Employee Spotlight: Gary Harper
Written by a la mode on May 16, 2018
If you've ever run into a workflow hiccup or an off-the-wall software question while filling out a report, you've probably heard this phrase: "Thank you for calling a la mode tech support." Our phone support is legendary, and no matter who answers your call, you know you'll be on the right track in minutes. With that said, if you're lucky enough to get Gary Harper on the line, then you know he has a signature style.
Gary is to an appraiser what a solid, dependable pit crew is to a NASCAR driver — lightning quick, straight to the point, and will have you back at work in no time. Gary has a deep familiarity with our customers and our products, combined with enough common sense to weather even the weirdest technical dilemma. He sets the bar high for our tech team!
How would you describe your job at a la mode?
Gary: I make sure TOTAL runs properly for all of our customers. Sometimes I answer simple how-to questions, and sometimes I resolve computer problems. Every call is different.
What’s your favorite aspect of the job?
Gary: It's great to be able to recover a lost report or fix a customer's issue so they can get back to work. Also, I've enjoyed just getting to know our customer base over the years.
If a la mode were a TV show, which character – from any sitcom, drama, or reality show – who would you represent and why?
Gary: Lowell Mather from Wings. I may not know what's going on with an issue right away, but I will get to the bottom of it eventually.
Who do you admire most and why?
Gary: My father. He showed me that you can do anything you want if you work for it, and gave me my work ethic. I believe in being at work on time and staying until the job is finished, no matter what job I'm doing.
If you had to eat one meal, every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Gary: Hamburgers. I can cook some of the best hamburgers. When I cook, I make enough for everyone in my family. I give some to my mother, my sister, and everyone else, and we eat on it for a week.
What is your key piece of advice for appraisers that use a la mode?
Gary: If you're having issues with TOTAL — or any of our products — and you can't seem to get past the problem, don't spend tons of time on it trying to figure it out yourself.
Save yourself some time and aggravation and call tech support. Let us resolve it for you so you can get back to your appraising.
What's kept you working for a la mode?
Gary: The people here at work that I get to see every day, and the customers I get to talk to on the phone.
We depend on each other to get through every day, whether our role involves directly helping appraisers over the phone or working behind the scenes to make things happen. We know you depend on us, too, which is why we get to come to work with a purpose. Thank you for that, and thanks for being part of a la mode.