Meet Christian Whayne, one of our Business Managers at our Golden, CO office. He joined LSI in 2016 after graduating from the Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Christian plays a pivotal role in engineering, business development, and employee growth. He is best described as charismatic, confident, and hardworking. Read our latest Employee Spotlight interview below to learn more.
How long have you been with LSI?
Seven years
What is your role at LSI?
My role is a combination of client development and controls engineering – programming and hardware design. I also mentor those on my team and help with our recruiting efforts.
Where did you go to college?
I graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Mechanical Engineering Degree and a Minor in Energy.
What industries have you been involved in?
Food and Beverage, Brewing and Distilling, Biopharmaceuticals, Coffee, Utilities and Energy, Oil and Gas, Pulp and Paper, Logistics/Package Handling, Water and Wastewater, Plastics and Polymers, and IT/OT Networking
What is your area of expertise?
My technical expertise is in problem-solving. One of the things that sets myself and LSI apart is that we can be brought into any situation and help identify and solve problems. Clients who know me best know that I am always willing to sit down and discuss new ideas, solutions, or ways to alleviate their “pain points.”
What platforms are you familiar with?
Rockwell Automation – ControlLogix, Studio 5000, PLC-5, SLC500, GuardLogix, FactoryTalk Studio, GE – iFix, Emerson – PACSystems
What has been your favorite project at LSI?
One of my favorite projects at LSI was repurposing a decommissioned tank into a brewery CIP tank. Although this was one of the smaller projects I have worked on, it was one of my first opportunities to manage and coordinate my own project teams and mentor new employees. Although this project was many years ago, I still use the lessons I learned from that experience.
What is your proudest moment at LSI?
Working and mentoring our newer engineers and seeing them grow and develop.
What sets LSI apart as an employer?
The mentality of ownership because it translates to our people treating the client as if we are part of their company. When we are closely integrated, we better understand our client’s needs and deliver a better experience.
What sets LSI apart as a system integrator?
LSI has the ability to step back and look at the big picture of our clients’ needs and projects. There are times when LSI’s involvement is only a small part of the overall project, but by seeing the big picture, we bring more value to the client.
What are three ways or words that you would use to describe LSI?
Integrity, ownership, and excellence.
What is one thing clients may not know about LSI that you would like to share?
LSI is flexible and will work with our clients to determine the best solution – whether that is the type of service or technology needed. We are not motivated to sell one solution over another but instead want to understand the specific requirements and work with the client to tailor a solution that is the best fit for them.
Long-term client relationships are a hallmark of LSI. Why is that?
We think beyond the current project, provide exceptional service regardless of the project size, and have an amazing, talented team.
How has LSI helped you in your career development?
LSI has given me the opportunity to work in a large variety of industries and to gain significant experience in each. Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of and lead a variety of teams, which has allowed me to learn from colleagues with different backgrounds and experiences. LSI’s investment in my growth, both professionally and personally, has not only helped me advance within the organization but has also equipped me with skills and experiences that will benefit me throughout my entire career.
What advice do you have for prospective LSI candidates?
Expect to be challenged daily in different aspects of your personal and professional growth. Know that you will be a part of a team that can support you to ensure you are challenged, progressing, and having fun.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Anything outdoors — hiking, snowboarding. I also homebrew beer.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere that has a beach or mountains. My wife and I recently traveled to French Polynesia, which had both!
What is your favorite sports team?
Denver Broncos and Kansas University Jayhawks.
Apple iOS or Android?
Apple
Any random facts about yourself that you could share with us?
I owned and operated a jewelry business for several years.