Employee Spotlight - Christine Burke

Mary C. | 15 September 2004 |

Christine Burke

I am originally from Richmond, Virginia, which was an old-fashioned southern town when I was growing up. As a girl, my favorite activities were camping with the Girl Scouts and sailing. After graduating from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, I headed for the hills of rural Virginia in search of a "back to nature" lifestyle. There, I prided myself on my practical skills such as baking bread, tuning up a car, growing a garden, and operating a chainsaw. The chainsaw was important, as all of my heat came from a wood stove. I also became a youth counselor, and could be seen driving a van loaded with delinquent boys to the movies or the roller skating rink.

Eventually, in pursuit of a new career, I enrolled in an MBA program and began attending night school. Upon finishing grad school, I was hired as the marketing director of a computer training center. The company offered intensive, hands-on training sessions for corporations and government organizations. There, I gained valuable experience in marketing, customer service, and training.

I was drawn to Colorado because of the outdoor adventures it offers. Ten years ago, I became the business development manager for a software localization company in Boulder, CO. Localization is a package of services including language translation, engineering, and project management. The end result is a "localized" software product that can be marketed in a foreign country. I enjoyed having co-workers from around the world, and hearing many languages spoken in the hallways.

During a sabbatical, I went on a rainy, 11-day canoe trip in the Yukon Territory. It was there I met Mike Gross, a hydrologist, who is now my husband. To be with Mike, I moved to rural Silt, CO, which just happens to be within commuting distance of Blizzard Internet Marketing. Mike and I enjoy whitewater canoeing, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

As the Tracking Department Manager, I especially appreciate the opportunity to evangelize for a product that allows marketers to measure results. I am a results-oriented person, and believe that when customers pay for something, they should be able to see results.