Meet Eric Feedar, IT Business Analyst
Eric Feedar has been part of ECE for more than two decades, growing from an entry-level role into his current position as IT Business Analyst. With a background as unique as his sense of humor, Eric brings a thoughtful, creative approach to solving complex problems and building better tools for our team and customers. Get to know the person behind the tech, from his path to ECE to what keeps him inspired, along with a few fun facts along the way.
Q&A Session
Q: What's your background? What did you do before joining ECE?
I grew up on the south side of Milwaukee and earned a BA in Mass Communications and Environmental Science from UW–Milwaukee. I worked at the university bookstore before joining ECE as a filing assistant in 2002.
Q: What do you do at ECE? What excites you most about your position and/or your team.
I'm ECE's IT Business Analyst. When a new feature is to be added to an application used by our customers or staff, I create a description of how it works. That description must both illustrate the feature from the user’s perspective and include technical information for the development staff who will write the code. The position can be quite challenging, but it's satisfying to see an idea become something tangible that improves the customer or staff experience.
Q: What do you like most about working at ECE?
This one's easy: my coworkers. I've been at ECE for more than 20 years and have worked with some of the smartest, kindest, funniest, and most curious people I've ever met. I'd like to think I've become more of each of those things because of them. There are too many to name, but a special thanks for being all of the above goes to ECE's founder, Jim Frey.
Q: ECE prides itself on our Halloween celebrations. What’s your favorite Halloween costume (at any age)?
I once dressed as someone pretending to be a shark. Not as a shark, but as a kind of ocean-swimming prankster, scaring people from just under the surface with a large fin above. I wore swimming goggles and a prominent dorsal fin (foam core board covered in gray duct tape) strapped to my back. Since I was exclusively on land that Halloween, I added a fin-accommodating T-shirt that said "SHARK" on the front in bold black marker. No one was scared, but I was really proud of that costume.
Q: What’s one of your favorite activities when you’re not working? Tell us something that others might find surprising.
I've played guitar and/or bass guitar almost every day—either solo or in a group—for about 35 years. Honorable mentions go to cornet and keyboard, but I didn’t stick with either of those.
I do the New York Times crossword puzzle almost every day. If I happen to skip a day or two, I always go back and complete the ones I missed until I catch up to the most recent puzzle.
Q: Do you have a favorite cuisine? If yes, a particular dish you love?
Mexican food: chile rellenos, or anything involving a variety of moles.
Lightning Round!
Q: Vacation or staycation?
Vacation – A staycation is a nice way to recharge, but I'd rather take the opportunity to see and explore something outside of my everyday surroundings.
Q: Night or morning?
Night – Things I enjoy are more fun in the evening: watching a movie or cooking at home; going out for live music or comedy or a sporting event. I just seem to have more energy at night than in the morning.
Q: Passenger or driver?
Driver – I actually find it fun to drive on city streets, where most of my driving happens, so I'm happy to take the wheel. However, I'd rather be a passenger on longer trips involving highways or country roads.
Q: Be embarrassed or be afraid?
Be embarrassed – I’ve felt embarrassment a million times, so I know how to handle it, usually with a laugh. But being afraid? An adrenaline rush caused by fear? My palms start sweating just thinking about it. No thanks!
Q: City or country?
City – I like being around people, restaurants, and entertainment, and having the option to walk to the grocery store. When it comes to the country, I enjoy camping...
Q: Camping or glamping?
Camping – Packing only the essentials for a camping trip allows more time to enjoy nature or the company of others.
Q: Sweating or shivering?
Sweating – We do enough shivering in Wisconsin, so I welcome sweating. It means warm weather or exercise is happening, both good things.
Q: Hot or iced coffee?
Iced coffee – I prefer a cold beverage to a hot one any time of year, so iced coffee with a splash of oat milk, please.
Want to meet more of the people who make ECE such a great place to work and a trusted partner for credential evaluation? Check out our other Meet the Team blogs to learn more about the talented, passionate individuals behind the scenes.