Meet our people

I've been at DDS since 2001. I joined as a technical writer. Then an opportunity came along to apply for the role of product manager. The promotion was the right move for me and there was lots of on-the-job training to support me.

Three years ago I advanced my career again when I was promoted to product director of the digital media buying team. It's a role that demands energy, creativity and commitment.

My job involves guiding development and completing project milestones. Doing all this while meeting strategic goals is challenging but rewarding. DDS has an open door philosophy so I can always talk to my manager when there's something on my mind. Also the company has a good time off policy and while your job can be demanding you can be sure of a good work-life balance.

One of the best parts of the job is meeting and interacting with the digital community. It's important to keep focused on where this fast-moving world is heading.

Knowing I'm helping digital planners do their job well is a source of pride for me. I need a high level of job satisfaction and intellectual stimulation and I get that in this role.

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I work on a team that develops DDS' flagship digital media application. It involves a lot of hands-on design and Java development.

The application electronically communicates with many third parties, such as website publishers' sales order processing systems, large, well-known ad servers and DDS' own agency billing system. I use a variety of programming tools and services including SOAP, MQ, XML/XML stylesheet (XSLT) and JSP/JSTL. With so many inputs and outputs, my team needs to work in close collaboration and I'm involved in the entire SDLC process, which makes the job even more interesting.

When I started at Donovan Data Systems two-and-a-half years ago, I knew little about the advertising industry, but the employee orientation was detailed and informative and provided me with a good introduction to the industry and DDS. There's also a good deal of training on the job so you can get up to speed pretty quickly.

I'm originally from Hyderabad, India and came to the U.S. in 2003 to work as an IT analyst. When I joined Donovan Data Systems they took over my H1B visa and are now applying for a green card on my behalf. I'm thrilled that they're taking care of this.

At my previous job I worked late most days and then did two or three hours more work at home in the evenings. Although we have tight deadlines and the work is demanding here at DDS, the managers plan better and use resources well so there's less of a frenzy. This means I can leave work on time and have the right work-life balance.

My work is important to me. I take pride in doing it well. I enjoy the job, my colleagues are approachable and supportive and we all confer with each other on the best way to approach development challenges. This has been a good move for me.

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I'm a project manager responsible for stewarding large, cross-departmental projects. I make sure that all the pieces are completed on time and fit together to achieve the project goals.

Project management tasks include communicating timeline, schedule and status information to all teams involved, managing change, tracking progress and assessing risks. What I love about my job is that no two projects are alike. I run each one a little differently, based on the nature of the project and the people involved. I work with colleagues in all departments, so collaboration is key.

I'd been working at Donovan Data Systems (DDS) for seven years before becoming a project manager. I started my career here as a support analyst, was promoted to support supervisor, and then to support manager.

I earned my Master's degree in Information Technology/Project Management while at DDS, by taking evening and weekend classes. DDS kindly assisted me with my fees through its tuition reimbursement program. When I completed my degree, DDS recognized my new skill set and moved me into my current role. It was very nice to get that recognition. Each of the project managers in our project management office (PMO) has a different strength. I'm people-process oriented and I leverage my interpersonal skills.

I'd describe the atmosphere here as productively competitive; it's not the cutthroat environment you might find in other organizations. Working conditions are good. Key for me is the flexibility. While I was studying I'd just give advance notice and it wasn't a problem at all when I needed to take time off for schoolwork.

I enjoy working at DDS. Looking back over the past 16 years, I wouldn't change a thing. I've learned so much, and the recognition I've received for my accomplishments drives me to succeed.

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I started at Donovan Data Systems in 1997 as a support analyst. After I gained a good understanding of clients' workflow and goals, I decided to transfer to product development, to play a role in designing our systems. Because I was an experienced support analyst I bring a lot of empathy to the design phase, since I appreciate clients' needs and sense of urgency.

As a product developer I tested new applications, provided second-tier support and wrote product design specs. After five years in that position I was promoted to senior product developer, where I  have more ownership of the product. I'm responsible for designing broader functionality, since I know how different parts of the code have to work together, such as integrating third-party applications and communications pieces into our products.

I recently took on project management tasks, coordinating all the teams that contribute to a product release. Overseeing a large project is challenging and rewarding, and I'm gaining a lot of experience – plus lessons for next time!

