Our promotional spotlight employee for August 2025 is Paul Vakselis, Information Technology (IT) Manager.
This August, we’re proud to shine our Promotional Spotlight on Paul Vakselis, a long-time member of Penny Lane Centers’ IT team whose journey is as grounded as it is inspiring. Originally from the Chicago area, Paul began his career in tech during the early 2000s, working in corporate environments like United Airlines and Nestlé. Over the past 11 years, he’s become a vital part of the IT department, helping support the systems that allow our mission-driven staff to serve the community every day.
Paul’s path within PLC has evolved as the agency has grown, leading him to a new role where he can expand his impact beyond day-to-day tech support. What sets Paul apart is not just his technical skill, but his belief in the work PLC does and the people behind it. From releasing a remote instrumental album during the pandemic to the life-changing experience of adopting his son through foster care, Paul brings authenticity, warmth, and curiosity to every aspect of his life and work. He’s a firm believer that who you work for matters just as much as what you do, and we couldn’t agree more.
I grew up in the Chicago area and went to DePaul University. I have been working in the IT field since 2001. I originally worked for a dotcom that was purchased by United Airlines. My wife and I moved to California in 2005, and I worked at Nestlé before ending up at PLC in 2014. My initial path was moving towards big business enterprise-type stuff.
Strangely enough, a layoff. I was working as a contractor for Nestlé in Glendale when they had a massive round of cuts. I had been experiencing a little bit of corporate burnout and was considering a career change at that time! Then an opportunity popped up at PLC, and 11 years later, here we are!
Coming to PLC made me realize that WHO you work for is just as important as WHAT you do for a living. We aren’t just appeasing stockholders – we are making real changes in our community and the world every day. Even though I have minimal direct contact with our clients, I feel extremely proud every day to be able to support those who do. I might be a small cog in the machine – but what a great machine it is!
IT isn’t the biggest department. But as we’ve grown over the last few years, the structure of our group has had to change and adapt. Part of that has opened this new position, and I’m extremely excited about this new role.
My supervisor, Phillip Mix, has always pushed all of us to grow where we can. I feel very lucky to be part of such a great team. We really work very well together and there is a culture of information sharing and camaraderie that you don’t always find inside the world of IT. I also want to give a shout-out to our CEO, Wendy Carpenter – she has created some wonderful teams over the years, a few of which I’ve been privileged to be a part of. The lessons I’ve learned in these groups extend far beyond what I can cover here, but they have helped steer me to where I am now and laid the course for how I will work with others in the future.
The way our group is run, you are involved in the bigger picture of IT from the first day you are here. You are always learning and involved in any new changes. Beyond that, we’ve been able to attend some great trainings over the years that have been really valuable.
Getting my head out of the ticket system to focus on other things. 😊 Everything else is still very new, so I don’t have too much to add yet.
I have my BA in Communications and did not originally intend to pursue a path in IT. I was actually very close to going back for an MA in Psychology before I landed at PLC! I also put out an instrumental record with some friends during COVID that we collaborated on entirely remotely.
Most recently, in 2021, we entered the world of foster care with our son, whom we adopted last August. 😊 Becoming a father in my 40s has been completely life-altering!! Best job ever.
If you are curious, you will never be bored.
From the top to the bottom and from the bottom to the top – this agency is full of folks who really believe in what they are doing. In these crazy times, it’s nice to be part of a place that can provide some clear and caring stability to our community.
Waking up every day and feeling the sun on my face. Hearing laughter at the breakfast table. Nights at home watching movies. Good conversation with friends. A good book. My chosen family.
Congratulations Paul!
