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Our most recent addition to the Verdict Systems Technical Support team, Gary Klabunde has been surviving on a steady diet of technology for many years. Correspondingly, his complexion reflects that inner glow that can only come from extended exposure to overhead fluorescent lighting and LEDs. Though he is, technically speaking, new to the company, Gary's connection to Verdict Systems goes way back. He started out working with Dan back in the last century, in the computer department at Incredible Universe. Out of a strong sense of loyalty, (or because he locked himself in at night and refused to leave), he stayed with the store through its sale to the Fry's Electronics chain and continued working there for many years, first as a Supervisor in the Computer sales area, and then as the Service department manager. "It was there that I learned what I now consider my primary virtue for the workplace," Gary says, "-- Patience."Gary discovered that pretty much everyone who visits the Service department at a big electronics store is unhappy, he explains. Either something they bought is broken, a salesperson sold them the wrong item or their delivery showed up an hour later / earlier than they expected, so they missed the delivery team and now need to reschedule. "Seven years of finding resolutions for every conceivable problem eventually teaches you that nothing is as bad as it first appears," says Gary, "And that with a little lateral thinking, you can make it past any difficulty life throws at you." He adds, "Occasionally, you can even make the other person so happy they will actually realize they were unfair when they first spoke with you and apologize for their behavior and that is the sweetest feeling ever." (No worries, though. Gary is very discreet in his gloating.)He's also a MMORPG addict (that's Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game, for the un-initiated), which he admits may seem sadly geeky, but it gives him more time to amuse himself over the antics of his dog who tries vainly to play catch with neighborhood cats and barks at dog food bags spilling over at night as if they were the antichrist and everyone in the house must wake up to fight off the evil. Generally a modest guy, despite his personal history with the boss, Gary's first reaction upon being asked for information for his bio was, "Wow, a bio of me? First I get a key, then an actual computer for my cube and now I get to be added to the web page. I'm really feeling the love now!" Speaking of love, Gary also recently announced his engagement to charming fiancée Loni, who is also the mother of two great kids. The happy pair will marry in December. | 