Meet Phillip Finch | Retired Computer Application Program Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Phillip Finch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Phillip, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
A quote attributed to Lao-Tze, a Chinese philosopher: “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

To me, in simple terms it means be careful about the things I think about and how I think about them, because my thoughts drive me to who I become. What I dwell on in my thinking, will determine what I become in my life. If I can control my thoughts, I can control my destiny. The things I say, the things I do, the habits I assume, the character I display, all come from the content and treatment of my thoughts.

I like this because in a way it works to uncomplicate my life.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Working from 1976 to 2019 in the computer industry was a wonderful experience. During my professional career I worked in three companies:
1976 – 1995: Unisys Corporation (Banking software applications and systems; Program Manager)
1995 – 2014: JDA Software Group (Revenue Management software solutions; Program Manager)
2014 – 2019: WebOps, LLC (Medical device logistics; Program Manager)

Education:
* Atlanta Public Schools. 1971 graduate of Murphy High School in Atlanta.
* 1975 – BS Computer Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
* 1976 – MS Computer and Information Systems, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA

I had great fun in my work, especially in the early days. It was immensely gratifying to develop software solutions that solved legitimate business problems and satisfied customer requirements. Along the way, I learned a lot of lessons,
Some important lessons were:
* Principles are important, regardless of the setting or environment, and a worker’s principles are as important as their superiors’
* Communicating is key at all levels and in all mediums. Up, down and across the matrix. Speaking, writing, texting, emailing, video-conferencing; body language too.
* Guard your reputation by being good to your word. At least deliver what you commit to deliver. If possible, exceed the commitment. If a commitment will be missed, inform all stakeholders asap and do what you can to mitigate the risk.
* Treat others in the way you want them to treat you.
* Always keep learning; when you stop learning, you die mentally and spiritually
* Always keep moving; when you stop moving, you die physically
* Always keep loving; when you stop loving, you lose purpose in life

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
An itinerary really depends on the time of year, but some of the spots I would want to hit are:
1. A sports game (Braves, Hawks, Falcons, United)
2. Enjoy a view from the top of Stone Mountain
3. Enjoy a view from the Jackson St. bridge
4. An evening tour of the city (lights, murals)
5. Visit the area of Centennial Olympic Park (National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Coca Cola Museum, College Football Hall of Fame, etc.)
6. Ebenezer Baptist Church (for worship and brunch afterward at Beverly’s)
7. The MLK District (including the visitors center, the old church, birth home, fire station, etc.)
8. Some restaurants to visit: Ms. Icey’s; Barcelona Wine Bar; Surin of Thai; 57th Fighter Group; South City Kitchen; Fogo de Chao; Chops
9. A play at the Fox or the Alliance Theater
10. Visit an exhibit at the High Museum

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Well, I thank my parents, god-parents, wife, children, extended family, church and community families for the love, support, and challenge they have given me throughout my life, career, and post-career. Special shout-out to one high school teacher who opened the door to my computer education and career–Mrs. Dell Martin. Neither of us knew at the time in the spring of 1971 when she allowed me to enter grades and play games on a remote terminal that that experience would lead to my choosing Computer Science and Engineering as a major, and ultimately a career as a computer professional.

All the lessons in school classrooms; all the lessons in Sunday School classes; all the experiences playing sports and being coached by men who cared about young people; all the examples of professionals who had a great grasp of product requirements, development techniques, product quality, customer support, and business; all the people who I observed living out the gospel message, who understood how the scriptures applied to our lives and tried to be a part of good in the world.