I've always had great relationships with my colleagues. Now that I'm managing a large project I appreciate that even more. People on other teams are cooperative, understanding and knowledgeable, and you can rely on them to help you achieve your goals. You can be confident they'll share the burden, contributing in their areas of expertise.

I've built a fulfilling career here at DDS. I also enjoy the casual atmosphere and flexibility. DDS is responsive to people's needs. A great benefit for me was the six-week paternity leave I was able to take to stay with my son after my wife returned to work.

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After nine years at Donovan Data Systems and earning my MBA, I wanted to broaden my scope. Except for two short stints after college, my entire career had been in the advertising industry and I wanted to try something different.

So, I left DDS in 2006 to work for a leading financial information firm. I was looking forward to working for a large, public company. After five months, I saw that the company wasn't a place where I could grow and succeed. I started to recognize that DDS had many unique attributes that made it such a great place to work and I decided to return.

I gained a lot of perspective by leaving and coming back. I appreciate the supportive management style at DDS, and the fact that I don’t feel micromanaged. There's an open door to management – or to anybody, for that matter – about any issue.

For me, the best thing about DDS is that it's a meritocracy. You're judged on your accomplishments. If you're willing to put in the work, you're recognized for what you do. You have the opportunity to set your own career goals.

DDS not only places importance on professional development, but they also place a focus on family and personal life. I was able to take advantage of both tuition reimbursement and the parental leave plan. After both of my children were born, it was great to be able to take time off with such flexibility.

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I started at Donovan Data Systems as a customer support analyst, and within three years was promoted to business analyst on an account team. I've found that DDS frequently promotes from within and wants to help you grow your career.

My manager was supportive of my move, and prepared me for the new role. I've heard the saying here, “right person, right job,” and managers are on the lookout for job openings to help employees reach their full potential.

Training was one of the main reasons I was interested in joining DDS. The courses I've already taken have increased my understanding of the marketing communications world. Knowing that I'm being trained by the industry leader makes me feel I'm at the cutting edge of technology in the media market place.

My colleagues on the account team are extremely helpful, and senior business analysts work as my mentors. This collaboration results in a great team relationship.

Another aspect of DDS that I can't stress enough is the work-life balance. The hours are better than anyplace else I've worked. And the paid time off plan makes it more flexible than ever. In my previous job, I often worked a 10- to 12-hour day and felt like another cog in a machine.

I feel DDS hires ambitious people with initiative, so you're working with people who are interested in their job and career, and motivated in what they do.

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I'm a senior business analyst on an account team, working directly with clients to help them enhance their workflow.

Before I came to Donovan Data Systems (DDS) I worked as a sales rep and then as a media buyer. This gave me a solid understanding of the industry. I can see issues from the agency point of view because of my own experience and am able to show clients how DDS can work for them.

There are lots of opportunities at DDS. I started here as an account rep and was promoted to account manager. I enjoy working with my team. They have different professional backgrounds and skills, which helps us provide well-rounded service. Working with a diverse team has also helped me grow and learn new skills in my current position.

The work is still exciting after 11+ years. I've managed many different projects with a variety of clients that have different needs and face different challenges. I never feel I'm working on the same thing all the time. It's nice to know I can look forward to continued advancement.

Most importantly, DDS is a respectful workplace. The management team offers guidance, support and direction to help you achieve your goals.

The company provides the right work-life balance so that I can be a full-time working mother of two children and have a challenging career that I feel good about.

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I've been at Donovan Data Systems since 1988, going on 22 years now! Before joining DDS, I worked as an analyst in an insurance company. My BSc is in Computer Information Systems, and the prospect of working on a support desk and helping clients over the phone is what attracted me to DDS.

I moved up the ranks at the support desk, becoming a supervisor and then a manager, while gaining proficiency on DDS systems. After that I was ready for new challenges. Having worked on our systems for so many years, I wanted to have more of an impact in shaping our products.

Ten years ago, I applied for an opening in the demographics group, and am now product manager of that team. Our job is to incorporate into DDS systems the demographic data supplied by the likes of Nielsen and Arbitron. We research, develop and test the data. As soon as a new data stream is announced, we find out if our clients need it, and if so, we start working on supporting it.

I absolutely love my team. We all learn from each other. When I first joined the demographics team, the senior programmer took me under his wing and served as my mentor.

There's definitely room for growth in my field. With people viewing media on DVRs, mobile, etc., there's always something challenging. And advertisers will always want to see the impact of their advertising.

