13 Questions With: Jason Reid

May 21, 2013

Director, GCDOCS Enterprise Program Management Office, Public Works and Government Services Canada

A hero who has inspired you in your career?

Ken Cochrane – He is a dynamic and engaging leader who worked very hard to build an organisation that valued and recognized its team members.

The first job you ever held and at what age?

I worked at a golf course when I was 12 years old, I remember thinking that it was the best job in the world.

Your first position in the library and/or information services field?

I was a CR-04 Team Leader responsible for physical records management in Revenue Canada, my team and I were responsible for the annual management of more than 6,000,000 tax returns!

Coolest thing in your cubicle or office?

That’s a tough one… I have a baseball card of my oldest daughter when she was 4 years old and playing on a t-ball team, and an original piece of art from a very talented six year old daughter of one of my team leaders who visited the office one day. Both are very cool.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Golf – 4 hours all to myself…

Career advice – what’s your top tip?

Public Speaking – Being able to sway an audience to accept your point of view is very important. It is a great way to show senior management that you are passionate and knowledgeable about the subject you are presenting on, they will remember that during a job interview.

What useless skill(s) do you possess?

I still know how to code in COBOL… Who needs JAVA or .NET when you have COBOL!

Proudest moment in your professional life?

I was nominated for and won the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for saving $3 million a year in postal costs.

If you had 24 hours all to yourself, how would you best like to spend it?

I would be on a beach in the Barbados with my wife and children. Really anywhere out of cell phone range with my wife and children would be a great 24 hours.

If you didn’t work in the information industry, what would you be doing?

I would own my own company or I would be working in sales.

Finish this sentence: “In high school, I would have been voted the person most likely to … “

Win the Masters, World Curling Championship and play in the NBA.

How do you stay current in your field?

I have been fortunate enough to make great friends in the IM field, we meet regularly to discuss trends. I am a member of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat IM Policy Sub-Committee where we discuss everything IM and I read on line articles from organisations like Gartner, AIIM and ARMA.

What would you like your headstone to read?

Here lies Jason Reid, he met his retention and disposition schedule with grace, eloquence and class.