Happy Friday! Welcome to the Employee Spotlight Series! This week, we are featuring Jonas Langvad. Jonas is the VP of Product for SpendMend’s Rebate Insight solution. He joined the team about two months ago through the acquisition of Rebate Insight! When asked what he looks forward to in his future at SpendMend, he said, “Getting more and more clients signed up for Rebate Insight!” It was great getting to know more about Jonas and what he does for fun outside of work! Jonas was born and grew up in Denmark. He later received a basketball scholarship from the University of Utah and graduated with a major in finance. When asked why he chose to study finance, he stated, “I’ve always been fascinated with financial markets and thought for a while I was going to work in the investment or banking industry.” A fun fact about Jonas is that he started playing basketball at nine years old. Since he was so tall, his friends thought his height could be a huge advantage, so they convinced him to play! He played throughout college and played professionally in Spain for a year! His favorite part about the game was striving to improve every day! Jonas found the mental aspect of basketball the most challenging, especially when his team wasn’t winning, or he wasn’t meeting his usual playing standard. Be sure to check out the full interview below to find out how tall Jonas really is! Another fun fact about Jonas is that he enjoys playing video games during his free time with his daughter! Some of the games they enjoy playing are “It Takes Two,” “Minecraft,” and “Phasmophobia.” Jonas loves seeing his daughter figure out how to complete levels or build in Minecraft.
Jonas is a dedicated worker, and we are pleased that he has joined the SpendMend Team. We asked Tony Garcia, VP of Business Development, about Jonas, and he said, “Jonas and I go way back to before the inception of Rebate Insight when he was the star power forward of the highly competitive Ventura City basketball league, LOL. Over the years, he has worked tirelessly on building our vision for Rebate Insights, and he’s been the best business partner and friend I could ever ask for.” If you plan on attending the Annual Company Meeting in a couple of weeks, introduce yourself to Jonas and welcome him to SpendMend!
Interview with Jonas:
What is your role at SpendMend?
VP of Product – Rebate Insight
How long have you been with SpendMend?
Two months
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
When our company was approached about the possibility of joining SpendMend.
What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Client-focused, innovating, collaborative.
Where are you located/from?
Born and grew up in Denmark.
Where did you go for higher education?
Received a basketball scholarship to University of Utah, and I graduated with a major in finance.
What did you study and why?
I’ve always been fascinated with financial markets and thought for a while I was going to work in the investment or banking industry.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I get to create solutions to problems that are affecting most health systems.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Professional Basketball Player
When did you start playing basketball, and why?
I started playing when I was around 9 years old. I was always tall growing up (and still am), so my friends brought me along to help the team. “Can’t teach height” as the saying goes.
How long did you play basketball professionally, and what was your favorite part?
I played through college and a year professionally in Spain. My favorite thing was just playing the game I love and trying to improve each day.
What was the most challenging?
I found the mental aspect most challenging when the team wasn’t winning, or I wasn’t playing up to my normal standard.
What is one fun fact about you?
I’m tall (6’10).
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
Lo-fi, comedy & finance podcasts.
What are the names of your favorite podcasts to listen to?
Wealthion (finance), Lex Friedman (science/tech), Hardcore History (history), and Joe Rogan.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
I play volleyball and video games with my daughter.
What types of video games do you like to play with your daughter?
I play “It Takes Two”, “Minecraft” and “Phasmophobia” with my daughter. The most fun for me is seeing her figure out how to complete the levels or what to build in Minecraft.
Who do you interact with?
Clients and Potential Clients.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
Lots of room for innovation and improvement, and the overall mission of delivering patient care.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
David Malin for keeping me organized and on top of things, Tom Flynn & Amanda Geelhoed-Papach for helping us with all our presentation materials, Kylee Savage & Aiden Reagan for organizing our webinars, Jeremy Toth, Raj Grandhe, Derick Elliott, Dan Geelhoed & Rob Heminger for supporting our vision, and all the VSPAs/RSVPs for taking our message to clients and prospects, – getting us in front of them.
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
Getting more and more clients signed up for Rebate Insight.