This week’s blog focuses on someone you may not have met directly, but who has a major impact on the solutions our customers (and their customers) rely on to power better communication experiences. Meet Ashley Byrd, our director of product management and development!
How long have you been in product management?
I’ve been with Commio (formerly branded thinQ) for three years. I’ve been in leadership and management for about ten years, and prior to that I worked in technical roles.
What do you do at Commio?
I wear many hats, but the short summary is: I work with our executive leadership team on product strategy and planning. Then I work with our development team on the execution of that product strategy by turning the strategy into actual work that can be broken all the way down into two-week releases of new functionality into our product.
What do you think sets your team apart from similar jobs at other companies?
In regard to me personally, I have always had a high work ethic. I take pride in the quality of my work, which drives me to do the best job I can every day. In regard to our development team, everyone is highly collaborative and works very well together, providing intelligent input through open communication which allows us to deliver quality products.
What excites you about going to work in the morning?
Providing value to our customers and our company and also working with a great team. I love having smart conversations and brainstorming sessions that produce really great ideas and solutions.
If you could do some other job, what would it be and why?
I would be a musician—either a singer in a band or playing the keys. I have always loved music and singing; I started piano lessons when I was seven and entered piano competitions as a child. I still enjoy all types of music, but I can’t really handle heavy metal. 🙂 My favorite singer is Martina McBride and then probably Carrie Underwood.
What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received at work?
All of the comments from my team after a major thinq.io release: You’ve done an awesome job leading us to this point and we are all super appreciative of everything you do! Thank you for your awesome direction! We couldn’t have done it without you!
Who has influenced you in your approach to work?
I have someone I look up to as a mentor—his name is Sy. He hired me for my first job, at a small startup company. He always led by example and encouraged me to speak up and ask questions, think through problems and present solutions, and helped inspire me to take on leadership roles. He influenced the way I work today.
What season do you like best? Worst?
I absolutely love the fall. My birthday is right at the end of summer and then the fall season starts. I love the cooler weather, the leaves changing, fall events, campfires, trips to the mountains to see the fall foliage, all of it! If I had to pick a worst, it would be winter. But, only North Carolina winters. I love snow and we mostly just get a cold, rainy, and/or icy winter here.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done, and would you do it again?
The scariest thing I’ve ever done was go skydiving. I would definitely do it again. It was actually one of the first times I ever spent time with my now husband. We were both invited on a trip to go skydiving on the coast of North Carolina with some coworkers, and we ended up driving down in the same caravan group. We both went skydiving for the first time that day and had a blast!
