--- title: "Appnovator Spotlight: Michael Blake · Appnovation" url: "https://www.appnovation.com/insights/2021-02-appnovator-spotlight-michael-blake" description: "We sat down (virtually) with Michael and found out more about his work, life, and passion for helping others and riding roller coasters!" --- Article # Appnovator Spotlight: Michael Blake We sat down (virtually) with Michael and found out more about his work, life, and passion for helping others and riding roller coasters! [![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ey850001/production/b331e37f0be8705e6d59a737df9a4790888b2da6-68x68.jpg?w=68&auto=format) Vanessa Burley](/people/vanessa-burley.md) Feb 04, 2021 3 min read ![Appnovator Spotlight: Michael Blake](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ey850001/production/0c36f99c593e18064369bceedde7ac19b8c0ea5a-1200x644.jpg?w=1400&auto=format) ### Meet Michael Blake, our Atlanta-based Technology Manager We sat down (virtually) with Michael and found out more about his work, life, and passion for helping others and riding roller coasters! **What do you love most about what you do?** I enjoy helping people learn how to enjoy using the Atlassian toolset. **What are you most proud of for your career?** I keep a positive attitude no matter what is going on around me. **What would you like to achieve in your career?** I would like to pass my knowledge to as many people as possible. **Where have you worked before and what valuable learnings did you acquire?** I've previously worked at Convergys and my biggest learning was that hard work and performance are important in equal measure. I started as a junior computer operator and 14 years later, held the title of Senior Manager. **What do you love most about working at Appnovation?** The openness – everyone is willing to help one another. **What does being an Appnovator mean to you?** Being an Appnovator means harnessing the power of technology to make customers' lives better. **What advice would you give to someone new to Appnovation or interested in working at Appnovation?** Be open with everyone, do not be afraid to ask questions as the team members bring a lot of experience and knowledge to the table. **My biggest accomplishment in life is:** I was able to help my parents when they needed assistance. It brought us closer together as a family. **What do you do outside of work? i.e. hobbies, special interests, etc.** I do a lot of voiceovers for suprememastertv.com and act as the primary camera person for the North Carolina and South Carolina area. I volunteer 3-6 hours per week at the Humane Society of York County. **If you came over to my house for dinner, I'd make you:** A celebration (vegan) roast baked with rosemary potatoes and carrots. **The bravest thing I've done is:** With both of our pastors out with emergencies, I led the service and delivered a sermon that I had prepared with about 15 minutes' notice to our congregation of over 900 people. **My dream vacation is to:** Take a cruise around the world to see sights around our beautiful planet. **If I was a song, I would be ... (we'd also love to know why):** "White Christmas" by Irving Berlin. The song lifts up people during the holidays. **If I was a cartoon character, I would be:** The Disney character Goofy. I am tall and sometimes stand out awkwardly in a crowd, but am not afraid to start conversations. **The most fun I ever had was:** Riding roller coasters all day long with my friends at Kings Island in Cincinnati. **My fondest memory is:** Dozing off with my cat, Chris, sleeping in my lap. He passed away this year. **I feel happiest when:** I am helping someone overcome obstacles in their lives. **Tell us an awesome fact about you that few people know about:** I am an ordained Deacon in the Southern Baptist Convention. **What’s your personal definition of success?** Success is being able to use my knowledge to help someone else. **What does “being successful” mean to you?** Being successful means that people seek you out when they have questions because they know that I will listen to their problem and find a solution quickly. **What are you looking forward to learning and/or doing next in your career?** When Covid-19 protocols are lifted, I would like to go to customer sites to provide in-person training and coaching. **Want to learn about joining our team? Follow Appnovation on** [**LinkedIn** (opens in new window)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/appnovation/) **or visit our** [**Careers**](/careers.md) **page to apply to one of our open positions (yes, we’re hiring!).** [![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ey850001/production/b331e37f0be8705e6d59a737df9a4790888b2da6-68x68.jpg?w=68&auto=format) Vanessa Burley Appnovation](/people/vanessa-burley.md) ## Keep reading [![A woman stands in front of the Hong Kong skyline, she has long, brown hair and wears glasses](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ey850001/production/87e4354427ad022c754a01eb39df93c977cafecc-1200x644.jpg?w=640&auto=format)](/insights/appnovator-spotlight-yulia-kolpakova.md) Article · 3 min May 05, 2023 ### [Appnovator Spotlight: Yulia Kolpakova](/insights/appnovator-spotlight-yulia-kolpakova.md) [Appnovation](/people/appnovation.md) Article [![Andrew Douglas, a man, stands in front of a brick wall. The text reads Spotlight: Andrew Douglas, Group Design Director.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ey850001/production/b02ac7ab318d480b86f5367fcb7b8c9b765feef0-1200x644.png?w=640&auto=format)](/insights/appnovator-spotlight-andrew-douglas.md) Article · 2 min Apr 06, 2023 ### [Appnovator Spotlight: Andrew Douglas](/insights/appnovator-spotlight-andrew-douglas.md) [Appnovation](/people/appnovation.md) Article [![A woman called Natasha Sanchez works as a client services account executive.](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/ey850001/production/85c2b7701543dd2010b07b874485bb9616ae82fa-1200x644.jpg?w=640&auto=format)](/insights/appnovator-spotlight-natasha-sanchez.md) Article · 1 min Mar 08, 2023 ### [Appnovator Spotlight: Natasha Sanchez](/insights/appnovator-spotlight-natasha-sanchez.md) [Appnovation](/people/appnovation.md) Article ## Get the thinking, *before everyone else.* One considered email a month. New essays, field notes from live engagements, and the occasional strong opinion. No noise.