This week’s Why Draper subject is Vince Shockney. Vince is the development side of our award-winning web team. Vince is the kind of guy who can read code for a good time!
How did you come to be working at Draper?
The organization where I was working at the time had decided to streamline their IT Department by outsourcing all development. As their web developer, I took it as a hint to consider moving on (as a side note, outsourcing did not work, they now have more IT employees than ever). After working in several IT roles at various sizes and types of companies over the years, I had determined that I wanted to work at a mid-sized company, preferably a manufacturer. They often need people with broad skill sets to wear a lot of hats. Coincidentally, Draper was looking for a web developer with database, web server and general IT experience. I bribed Penny Sitler, the hiring manager, and the entire company has been angry with her ever since.
What do you like best about your job?
I’m valued, respected and challenged. IT is constantly changing and no more so than in the area of the web. As a part of the web team at Draper we are always trying to find ways to better serve our dealers and end users with an informative website. Draper’s rapidly changing and diverse product offerings may make for a stable company, but it sure creates some challenges for website development.
What are some of your funniest moments at Draper?
I do remember a few funny moments, but I don’t have any reason to embarrass anyone. That would surely come back to bite me. However, I do find it funny when I tell other people that I have been at Draper for nearly nine years and they ask why I would work at one place for so long. By Draper standards I’m still the new guy.
What do you like to do in your time away from Draper?
Away from Draper I spend a lot time trying to keep my yard from becoming a swamp/desert/wasteland. When not working outside I enjoy reading and playing video games. I also dabble in genealogy. I’ve found that the Shockney surname began when Patrick Shaughnessy, a 13-year-old orphan, hopped a ship from Ireland to the colonies in 1765. Whether intentional or not, when he arrived in America his name changed to Shockney. I couldn’t imagine getting on a ship to a strange land when I was 13. I haven’t found any famous or rich ancestors yet, just a bunch of Quaker farmers. I doubt that “Who Do You Think You Are?” is going to be giving me a call anytime soon to televise that.
Tell us about your family:
I’m married to a wonderful woman willing to overlook the fact that she’s married to an old man. We still have one son at home. He turned 16 in February and has only totaled one car—so far. My insurance company loves me. The other son is 19 and always seems to be missing when it’s time to mow the yard. Our daughter is married and lives in Indianapolis. She’s an IT risk auditor for an insurance company and is due to make me a grandpa in a couple of months. Like a lot of people, I also have an ex-spouse who is willing to remind me of my many flaws, whether I ask or not. Oh, I can’t forget the dog and two cats that leave tokens of their appreciation in the hallway once or twice a week.
