements, every day presents opportunities to innovate and make a lasting impact on PageDNA’s technical landscape.
Which PageDNA employee benefit is your favorite and why?
The 401k is great! I’m really big into finance. If I didn’t work in software, I would probably work in wealth management.
Out of the Office
What is your favorite place you’ve traveled to?
My favorite place I’ve traveled to is England, where I had the opportunity to work and live for a temporary assignment. It was an incredible experience, both professionally and personally. Immersing myself in a different work culture, adapting to new challenges, and collaborating with colleagues from diverse backgrounds helped me grow in ways I hadn’t expected. Outside of work, I loved exploring the rich history, architecture, and local traditions. The experience broadened my perspective and reinforced the value of adaptability and learning from new environments.
What was your dream job as a kid?
I wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice. I always loved political science.
What’s a skill you have that might surprise people?
A skill that might surprise people is that I research cryptology in my spare time. I find encryption, secure communication protocols, and the history of cryptographic methods fascinating.
Fast Favorites
TV show? The Tudors
Movie? Somewhere In Time
Book? Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales: The Knight’s Tale
Band? Metallica
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