Matt Dennis
Senior Director, Information Technology & Web Development
- Digital
JOINED HIRONS: 2020
Sr. Director, IT & Web Development
Director, Digital & Development
Sr. Director, IT & Web Development
Read our Q&A with Matt Dennis
HOW DID YOU BREAK INTO THE INDUSTRY AND LAND YOUR FIRST JOB?
I kind of fell into it by accident. The company I worked for right out of college got caught up in the ‘dot.com bust’ and I was out of work. A friend and co-worker had gotten a job at a local advertising agency and asked me to come work with him. And here I am, 25+ years later still in the industry.
WHAT PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THE INDUSTRY?
Flexibility. Everything is constantly changing and morphing and you need to be ready and able to adapt to it.
OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES OR PASSIONS?
I’m the ultimate DIY’er. I enjoy working with my hands, building and fixing things, so you can usually find me in the garage building a piece of furniture or wrenching on the car. During the warmer months, you can also find me on the range as I help run and participate in competitive shooting sports.
WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU HAVE YOUR BEST IDEAS?
Depends on the defiiniton of ‘best’. I’d say probably late at night, ‘vegging’ on the couch is usually when I have the time to stop and think and when I do most of my ideating.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
My first job was mowing lawns in the neighborhood. We had an electric ‘plug-in’ lawnmower so I had to not only push the lawnmower up and down the street, but also lug a couple hundred feet of extension cords along with me. I’ll leave out the story of the time I accidently created an electric fence.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT IN TOWN?
There’s quite a few favorites around town. If I had to pick one in Indy it would be Ralph’s Great Divide. If we get to stretch the boundaries, then it would be The Friendly Tavern in Zionsville.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS.
Sarcastic. Adaptable. Problem-solver.
WHAT’S ONE THING YOU EVERY DAY AND CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
Coffee. Got to have my coffee to start every day.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MOVIE OR BOOK?
Again, the list is long and distinguished. If I were forced to pick one movie it’d probably be Fletch. I’m almost positive I can quote the entire thing start to finish.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF DAY?
Late at night. I typically stay up later than everyone else in my house so I get to enjoy some quiet time.
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