Hi everyone! This week, for the Employee Spotlight Series, we interviewed Zachary Markham. Zach is a Research Supervisor and joined the SpendMend team a little over six years ago. When asked why he looks forward to coming to work every day, he stated, “I really enjoy the people that I work with. We are blessed with a great team within Research, but there are so many great people all across the company at every level, so any interaction during the day is welcomed!” Zach was born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI, and still lives there with his wife and kids. He attended Cornerstone University and studied Business Administration and Leadership. A fun fact about Zach is that during work, he enjoys listening to podcasts. His favorite podcast is Jordan Peterson’s and his self-improvement episodes. When asked what Zach enjoys most about the podcast, he states, “When listening, I feel like I am getting a free education, and I suppose, in some way, I am.” Zach recommends that if you’re going to listen to Jordan Peterson’s podcast, choose a recent episode and then one of his earlier ones! You can then see the evolution of his podcast and style. Thanks for the tip, Zach! Outside of work, Zach has been an avid fly fisherman for over 14 years. He enjoys fishing in Michigan rivers, such as the Manistee, Pere Marquette, Au Sable, Betsie, Rogue, and Flat. His favorite part about fly fishing is how tranquil and exhilarating the hobby can be! One moment, he is enjoying the calm day, and the next, a giant trout sweeps out from an undercut bank to smash his fly! If you’re interested in fly fishing or have any questions, Zach is your guy! Another hobby Zach loves is drumming. He started really picking up the drums when he was about 19 years old when he bought his own drum set. His favorite type of music to play is rock’n’roll. Some of his favorite groups are The Who, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, CCR, The Beach Boys, and Eagles. Be sure to check out the full interview below to learn about Zach’s live performances!
Zach is a valued team member as a Research Supervisor. We asked John Baker, Director of Shared Services, about Zach, and he said, “I respect that Zach is continuously seeking personal and professional growth. Here at SpendMend, he has a large team which he would do anything for. Outside of work, he absolutely lights up if you ever ask him about his family.” We are grateful to have people like Zach on the SpendMend team!
Interview with Zach:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Research Supervisor
How long have you been with SpendMend?
A little over six years
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
My wife (then girlfriend) was an intern.
What three words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Dedicated, Insightful, Caring
Where are you located/from?
I was born and raised here in Grand Rapids and still live in this amazing city with my wonderful wife and our two kids.
Where did you go for higher education? What did you study and why?
I studied Business Administration and Leadership at Cornerstone University because of my passion for both business and leadership.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I really enjoy the people that I work with. We are blessed with a great team within Research, but there are so many great people all across the company at every level, so any interaction during the day is welcomed!
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Oh boy, this one is a toss-up. I was a caddie for many years and enjoyed that time getting a great farmer’s tan each summer. I also worked at afly fishing store for many years, where I really fell in love with customer service/experience and, of course, loved teaching others about fly- fishing.
What is one fun fact about you?
I am married to my wonderful wife, Avreil, and we have been blessed with two wonderful children.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
I usually don’t have much time to listen to anything during the workday. However, I enjoy listening to classic country and rock music. The Rolling Stones are usually my go-to, but I can get down to anything from the 60s or 70s. As for podcasts, I enjoy business and self-growth, my favorite podcast being Jordan Peterson’s.
What kind of podcast does “Jordan Peterson” do?
Jordan Peterson covers a range of topics within his podcasts, but the ones I enjoy the most are the self-improvement episodes.
What do you enjoy most about his podcasts?
His insights into the topics discussed are invaluable. When listening, I feel like I am getting a free education, and I suppose, in some way, I am.
Are there any podcast episodes that you would recommend?
If you’re going to listen to Jordan Peterson’s podcast, I would recommend choosing one episode from the past few months and then going way back to some of his earlier episodes. This way, you can gauge his style and the evolution of his podcast.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
I’m an avid fly fisherman. I’ve been fly fishing for about 14 years now, and I enjoy casting flies in the rivers of our great state of Michigan. I like to tie up my own flies for fishing as well. Another hobby of mine is music. I’m a drummer by nature, but I have also picked up the guitar in the past four years. I mostly enjoy playing rhythm (hence the drummer by nature).
What piqued your interest in fly fishing?
I grew up fishing conventional tackle, and then, one summer during my middle school years, my cousin turned me on to fly fishing. I was hooked from the start and never looked back.
Where is your favorite place to fly fish, and why?
In good ‘ol fisherman style, I can’t tell you exactly where my favorite place to fly fish is, but I enjoy fishing many of Michigan’s rivers, including the Manistee, Pere Marquette, Au Sable, Betsie, Rogue, and Flat to name a few.
What is the most fun part about the activity?
My favorite part about fly fishing is how tranquil and exhilarating it can be at the same time. I’ll be wading in a river, enjoying a beautiful day, when all of a sudden, WHAM – a giant trout sweeps out from an undercut bank to smash my fly and its fish on! What a rush!
When did you start drumming?
I took a few drum lessons when I was 11 and learned the bare basics of drumming. It wasn’t until I was 19 or 20, when I bought a drum set, that I really started to drive the beat and hone my craft.
What is your favorite type of music to play and why?
My favorite type of music to play is rock’n’roll. Lots of ’60s and ‘70s music run deep in my veins. Some of my favorite groups are The Who, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, CCR, The Beach Boys, Eagles, and many more. I also enjoy some classic country such as Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, The Everly Brothers, Charley Pride, etc.
Do you enjoy playing drums with others or by yourself?
I enjoy playing with other people when the chance presents itself.
Have you ever played live at an event?
My buddy and I played a couple of live performances; he played guitar while I played drums, and it was quite a thrill. I really enjoy putting on a good performance for people, and playing live is absolutely awesome. I like to get the crowd involved and interact with them a bit between songs.
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
Working in Research, I’m more on the “Back-End” of things, so I don’t typically reach out to vendors or clients directly. However, we get a lot of requests internally for projects to be completed for other departments. It is satisfying to complete these projects and turn them around back to the requesting department in a timely manner.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
Due to my role, my answer is a bit different, as the best compliment I’ve received has come internally. I worked really late to get a project completed for our Purchased Services department, and the CEO and President reached out to me personally, thanking me for going above and beyond.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
SpendMend has a really awesome niche within the healthcare market. Profit Recovery, Purchased Services, Sales Use Tax Auditing, and Vendor Management are some ways we assist hospitals and healthcare systems to save and/or recover money, just to name a few. From my perspective, the best part of serving the healthcare market is helping hospitals and clinics provide better care for patients. That’s what healthcare boils down to in the end; it’s about the patients, and I’m honored to play a role in providing better care for them through what we do at SpendMend.
If you work at the Grand Rapids headquarters, what is your favorite Recovery Room Activity?
Ping Pong all the way!
What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?
Very limited, but I always hear great things about them and want to be more involved going forward!
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
This might be quite the list, but here we go! The entire Research Team: Beth Rinehart, Brittany Williams, Carla Roark, Chon Lankford, Cira Washkevich, Hepzibha Peter, Julie Phung, Laura Dennis, Molly Mankel, Samantha Herriman, Sangeetha Solomon, Santhosh Kumar Basappa Karjagi, and Tammie Miller. I’d also like to give a shout-out to my bosses, Cindy Allen and John Baker. A few more here as well: Dirk Lindquist, Mark Beuschel, Pandush Mitre, and Travis Wheeler.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Be ready to learn, work hard, and connect with some awesome colleagues.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
Being promoted to the Research Supervisor role.
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
I’m looking forward to the continual growth of the company and the new challenges/opportunities that come along with it!