After talking with Hamlet about how Velocity came to be, and with Steve about why, it’s time to turn outwards. Over the next few posts we want to introduce you to our team. Our clients know and love them, and we want to give you the same opportunity.
Today we’re starting with Thomas Trumble. Thomas is one of our longest-tenured teammates. Thomas started in 2020 as a full-time dedicated CSM for one of our clients. Since then, his excellent work (and work ethic) has seen his responsibilities grow and evolve, while still providing that same outstanding customer experience… all while mastering a new HR platform. Now Thomas is heavily involved in marketing, personnel management, and the short and long term operations and strategic planning of the company.
How has he come so far? Let him tell you in his own words…
How did you end up working for Velocity?
I’ve known Steve and Hamlet since we were all colleagues at IBM/Kenexa, more than 10 years ago. I was always intrigued and impressed with the way they took the leap and started their own company. Despite that, I didn’t expect to work together until 2020, when I was coming to the end of a contract role and wanted some work while I looked for a full time job. Once I experienced Velocity and what Hamlet and Steve were building I wanted in – I wanted to be part of their organization. Luckily the feeling was mutual and the rest is history.
What is your role? When you're drinking your morning coffee, what parts of the job are you looking forward to?
My role is technically Client Success Leader, but I’m fortunate to be able to play multiple roles at Velocity. The parts of my job that I most look forward to vary, but always involve helping someone solve a problem or accomplish something, whether it’s a team member or a client. When people are able to better do their jobs because of something I’ve been able to help with, big or small, it means a lot to me: my work is making a difference for someone.
The company has grown quite a bit since you first joined, what has been the biggest change over the years?
Change has been the only constant blah blah blah… time has flown since I joined Velocity, and there has been significant change. We continually work to adapt ourselves to the needs and changes in recruitment technology. “At home” within the company we’ve seen growth, adding employees, benefits, processes and tools of our own to make us better at what we do. That being said, our essential nature and the goals we set for ourselves, our clients, and the company have not changed. Throughout the years and over the course of these many changes, we still have the same goal of helping people in HR and TA to do their jobs better, more efficiently, and more easily where possible.
What challenges or trends do you see today, and where do you think they'll lead in the next year?
I see the standard “AI conundrum” that everyone recognizes. Market-wide initiatives to quickly adopt AI in a way that makes business sense and achieves actual benefit, but doing so in a safe and compliant way. I also clearly see workforces shifting as a result of AI adoption, and other trends like Return to Office. I’ve been doing this long enough now to know that these (and other) challenges and trends will result in new opportunities and re-learning of OLD lessons we’ve not quite mastered yet as an industry.
When you're not helping clients with their TA Tech Stack, what do you spend your time on?
I’ve been tinkering with a new algorithm that I developed that will change the way we… Only kidding!
First and most importantly I spend my time being dad to three kids (7, 6 and 4). That doesn’t leave a TON of time for other pursuits, but I love to travel, I’m an avid sports fan (SKOL Vikings), and I love to read (or listen) to books. I keep trying to push and stretch the Stephen King boundary I’ve constructed for myself around the small amount of time I spend reading, but I’m finding it challenging… Feel free to message and share your favorite authors with me.