Talking Shop at NYPA and Beyond with IT’s Jeff Stackhouse

When did you start working at NYPA?

I started working at NYPA 2009 in the Corporate Communications Department, developing the external web site (NYPA.gov).

Later, I transferred to IT and began working with the SharePoint team. Here we worked on developing the Powernet (NYPA’s intranet) and related online business solutions as well as content management.

What is your current title and what IT group do you work in?

I am a Developer Analyst and I work in the Application Development group. Our team provides application development for groups across the Authority.

Name some of the best things you have learned in your current role.

In my current role I have been able to collaborate with business stakeholders and team members. We come up with fresh, innovative ways to produce business solutions. Some of the best things that I have learned include analyzing workflows and data binding – this kind of work really helps people in their day-to-day tasks.

How do you evaluate success when working on an IT project?

I measure success by how much we have evolved as an organization. Workflow, agile methodologies, and the reliability of the projects we release have all improved over time. NYPA’s IT-LT has done an amazing job providing the department with the right tools to be successful and we are always striving to grow and get better.

Describe an IT project that you are especially proud of.

I am most proud of updating the newly launched internal IT website using SharePoint. The team and I meet weekly to talk over new ideas and creative ways to keep our information relevant and fresh. What’s great about this project is that it’s always evolving while being a window into the world of our IT group. It also allows employees outside of the department learn a little more about our operation.

Which of your skills, technical or otherwise, have helped you most while working in IT?

I would say all my skills have helped me in one way or another. Prior to NYPA, I was the Creative Director for a New York State law enforcement agency. There, the challenge was to be creative and flexible while being able to adapt to a variety of visual communication mediums. All of which prepared me for the challenges at NYPA.

When have you been most satisfied in your IT career?

Recently, I have been assigned to work as a user experience (UX) designer. This role is closely aligned with my background in multimedia. It is a role that allows me to share a range of different skills such as animation, illustration, and web design and development.

What do you see as your greatest contribution (so far) to NYPA IT?

I was able to brand and enhance the UX for products that are being released both internally org-wide and externally, and I can see the benefit of my work almost immediately making a difference to NYPA staff and customers in their day-to-day tasks.

Can you recall a problem that you have taken on lately where old solutions did not work?

Since technology is always changing, it does create challenges when trying to apply older standards to current challenges. As an example, the way we access data now using cloud technology challenges us to convert our current information to cloud solutions as part of our ongoing digitalization.

People at NYPA who know you know that you have many intriguing hobbies outside of work. Please tell us about some of your recent music and art projects.

I am an illustrator, painter, graphic designer and a musician. My band is currently performing at events across the tri-state area. Additionally, I am developing a jazz album and working on a portrait of New York City’s Mayor, Eric Adams.

Have you been able to transfer skills or solutions that you learned from art and music to your day- to day work in IT? How?

I have - I’ve been able to incorporate my advertising design background to assist IT with branding products and communicating messages. On many occasions I have shared my musical talents at NYPA where I had the pleasure of collaborating with many of my talented coworkers and friends.