EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
John Gerlach
Project Manager
Meet John – the man in charge of our IT, Kofax, and Security Projects. Since joining FastTrack back in 2019, John has helped establish the business analyst processes and business rules documents that we currently use for our carrier-client’s development requirements. He loves spending his time out on the golf course ⛳️ with his friends and is an avid New Jersey Devils hockey 🏒 fan.
What is your current position with FastTrack?
I joined FastTrack in November 2019 as a Business Solutions Analyst. I moved into a Project Manager role earlier this year managing our IT, Kofax, and Security Projects as well as the IT workflow (sprint) planning process. Moving into Project Management is a great step in my career. 🤗
What is your typical workweek like?
I start my day meeting with the IT team and managing their current sprint 🔎 ☑️ . I meet with our IT, Kofax, Software Development, and Security partners ensuring our projects are staying on track for completion and deployment 🚀. I also work with other internal teams throughout the week with creating business requirements for our clients and customer service development enhancements.
Do you work with any specific carrier-customers?
I am collaborating with our external vendor on the Kofax KTA Implementation Project. I also see our internal teams as my customers. I collaborate closely with them to create the business requirements for process improvements and system enhancements, which hopefully will provide more efficiencies to both our internal and external clients.
How has FastTrack helped your personal and professional development?
I feel, since joining FastTrack three years ago, I have increased my personal and professional development in distinct aspects. For starters, I can see the impact to our clients as the result of my work in a more rapid pace than I did in my former companies. My technical knowledge has also expanded in new areas including claim processing, our online portal, and Kofax architecture. On a more personal side, I am getting the opportunity to work with a talented group of people that makes me feel that I am part of the team; not just an employee working at the company. 🙌
What is something you love about working for FastTrack?
The best two things about working at FastTrack are the overall atmosphere and all my coworkers. I can voice my option in all decisions, and everyone is rooting for each other.
Do you have any accomplishments within the organization you’re particularly proud of?
When I first joined FastTrack, I was the only Business Analyst in the group. I helped established and set up the Business Analyst process along with creating all the Business Rule Document templates that we currently use for all our client’s development requirements. It is nice to see the process is still up and running (and hopefully making everyone’s job a little easier).
What is your favorite book, movie, or show?
I like watching comedy shows, home improvement shows, and movies 🎥. It allows time to sit back and laugh and get innovative ideas on how to improve my home or get for ideas for future homes.
Do you have any hobbies or special interests?
I love playing golf 🏌️♂️. I am not great player; I just play for the fun of it. It allows me time to relax and to forget about everything for about five hours and just spend time with my friends. I am also a big walker 🚶♂️; I like to walk several miles each day or to go on long hikes exploring new areas. I am also a big New Jersey Devils fan 👏👏. I do not want to jinx it, but hopefully this is our year!
What type of activities are you most likely to be up to on the weekends?
On the weekends, I like to spend time with friends and family. ❤️
What is your favorite vacation destination?
My favorite vacation place is Costa Rica; I have visited it three times and cannot wait to go back again. On my wish list of other places to visit, I would like to go to Australia and South Africa one day soon.
What’s the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery 💰, the first things I would do is to buy a home in Costa Rica and take a golf outing trip to see “The Masters” with my golf buddies.
What is your favorite 21st century innovation?
One of my favorites 21st century innovation is the GPS Navigation. It is amazing, an app on your phone or in your car can give you the fastest and best route to get to your destination based on local traffic. How did we survive all these years without it?
Have you ever had an encounter with anyone famous?
I have volunteered at The Northern Trust Golf tournament for many years as a Walking Scorer, which allowed me to walk with many pro golfers and score their rounds of golf. I have walked with over fifty different players, including Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson, JT Poston, Ricky Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama, and Adam Scott just to name a few. 🤩
What is your motto for life?
My motto for life is simple: Just be happy with what you do every day; everything else really does not matter. 💯
Connect with John on LinkedIn
