Our Fall Spotlight shines on the unofficial ‘Mayor of Madison.’ If you know anything about Jim Bartlett, it’s that he is deeply rooted and involved in his town. As you’ll see from his answers to the questions below, he participates in a whole lot of fun, fundraising, and festivities in beautiful Madison, Indiana. Jim is one of the founding members of Unified Technologies.
Here’s a little more about Jim, in his own words.
Tell us a little bit about the type of work you do at Unified Technologies and your job responsibilities.
I am one of the technicians who spends most of his time on the computer taking care of remote changes and service problems. I have been around a while, so I often find myself drawn into discussions about applications and troubles that others have not seen before and providing support to other techs over the phone and over their shoulder when they are in the office. I also frequently provide support to the sales crew when they are trying to find a solution to a unique situation.
When you aren’t at work, what keeps you busy?
I live in Madison, IN and I am rather active in community events there. I am an Elder in my church, I am in charge of operations for the RiverRoots Folk Art and Music Festival which keeps me running in the spring of the year. I am on the board of the 5 to the 5 Vintage Hydroplane Association and head the volunteers at our annual September Vintage race. In my spare time, I am Vice President of the Ohio Valley Folk Society and work with them on smaller events and concerts that they put on. As an Elk, I help to organize a series of events where we bring Musicians into the local schools to expose students to the arts in a way they wouldn’t otherwise get, and finally, I organize and participate in a team for the annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kid’s Sake fundraiser.
Have you always been in this industry? If not, what brought you where you are today?
I am the old timer having come into the industry in 1979.
What’s one thing you love about what you do for a living?
This industry is forever changing, and there is always something new, and always some new customers to meet and get to know.
What you do for fun or to unwind?
As you might gather from the list of things in the question above, I love music and working with people.
If you could do one thing for a living that had nothing to do with your current job, what would it be?
I would probably be an event organizer.
Is there something fun or interesting that you’d like people to know about you?
For 3 years before I got into this industry, I was a disk-jockey and absolutely loved the job…but I was lousy at it.
Favorite food or snack?
I enjoy everything, but maybe pasta tops the list.
Tell us a little bit about where you’re from and your family.
I was born in Kingston OH but was 2 months old when my family moved to Madison, so I count myself a native Madisonian. I have 3 great kids, 2 daughters and a son, and 5 grandkids. I am the older of 2 boys, my younger brother Bill works for one of our customers.
