A Culture of Growth: Q&A with Director of Business Development Ale Walker
Gray is growing– fast. It’s certainly no different at Gray Solutions, A Gray Company. The leading systems integrator recently surpassed more than 280 team members across 30 states. The group is results-driven, pairing our customers’ priorities and objectives with modern, innovative solutions in an ever-changing market. Ale Walker, recently hired as director of business development, joined the Gray Family at a great time. We spoke with her about her first few months on the job at Gray Solutions, and why she’s excited about the future.
Describe your normal workday–your “day in the life.”
“If I’m in Lexington, I wake up and brew some coffee, watch the news, and head out the door to our headquarters or the Innovation Center. If I’m on the road, I wake up, brew some coffee (two pods for 1 cup of water for the extra umph, thanks mom), watch the local news, check the weather, and head off to close some deals.”
What do you enjoy most about your work at Gray Solutions?
“I enjoy the people and the culture. Everyone here genuinely cares about you and increasing your quality of work and life. Gray wants your work to be enjoyable and fulfilling. It is an incredible thing to see this carry over into our partnerships with customers, as we want their experience to be just as enjoyable and rewarding.”
What has been your most memorable experience since joining the Gray Family?
“My most memorable experience has been going to happy hour at Mirror Twin Brewing with the team. I feel like everyone really bonds over these times outside of the office, and it brings us closer, improves working relationships, and fosters the Gray culture we strive to keep improving and growing.”
What’s the most valuable advice you’ve ever been given?
“Nothing is ever as bad as it seems, and nothing is ever as good as it seems. It keeps me humble.”
What unique capabilities does Gray Solutions provide and how do they complement Gray’s overall service offering?
“Gray Solutions is one of the biggest players in the industry. Whether it’s automation and controls, digital transformation, advanced automation, or robotics– we can do it exceptionally well. As an agnostic systems integrator that responds to industry and customer needs – we are able to provide the customer with the best solution for their needs.
Our engineers are the best in the world, and they can solve even the most extraordinary problems. They don’t say this is where the best want to belong for nothing. Gray Solutions provides a first-class experience from service offering to implementation.”
What do you think sets Gray apart from other service providers in the industry?
“At Gray, we are able to combine the best engineers, the best people, and the best technology to deliver a first-class product and experience to our customers– all under one roof. We are a single source provider which allows the customer one point of contact and alleviates them from having to source multiple products and services from other companies. They just have to think ‘Gray’.”
If someone was visiting Lexington, what would you recommend to them as a “must-do?”
“I would encourage them to walk through Gratz Park, read the history signs, and go grab a beer and dinner on Jefferson Street. You could also spend a day in the Distillery District, go to Keeneland when they are running the Fall or Spring Meet, or go to a UK basketball game and see the best team in the country play. I love Lexington, so it’s hard to choose one thing.”
