Hello Friends, Family, Framily, and the occasional #nemesis!
I am writing this post from a hotel in Sunny (sunny?) Bellevue, Washington – just outside Seattle.
In October 2010, I became a full-time employee of Mirazon. My Mirazon. For the last 7 years, I was able – I think – to add value, and drive forward the Mirazon message and make customers happy. I’ve done some good work. I’ve made some mistakes. I’ve eaten some yummy candy. I’ve led some good projects. I’ve made some good friends. I’ve made more than one of my customers, team-members, and partners want to punch me. Hopefully fewer and fewer each passing year.
A couple weeks ago, I resigned my position with Mirazon. My last day was last Wednesday 11/8. I have enjoyed blissful unemployment for the last few days 🙂
I have written before that the Bible teaches in Ecclesiastes 3:1 – http://bible.com/eccl3.1.NLT – that "For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." I've believed that for years, and I've gone through many seasons – of childhood, of growth, and depression and rehab, and employment, and college, and grad school, and dating, and marriage, and parenthood, and full-time ministry.
Today A New Adventure begins!
Today I started a new role with Audiocodes. I began by flying off to Seattle for a few days :)
For my friends that aren't familiar – here is a short blurb on who Audiocodes is: "AudioCodes is a leading vendor of advanced voice networking and media processing solutions for the digital workplace. AudioCodes enables enterprises and service providers to build and operate all-IP voice networks for unified communications, contact centers, and hosted business services. AudioCodes offers a broad range of innovative products, solutions and services that are used by large multi-national enterprises and leading tier-1 operators around the world"
I have been involved with Audiocodes for several years – as a customer, and a partner, and a general Raving Fan of the organization. A couple years ago, I was invited to the HQ in Israel to spend a few days in business and at play. Some of you may recall all of my social media posts and pictures from that trip. I have attended a couple similar North American Partner forums. Last year I was invited to join the Audiocodes A-Team – a technical mastermind of Partners that are heavily invested in the company.
As a Voice Solution Architect – my full-time gig in the North American Marketing & Business Development Team – I will be responsible for AudioCodes technical evangelization across both partners and end customers. I do have quite a bit of experience in the full-Audiocodes-portfolio; however, in this role I will be mostly focused on the IP Phone and Room System product line – working closely with HQ and helping opportunities move from interest to successful evaluation to implementation.
I am not leaving Louisville. I will still be around for all of those punches you wish you throw (please be gentle – I have gout you know) and I’ll see you around town I’m sure. If you come by Drakes at lunch – the chances are high you can find me there. For many of you reading this, I see you at various local community / Church events. For others, I see you at conferences and gatherings throughout the year. I hope to see y'all again soon!
As some of you may (or may not) recall, my relationship with Mirazon began several years before I joined staff. It remains even as I transition. This is still my Mirazon. My role is just shifting again to be more of a business-partner instead of a full-time employee and bourbon drinker. I'm hopeful in my new role at Audiocodes I can still invest in Mirazon from the OTHER side of the table (or least from the keyboard via Microsoft Skype / Teams!)
I am proud to finish strong at Mirazon and I am excited to start strong at Audiocodes!
If there is anything I can ever do for any of you – please ask. I’m easy to find.