There's a good work atmosphere at DDS. I am given the responsibility to make decisions and no one  micro-manages me.

But what I like best is the people, especially those on my team. DDS hires people who are helpful and dedicated, no matter what position they hold. It's a very collaborative environment.

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I started at Donovan Data Systems (DDS) three years ago as a project manager. DDS gave me the opportunity to thrive at my work and after a year I was promoted to Quality Assurance (QA) director. I gained respect at the company through honesty, forthrightness, championing best practices and successfully implementing them as processes. Success is highly respected at DDS!

I was originally attracted to DDS because of its commitment to a good work-life balance. Now that I work here, I also appreciate that individuals with good ideas are allowed to implement those ideas and make a difference. Management is very open and accessible, and it's easy to have conversations with senior executives.

My philosophy is that good partnership, strong collaboration and trust are the hallmarks of creating outstanding teams. I'm a strong believer that to create great products, all departments have to work together and be very client-focused. I'm happy to say that this philosophy very much resonates at DDS and with this thinking we drive QA procedures to improve our software and processes across the company.

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I began my career in 1999 as a support analyst, and was promoted once before deciding to move to an account team. I thoroughly enjoyed working closely with clients and traveling around the U.S. meeting them in person. I was promoted once on the account team as well. After gaining solid experience in client service I moved to the EDI (electronic data interchange) team. It was good to build my knowledge of the sales side of the business.

Today I'm a product developer. This was probably the most challenging move I'd made as there were many new tasks to learn. However, my manager recognized my potential and provided me with guidance and support which in turn gave me confidence in my own abilities. It's always good to hear that people are happy with your work and I appreciate the consistent feedback my manager gives me.

One of the things I really value at DDS is that there's always the opportunity to do something new. I've learned so much in each role and it has been good for my professional development. I think it's important to always add to your skill-set. Once I remember not getting a job I'd applied for at DDS. At the time I was upset, but in hindsight I realize that I wasn't ready for it. I'm glad to say I was promoted to that job a few years later when the time was right.

In addition to good career progression there's a healthy work-life balance at DDS.  The company takes a flexible approach and that's especially important to me as I have small children.

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I have an accounting background, and joined Donovan Data Systems in 2005 to advise clients using the accounting system. I've always been interested in the advertising industry too, so it felt like the right move.

I worked on an account team for a year and then went on maternity leave. The new-parent benefits are excellent and I was able to stay home with my daughter for three months. When I returned, I decided to transfer to the support team as an analyst. This was a fantastic move for me, as I learned so much more about DDS systems through training classes and from other members of the team.

While on the support team, I took a trainer certification class and when there was an opening for a trainer I applied and got the job. I enjoy meeting new people and sharing my system knowledge.

I love the other people on my team. They take their work seriously and are happy to offer advice and share their expertise. They really inspire me and give me great ideas. I aspire to train like the experienced professionals on my team – and even they attend classes to learn from other trainers! There's always something more to learn.

DDS is very family-oriented. When I got pregnant they were so wonderful about it. You couldn't ask for more. That really showed me what kind of company I was working for.

I find management extremely supportive. They want to promote you. I never had a manager here who didn't want me to progress. They want to see you strive to do something better and different, and that is really motivating.

I'm in a great place in terms of my career. I've found my niche, and I've done it all in less than five years. I'm so happy coming to work every day.

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I joined Donovan Data Systems (DDS) in May 2007 as a senior programmer analyst on iDesk, our application for planning and buying digital advertising.

Previously I was working as a Java programmer in the insurance field, and I wanted to learn something new, both in terms of technology and the industry I was programming for. I was working as a consultant and now I'm a full-time employee, which enables me to get all the employee benefits.

At DDS I like the flexibility of the workplace – the summer Fridays and the work/life balance. I also like the work culture. There is good exposure to technologies, and they're open to implementing new tools when they'd be helpful.

The most interesting aspects of the job, for me, are designing software and analyzing problems, because you need to know the big and small picture, and how one change can impact other things. It's creative and rewarding.

Colleagues at DDS are supportive. There is good interaction among programmers. We keep each other informed of our progress so we're assured the programs will function smoothly. We work hand-in-hand with the business team, which has many advantages: We know the product meets the clients' needs and turnaround time is fast on any product issues that come up, so we can develop a better product more quickly. We also work closely with QA and operations.

Managers are good. It's kind of a family environment. Everyone works together, focusing on a single goal.

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