By Carol Pipes
NASHVILLE — Jeff Anderson, a support engineer for Lifeway Christian Resources, was honored as the Desktop Support Technician of the Year at the 2017 HDI Conference in Washington, D.C.
“It’s amazing to be recognized by HDI and my peers of technical support professionals,” Anderson said. “I’m honored to know there are many IT support professionals who do what I do—providing excellent customer service in the field of IT support—and to stand out and be recognized is a feeling of great accomplishment.”
HDI is a professional association for the technical support industry. Each year HDI recognizes individuals, teams and organizations that demonstrate the highest standards of quality and customer satisfaction. The Desktop Support Technician of the Year award is given to the top technician from about 2,700 companies. Anderson was selected from five finalists, representing five HDI chapter regions.
Steve Antes, president of HDI Music City, said he was proud to have Anderson representing Nashville.
“The HDI Desktop Support Technician of the Year competition provides an opportunity to recognize great talent and potential,” Antes said. “Once again, that talent hails from Lifeway Christian Resources right here in Nashville.”
Last year Donnie Gordon, also of Lifeway, was nominated for the same award. This year he nominated Anderson, who went on to win at the national level.
To be considered for the award, help desk technicians must first be nominated by their direct supervisor. Their application and essay questions are judged on the values of customer service, team commitment, knowledge sharing and leadership, as well as technical aptitude and knowledge. If nominees advance through the local chapter and regional levels of competition, they compete at the national level in a panel interview format.
“Jeff competed against his peers across Middle Tennessee to win the chance to compete at the Southeast regional, then national levels,” Antes said. “At every opportunity, he impressed the judges with his customer-first attitude and technical skill, as well as demonstrating leadership potential.”
During his panel interview, Anderson was asked to reflect on what he likes most about his job. “I enjoy fixing things,” he said, “but more than anything, I love helping people.”
Tim Hill, Lifeway vice president and CIO, said he was excited Anderson was awarded the HDI Desktop Support Technician for 2017. “Jeff is a humble person who quietly performs his work and delivers superior technical support for his customers,” Hill said. “This is much deserved recognition for someone who never seeks the limelight.”
Anderson joined the Lifeway IT team in February 2015. He said he loves his job and tries to remember the Golden Rule—“to treat others how I’d like to be treated”—as he goes about his work.
“When someone has a support need,” he said, “I like to resolve it for them the same way I’d expect to have the issue resolved if I were in their position.”
Anderson added: “Knowing I can do my part to fulfill Lifeway’s mission—providing biblical solutions for life—helps to drive my motivation for exceeding my customers’ expectations.”
The HDI Music City Chapter connects contact center and technical support professionals working in Nashville and the surrounding area. For more information, visit HDIMusicCity.com.
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Carol Pipes is director of communications for Lifeway Christian Resources. Nate Brown, vice president of communications for HDI Music City, contributed to this article.
