New Team members Chris Burgess and Grace Alkis keep systems and employees connected and secure
Chris Burgess, Senior Director, Information Technology and Security Project Manager
Even as a diehard technologist, Chris Burgess doesn’t believe in starting with the technology and figuring out how to use it. He and his team start with the business goal.
“In a planning meeting, you’ll hear me say, ‘Okay, let’s start roadmapping and see where we want to take this,’” Chris says. “Ideas and diversity in approaches bring a vision to fruition.”
Chris and his team oversee the technology and related processes for all of Nordis’ departments and functions, facilitating efficiency, growth and security.
Chris joined Nordis in January, bringing more than 20 years of experience in enterprise IT management and cybersecurity. One of his focuses is on protecting Nordis’ and its customers’ data through robust processes, policies, and tools to mitigate threats.
“This industry is at the forefront of security, and that’s one of the things that drew me to Nordis,” Chris says. “Cloud-based solutions allow more flexibility and scalability in managing infrastructure and security, and Expresso® capitalizes on that.”
As examples, Chris points to standardizing processes for onboarding customers and adding measures like multifactor authentication to enhance data protection.
Chris’ role involves working closely with the internal IT team as well as with customers to address their technology issues and security audits. Maintaining security requires a dedication to continuous monitoring, updating, and improving the security infrastructure. To that end, he and his team conduct regular internal audits.
Despite the serious nature of his work, Chris has a gift for making people feel comfortable and an uncanny ability to make people smile. “I was an introvert when I was younger. Then I married into an Italian family and I don’t think I’ve shut my mouth since,” he says with a laugh.
Chris and his wife Kim moved to Florida from Massachusetts several years ago. He enjoys golfing, scuba diving and anything outdoors. Though ice rinks aren’t as plentiful as in the Northeast, he still plays hockey and coached his four boys’ teams when they were growing up. Chris has a big “B” on his license plate to prove his lifelong love of the Boston Bruins.
Grace Alkis, Human Resource Specialist
If you arrive at work to find a few people waiting at your door to speak with you, it might make your pulse race. It does for Grace Alkis, but in a good way.
As a Human Resources Specialist, Grace has a key role in supporting our employees’ life at Nordis. She helps them navigate through hiring, onboarding, understanding our policies, payroll and benefits administration, and assisting managers in the many ways to motivate and retain our employees.
Team members sometimes beat her to her office because her hours are 10 am – 7 pm to better accommodate all three work shifts in the Coral Springs, Florida and Las Vegas production facilities.
“I love coming in and seeing people lined up,” says Grace. “It’s energizing because I know we’ll solve any problems. Maybe it’s teaching someone how an application works or how to put in for time off. I’m their go-to person for anything they need.”
With nearly 10 years in human resources, Grace says she was drawn to a career in HR to communicate with and help people, to make them feel valued and supported. She likes to connect with those of different backgrounds and life experiences.
Grace joined Nordis just before Christmas. “When I interviewed with [executives] Dolores Calicchio, Mark Seltzer and Gabe Preczner, I was impressed that they viewed a company’s success not just in terms of sales but as a great place to work,” Grace says. “I felt in sync with that employee-first attitude and knew Nordis would be my home.”
A lifelong Floridian, she’s mom to 7-year-old Daniela and 12-year-old Adrian, and they enjoy going to the beach and having barbecues. Grace is also an avid traveler. With her partner, she visited Turkey and Peru, drove through Germany, Amsterdam and Belgium, took a family trip to Italy and has another planned, this time to Budapest.
She loves the scenery and the food, but Grace says people and culture are the best part of her travels.
Want to learn more about our team? Get in touch.