We’re thrilled to announce the promotion of Bill Edmondson to VP, Solutions Engineering. Bill's hard work and dedication to the Provisions Group family and our clients have been truly exceptional. We sat down with Bill to explore his new role and learn about his thoughts on the future of Provisions Group.
Tell us about your first day at Provisions Group. Looking back, how did those early days lead you to where you are today?
I joined the Provisions Group in the middle of the pandemic. I was doing independent consulting but had concerns over my ability to build business given how few people wanted to do simple things like meet for lunch. PG seemed like the perfect place for me. Lots of breadth, loyal customers, and, better than everything else, a dedicated sales team.
Since we were in the middle of the pandemic, the office was mostly empty, but so much activity was happening beneath the surface. There was a constant need for my attention in random unexpected areas. My title was Director of Solutions Architecture, but I was more “Lead Problem Solver” than “Architect.” I had the opportunity to jump in and fix things when cracks appeared, which was just fine. I love variety and solving hard problems, and there were plenty of both to keep me occupied.
I could ramp up a dozen technologies I had never seen before and simultaneously build customer relationships while serving them well in moments when nobody else could. This really describes who we are as a firm. We are a company that meets our partners where they are and helps them solve their problems.
It takes a village. Who is in yours? Who has been instrumental in your success here at PG?
There are so many really, really smart people here. Not just smart but helpful and caring, and conscientious. It is one thing to be smart and a whole other thing to be smart while taking ownership of the outcome.
There is not one “group” that has been instrumental. I reach out and ask for help in any area, and somebody will jump in without regard to their own schedule and provide an answer or direction on how to find the answer.
Executive leadership supports the team and genuinely cares for the well-being of individuals, my peers participate in problem-solving without ego, and the team, in general, makes their own agenda secondary to serving the client.
What does community mean to you?
Community is accountability, team problem-solving, support during difficult times, and celebration when things go well. You will nearly always succeed more as a group than as an individual, and there is no such thing as a self-made person. No matter how smart we are or how independent our personalities are, we need our community to support us, encourage us, hold us accountable, and help us work through problems.
Who are you outside of work? What makes you "you"?
I am a dad and a husband. I take great joy in trips and activities with my three beautiful daughters and my wife of 20+ years. Whether it is a quick night away at a cabin, watching a movie together, or baking cookies, I love spending time with them. My favorite moment of the week is Friday. After a long week at the office, we religiously practice pizza and movie night. There is nothing I enjoy more.
Beyond that, I am actively involved at my church and spend lots of time mentoring the youth there. I love fitness and work out almost daily. When I have time to myself, my favorite thing is to take a backpack into the Smokey Mountains for a few days of solitude.
Oh, and zombies. Anything to do with zombies. Video games, movies, books, tv shows, all of it. When the zombie apocalypse comes (and it will), I will be ready.
Rapid fire: What's your favorite travel destination? Favorite movie? Favorite childhood memory?
Travel: Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Movie: Trueman Show. I have watched it easily a dozen times.
Memory: My first epic backing packing trip with the “men of the family” (My dad, brother, cousin, and uncle). We were under-prepared and overly ambitious. It was one of my most physically taxing activities and, at the same time, one of my best memories.
What does the future look like for you in your new role?
Provisions Group has really found its stride. We have excellent people, strong delivery, and loyal customers. We have reached an exciting inflection point where we need to reinvent ourselves to take advantage of our success. I get to help set the direction in this new period of growth.
Give our readers a piece of advice.
Technology is easy; communication is hard. The hardest thing about what we do is staying aligned with our team and stakeholders. Listen before talking, exercise curiosity over concern, and be humble with your opinions.
Beyond this, take ownership of the things within your scope of impact. Too many people wait for directions from others. If you see a problem, do not just point it out, anybody can spot problems, offer pragmatic solutions, and, whenever possible, see it through to completion.