Employee Spotlight: Armando Villa Avila
In this month’s employee spotlight, we’re getting to know Armando Villa Avila, our Solutions Engineer. Armando works in the Service Operations department, as part of Product Support contributing to the Client Success team. In his role, he resolves complex issues and provides technical support where needed, aiding the engineering team and their operations.
Armando has completed a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from the University of Guadalajara and a Masters of Administrative Science (MAS) from Fairleigh Dickinson University Vancouver Campus. Prior to his role at FISPAN, he worked at Galvazine as a Tier 2 Senior Technical Support Engineer, providing on-demand support for clients during software installations and SSO implementations.
How long have you worked at FISPAN, and what do you do here?
I joined FISPAN in May 2022, so it’s been over two years now. Initially, I started as a Tier 2 Support Engineer, specializing in handling complex issues escalated by our Tier 1 and onboarding teams. In this role, I’ve been responsible for monitoring alerts from various systems and managing incidents across different internal teams.
I’ve truly enjoyed my time as a Tier 2 Support Engineer because it has allowed me to understand the intricacies of the FISPAN architecture deeply. This understanding is crucial for effectively resolving issues and collaborating with various teams across the company. It’s been a great opportunity to engage with nearly every department and learn how all the parts of our systems integrate.
Recently, I’ve been transitioning into a new role as a Solutions Engineer, which I’m very excited about. I have previous experience in this type of role from my six years in Mexico before moving to Canada ten years ago. In this new position, I’ll be working closely with our bank clients, architecting solutions tailored to their needs. It’s a challenging role, but I’m confident that my knowledge gained at FISPAN, combined with my past experience, will contribute to my success.
What are you most passionate about at FISPAN?
Over the past two years, I’ve witnessed remarkable growth within our company. We’ve not only exceeded our expectations but also created significant momentum. It’s been inspiring to see us attract and onboard exceptional talent across various departments over the past year.
I’m particularly excited about the future of our company and my new role as a Solutions Engineer. I look forward to contributing to our continued growth and innovation in the coming year. It’s a thrilling time, and I’m eager to see how my role will shape our company’s trajectory moving forward.
What is a typical workday like for you at FISPAN?
Each morning begins with a thorough review of my tickets and those in the Tier 2 queue, prioritizing any urgent issues requiring immediate attention. Concurrently, I check my schedule for the day, preparing detailed notes on relevant tickets in anticipation of scheduled meetings to ensure a structured approach during discussions.
Following this, I prioritize reviewing emails and Slack messages to stay updated on communications and any new developments. Around 10 am, I typically take a brief break to visit JJBean for a cappuccino, which is a routine moment to refresh and refocus.
Returning to work, I proceed with monitoring alerts and promptly follow up on any active incidents, providing updates to our clients through dedicated channels. Throughout the day, a significant portion of my time is dedicated to incident management, ensuring swift resolution and effective communication with stakeholders.
As the day progresses, I allocate time towards ongoing side projects and the creation of new documentation or knowledge articles for our team. This ensures continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within our department.
In summary, my workday revolves around diligent incident handling, proactive client communication, and contributing to team initiatives, all aimed at maintaining operational efficiency and delivering exceptional service.
If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
If I could interview anyone, it would be Chris Do, the Founder of The Futur. I’ve been a dedicated follower of his YouTube channel for about a decade. Based in Los Angeles, California, Chris is not only a transformative director, designer, and entrepreneur, but also someone from whom I’ve gleaned invaluable insights as a creative professional.
Through his videos, Chris advocates for creating environments where individuals can pursue their passions and lead fulfilling lives. His mission resonates deeply with me as he aims to empower 1 billion people to make a living doing what they love.
I am particularly keen on engaging in a one-on-one conversation with Chris because I believe there are numerous lessons and strategies from his experiences that could be beneficially applied at FISPAN. His innovative approach to sales techniques, marketing and entrepreneurship aligns closely with our goals and aspirations.
Do you have a favourite quote? What is it?
“The challenge, then, is to turn your hobbies, interests, and talents into a long-term, sustainable career. The overlap among all those things is your latent superpower. Tap into this well of strength, and you’ll soar in ways that you’ve only dreamt possible.”
— Chris Do
What is your proudest moment in your professional career?
Throughout my career, there have been several moments that stand out as sources of pride. Whether it was putting my all into winning a project, resolving a challenging issue, securing a new job, or earning a promotion, each instance has been deeply rewarding.
These experiences have consistently shown me that when you dedicate yourself wholeheartedly and trust the process, life often surprises you with outcomes that exceed your initial expectations. It’s a testament to the power of perseverance and belief in one’s abilities.
How would you describe the culture in your department?
Our department cultivates a supportive and collaborative culture where every team member is encouraged to grow and thrive together. We embrace diversity not only in backgrounds but also in industry experiences, which enriches our collective perspective on problem-solving and innovation.
Overall, our department’s culture is characterized by its supportive nature, diversity of thought, and a shared commitment to learning and growth. These elements not only make us a stronger team but also empower us to achieve our goals collaboratively while fostering a positive and inclusive workplace environment.
What’s one thing you’ve learned since joining FISPAN?
So many things about the FINTECH industry, especially the technology and architecture of how we connect to the different banks. Before joining FISPAN my technical knowledge was in a different industry, I worked at Galvanize in the GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) industry for about 5 years before joining FISPAN.
Do you have a hidden talent?
I have a creative side, I like painting and for the last 10 years, I have been working as a graphic designer, as a side gig in Vancouver specializing in PowerPoint (Pitch Decks, Sales Presentations, Company Trainings, Explainer Decks) for public speakers, entrepreneurs, and businesspeople that have seen the great results of a professional presentation.
My experience is not limited just to Presentations, I have also worked on the creation and design of e-books, posters, websites, social media banners, photography as well as any stationary or branding design needs (Business cards, ads, web design, and assets).
Portfolio: https://armando-villa-avila.myportfolio.com/
One of many examples of Armando’s art!
What TV show or movie are you currently enjoying?
One from National Geographic called A Small Light. The story follows the remarkable story of Miep Gies, a Dutch woman who risked her life to shelter Anne Frank’s family from the Nazis for more than two years during World War II.
I recommend this one and also, one called We Were the Lucky Ones, this one is about a Jewish family that is determined to survive and reunite after being separated in World War II.
What is your favourite place to eat in Vancouver?
Mi Casa Mexicana located in the Kitsilano area at 2015 Burrard St. Do not forget to order the Tres Leches Cake, which is a homemade sponge cake soaked in a mixture of 3 kinds of milk topped with cajeta and whipped cream.