We are excited to feature several of our team members across the country in our People First Spotlight. The People First Spotlight is a way to learn more about our team members and their roles within Ruan. This month, meet IT Business Analyst Heidi Curry.
Q: Tell us a little about your career path and background.
Growing up in El Paso, TX, I got my computer science degree at UTEP. Toward the end of my college career, I joined the Army Reserves, and that adventure brought me to the Midwest. I worked as a programmer analyst in Manhattan, KS, and Davenport, IA, for over 12 years. I also did a tour in Iraq in 2011 where I led a team of 32 construction engineers in a very demanding environment. I moved to the Des Moines area after joining Ruan in 2015 on the operations side as a business process engineer; however, my strong bond with technology led me back to IT in 2017, and I’ve been working as a business analyst on different teams since then.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working for Ruan?
The people. I have been fortunate to work with people in diverse roles and positions throughout the company, and it has been amazing to see the hard work, dedication, and loyalty to Ruan.
Q: What is your favorite memory during your time at Ruan?
When I joined Ruan, some operations were still going through the transition from our legacy TMS to R2.0. I visited an operation in Missouri during this transition time, and it was an eye opener. We were all hands-on, configuring units for the trucks and training in our down time. Seeing how managers and drivers worked alongside the customer was a learning experience and is one that I always keep in mind when working with those teams.
Q: What excites you about Ruan’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts?
I believe Ruan does an excellent job providing a level playing field in opportunities and career progression to everyone alike. I am proud to be part of Ruan and their continued support and fairness efforts.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
When given the chance, I like to go on short weekend trips to the surrounding areas with my boys—we eat out and do activities we don’t have back home. I also enjoy running and, like most everyone during last year, I’ve picked up baking as a hobby.
Q: In what ways are you involved in your community?
I hold a leadership position in a veterans organization here in Des Moines. We do different types of volunteer work, from serving Thanksgiving dinner at the VA to hosting water tables for local races. We mainly bring awareness to veterans’ issues and provide a community for people to connect. I also volunteer for activities with the City of Des Moines—my favorite is the junior track and field events.