Project Manager Profile: Tessa Lembke

How long have you been with WingateWeb?
1 year

As a Project Manager, what do you do?
I manage day-to-day operational aspects of various projects. Management of clients’ needs is facilitated by utilizing an online ticketing system, consulting with developers and analysts, and operating the WingateWeb software. A project manager creates and executes project work plans through the entire event cycle and should revise as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements of our clients. The project manager should review deliverables prepared by the client and effectively employ best web practices and methodologies before passing on to the development team. Testing and documentation are other important aspects of the project management role which is necessary before providing a review for the client.

What prior experience did you have before joining WingateWeb?
My most relevant experience is from project management in the event industry from a previous job at a media and marketing company. Having an understanding of how events function has given me one of the biggest advantages in working at WingateWeb. The key tasks that have contributed to my success at WingateWeb are budget management, timeline management, and client management. I was also a web developer and C++ developer in previous jobs. Having technical understanding has facilitated communication with the development team. Additionally, I have been responsible for creating test methods which ensures that the end product meets the clients’ criteria while maintaining the integrity of well developed software.

What sort of experience is most useful in your position?
Budget management, timeline management, client management. Our business survives by delivering on timelines and staying within budget. It is critical that we communicate the timelines to clients and set expectations based on their budget. We should also be able to shift priorities in the timeline and adapt to the changing requirements. Technical experience, such as programming and web development, are very valuable skills because we are a software company—anything that helps you to understand the product will help you communicate expectations to client as well as make requests from development. Project managers do a little bit of everything.

What is your educational background?
Bachelor’s of Science in Information Studies from Florida State University. I also took additional courses in Java and C++ at the University of North Florida.

What is most rewarding about your job?
When an event is over and it has gone well, and you successfully managed 5,000 attendees, 300 speakers, 150 exhibitors, and made your client happy…there is nothing more rewarding.

What is your team like?
Reliable and sharp. When I have a complex request from a client, we get together and brainstorm. My business analyst will review requests/implementations, and will most likely be able to suggest something to improve the product or how to do something more efficiently. Other project managers are able to provide suggestions on how they managed a similar situation I am experiencing. My account manager is accessible for everything. He can step in as any role to offer help or advice. Before we go to an event, we sit down and go through a checklist of items to ensure that we are prepared.

What is traveling for WingateWeb like?
Traveling is one of my favorite aspects of the job. I travel for two reasons: 1) to meet with the client pre or post program; 2) to work at an event. When I am meeting clients as a kickoff or post-review of the program, it is very relaxed and will last for just the day. So, essentially it is like doing work on the road for one business day. Traveling for the event will range from 4-8 days. Some events require more preparation, so I will arrive two days before the event begins. Depending on the client, the locations of the events vary. I have traveled to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Ottawa (Canada), Nashville, and Miami thus far.

What do you like about living/working in Utah?
Utah has the freshest air I have ever breathed. I appreciate being able to go hiking and fishing within minutes of leaving my house. I like being able to afford a house! The summer season seems to change to winter just as I am longing for the snow and vice versa. Getting to and from work is a breeze. It takes me under 10 minutes no matter what time of day. The word “traffic” doesn’t seem to exist in Utah.

What are your hobbies?
Soccer, any kind of fishing, playing the pedal steel guitar, writing music, hiking, riding motorcycles with my husband.

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Living in Utah