Meet the Team: Gary Payne, Project Coordinator, BuildTools

We're featuring Gary Payne, project coordinator for BuildTools at ECI Software Solutions. We sat down with Gary to learn more about his role within the team.

Describe your role in 50 words or less.

As BuildTools project coordinator, I work with new customers implementing the software, helping them learn how to use the features. I work closely with our BuildTools implementation team to ensure that these new customers succeed with their implementation and keep moving forward to graduation/adoption.

What and where did you study?

I studied at one of the local colleges in Fort Worth, Texas, and majored in computer science and business. I am also a certified training instructor and project management certification.

Tell us a bit about your background and the path that led you to your current role.

My background is in training and as a documentation specialist. I worked in the hospitality industry for many years as the primary/lead reseller software trainer for Aloha Point-of-Sale systems. I also have quite a lot of experience in arts administration. I started with ECI as a customer experience specialist in June 2018 and then moved into my current position, as BuildTools project coordinator in May 2021.

What does your day-to-day work life look like?

It’s fast and a bit crazy at times – lots of phone/email communications and LOTS of meetings. I spend most of my days in meetings and then with follow-ups from those meetings, scheduling subsequent meetings, creating brief training videos when customers have questions, etc. My primary objective is to keep BuildTools implementations moving forward by taking care of our customers and proving the value of the system.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in your industry? Any words of wisdom?

Flexibility and adaptability are key – change is constant. Be ready and willing to adapt to our ever-changing environment and marketplace.

What excites you most about working within this industry?

I like helping people and showing them how BuildTools can help them become more efficient and productive with their businesses.

What do you find most challenging about working within this industry?

The ever-changing environment and marketplace.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned since you began your career?

I would say that the most important lesson I have learned is the art of compromise. ‘No’ isn’t usually the final or only answer – look for options and ways to accomplish the same thing outside of the typical or usual methods. I have also learned how to attract great mentors!

Since you started working in the industry, what changes have you witnessed?

Successful builders are able to adapt easily to changes in the marketplace, such as going from building more spec homes to building more custom homes. During the COVID global pandemic, many custom homebuilders focused more on remodeling, for instance, to keep afloat when prospective customers were reluctant to build new and were instead renovating what they already had. This industry, like many others, is cyclical.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not at work?

I love animals and have two cats, Junior and Rosie - they are good company. I am also an actor and do a lot of plays and musicals. I have also been in a few commercials, movies, industrial films, and music videos. It’s a lot of work and also a LOT of fun – AND it keeps me off the streets!

What book would you recommend for anyone to add to their ‘must-read list?

"To Kill a Mockingbird" is a classic – sadly, it is still quite relevant and timely.