Over that past year, Willamette Technical has relocated from Keizer to their current location in downtown Salem and grown to meet the needs of their growing clientele.   Brian has also initiated a giving back to the community policy with his employees, providing them a set amount of time each month to donate to area non-profits in need of information technology services.  It is apparent in talking with Brian that first and foremost it is about the relationship with the customer, and his commitment to customer service is serving him well as they celebrate their first year; a year of growth in a tough economy.

For more information contact:  Karin Holton, crescendomarketing@comcast.net  (503) 559-3060 

Meet Chris Hogensen, the Newest Member of the Willamette Technical Team

How long have you been working in IT?
On and off for 10 years, I started in Highschool.

What is your background and training?
When I started there really weren’t many available classes to take in this field.  I have completed some Microsoft Trainings back in the 2000 era.  Mostly self-taught, but I like to pick up and adopt (or refine) good practices from others in the industry.

What is your specialty?
PC Networks, Email Systems, and Microsoft Operating Systems/Servers.

Why did you decide to join the team at Willamette Technical?
After meeting Brian and his team I felt I would work well with them.

What is your customer service philosophy?
As with many things in life, the moment we think we’ve got it figured out, we stop growing.  Ironically (given my previous statement), I was recently asked what ’service’ meant to me, and I believe I put it eloquently my response:

“Service” has a few meanings to me.  One, being personal/customer service, and the other is technical service, both being related.  Good technical service is a product of experience, creativity, and customer service:

Experience is obtained by doing, and can be taught.

Creativity as I would describe it is more intuitive, the ability to put things together to create a solid, workable solution given a limited set of tools or resources.  Creativity is not necessarily something that can be taught.

I would describe customer service the same way for both definitions.  During my training with a customer service based company, one aspect of our training was to keep asking ourselves ”What is excellent customer service?”  I feel this question itself is part of providing great service, and that there is no single answer for all situations.  Listening to the needs and wants of a client, considering their requirements and concerns (financial, time, etc), and clearly communicating with the client in a manner that they will understand and appreciate are a good foundation for customer service.  Constantly inquiring “Did I provide excellent/good customer service?”, not necessarily to the customer themselves (This may quickly become rhetorical), but introspectively, will produce a consistently high level of service.  The ability to communicate, and listen will help with both interpersonal relationship with clients, as well as help to find the best technical solutions and service.
Where did you go to school?
Sprague High School and Chemeketa Community College

Where would people remember you from?
Born and raised in Salem, I may have been spotted a few times around town.

What is your role at Willamette Technical?
I will be an IT Consultant.

What do you like to do in your freetime?

I enjoy playing computer games and playing with my daughter, who is almost three.  I also enjoy skiing, but don’t have much time to do that anymore.<–>