Employee Spotlight: Garret Olds

Meet Garret - A devoted family man, trivia buff, and the Perenso team's tech support guru!

Hometown: Parramatta, NSW, Australia

What is your role at Perenso and what does it entail: Systems and platform engineer. That said, my job is fairly broad. I look after all the IT infrastructure and systems and provide tech support to internal staff. Additionally, I look after security and compliance to help Perenso avoid any unnecessary risks. I also handle licensing of software, and vendor management. Basically, I cover a wide range of things that fall outside of what the software developers and success team do in order to make sure everyone can do their job effectively.

How long have you been at Perenso: Four years – since April 2019

What is your favorite thing about working at Perenso: The people – everyone is generally supportive of each other.

How did you end up at Perenso: I knew some people who were working at Perenso in 2019 and was asked if I was interested in applying for an IT role. (For context – I have known Jase (Jason Manson) since we were 5 years old.)

The most exciting thing you’re working on: The new export system I’m partially involved in is pretty exciting. While not ‘exciting’, the project we have currently to get SOC2 certified will be extremely satisfying when we get our SOC2 report, hopefully at the end of the year. It will be a major achievement for Perenso.

What is something you are really good at: My wife says ‘breaking things down and explaining them’ however my answer would be ‘spatial reasoning’ as it’s something that comes really naturally and seemingly not for others.

What is the strangest food combination that you enjoy: Pickled onions, cheese, some sort of ham in a sandwich. I don’t really eat this anymore because it’s lethal for your breath but it tastes good.

If you could choose anyone in the world to be on a deserted island with, who would you choose and why: Bear Grylls. He at least appears to know what he’s doing.

Name a song that makes you happy: Difficult choice. Let’s go with “Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits

Tell me your best joke: What comes out of a cow and sounds like a bell? Cow DUNG!

Where is the coolest place you’ve traveled: As a history lover, exploring Pompeii with Vesuvius looming above was pretty special.

Name an item on your bucket list: Leptis Magna, Libya. It’s one of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy.

Who is your hero: Any poor sod who signed up in WW1 and went over the top into hell and almost certain death. They were braver in the face of abject misery and helplessness than I could ever be.

If you want a person, then maybe Sir Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. He probably would’ve been a nightmare to deal in person with but he managed to preserve a small army against overwhelming odds in Portugal and Spain, eventually winning the peninsular war against Napolean’s France and forcing them back across the Pyrenees. Oh, he also won the Battle of Waterloo so there’s that.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend: Playing board games with good friends.

What is the most ridiculous thing you believed as a child: My dad and mum had it all figured out. As a parent now, you realise how far it is from the truth but I celebrate them for giving us a stable home.

Do you have any pets: No but there’s a cat named Cuthbert in the house I’m in currently. He’s just back from being neutered today so he’s looking a bit aggrieved.

If you could live anywhere, where would you live and why: A riverside village in southern England perhaps. Close to anything you need and a short flight to so many amazing cultures and historic places.

What is your favorite tv show to binge-watch: HBO’s Band of Brothers

Describe yourself in three words: Amused. Loyal. Tired.

Learn more about the trade show software Garret supports the team in making and keeping secure.