From his home base in Sutton, MA, Wade Leveille has been navigating the innovative lanes of Vend for the past two months and quickly found his footing as a Senior Software Engineer. Today, we're sitting down with him to learn more about his journey and insights.
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Q: Before landing at Vend, what were you working on?

A: I was at Slync.IO, where we were enhancing efficiency in the global freight industry through logistics orchestration. Despite its closure at the end of 2023, it was a pivotal experience in my career.

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Q: Wade, what led you to join the Vend team?

A: After Slync closed, I was on the lookout for a startup with a compelling mission and team. Vend caught my attention with their innovative solutions for the parking industry and their venture into IoT devices. It felt like the perfect match.

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Q: There must be aspects of your job at Vend that stand out as favorites. What are they?

A: Absolutely. The impact we can make daily here is what drives me. Vend's culture is all about taking ownership and being ready to jump on any challenge, which is incredibly fulfilling.

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Q: Working in the parking industry is quite specific. What interests you about this field?

A: Coming from rural areas, parking wasn't something I thought about much before. Now, diving into the industry, I'm fascinated by the potential for innovation. Vend is at the forefront of that, which is exciting.

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Q: Looking back, what achievements in your career are you most proud of?

A: Leading Intygral to an acquisition by Zywave in 2015 was a standout moment. Also, navigating through the highs and lows at Slync taught me a lot about resilience in startups.

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Q: How would you describe the culture here at Vend?

A: It's fast-paced and exciting. We all come in with a clear focus on our mission to innovate in the parking industry, leaving any egos behind.

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Q: There's always something new to learn about someone. What's something about you that might surprise us?

A: I've never worked for a large company. Vend, like my previous experiences, is under 500 employees.

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Q: Can you talk about a project at Vend that's been particularly interesting for you?

A: The V4 technology rebuild has been a highlight. I've been deeply involved in kiosk integration and developing LPR logic. It's been rewarding to contribute to the core architecture from the start.

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Q: If you could offer a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

A: Explore more and gain a broad tech experience early on. Also, invest in real estate and find a mentor who can guide you through your career path.

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Q: Imagine you could choose any superpower. What would it be?

A: Time travel, without a doubt. To revisit simpler times would be amazing.

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Q: How did you first get interested in tech?

A: It all started in the '90s when my dad brought home our first computer. I was fascinated, dabbling in Visual Basic and building my own computers. It's been a passion ever since.

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Q: Looking ahead, what are your goals with Vend?

A: I aim to help Vend become the leading solution in parking and garage management.

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Q: Before we wrap up, any personal tidbits you'd like to share? What's the last song you listened to, or what are you currently watching or reading?

A: The last song I had on was 'Wish You Were Here' by Pink Floyd. My wife and I are watching 'Sons of Anarchy' together. And on my bucket list? Getting my Private Pilot License. Also, I enjoy playing guitar and dirt biking with my son.

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Thanks, for chatting with us Wade. We are so glad to have you as part of the team!

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