Spotlight on Employees

Most Axon clients know that a core part of our mission is to employ people with disabilities. Featured on this page is  Axon Office Manager Kathy Roan.

"Kathy Roan is the glue that holds Axon together", says Steve Jensen, Board President of Axon Technologies. "She has incredible attention to detail, which sure comes in handy as she air traffic controls just about every single quote, purchase order, invoice and inquiry that passes through Axon." He smiled and added, "The way she stays cool under pressure and maintains her super positive attitude tends to keep the whole team charged up."

Harold Lamphear, a seasoned senior IS professional with Pinellas County and Axon client of eight years, agrees. "She is the greatest. Kathy and Axon have been key players in facilitating the fact that Pinellas County is in the superb technological condition that it enjoys today." He added, "Plus, I prefer working with partners who are positive in attitude and responsive to my needs....Kathy personifies both." Kathy, a native of Boston who has been legally blind since birth, underwent vocational rehabilitation in 1992 in an effort to learn skills outside the food business. In prior years, Kathy had operated a business called "Kathy's Canteen" before learning that she qualified for computer training under the Florida Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Thanks to some excellent training and her positive outlook, Kathy became so proficient at computers and enjoyed technology so much that she was asked to join the teaching staff at VR's Clearwater facility. In 1994, Kathy was hired by  Axon Computers.

"The best part of my job is that I get to talk to lots of Axon customers". With a 27 inch monitor and state of the art customer service software at her fingertips, Kathy is able to quickly and efficiently respond to customer inquiries. Steve Jensen said, "Kathy is the heart and soul of Axon. While her visual disability doesn't allow her to help in the actual manufacture of hardware, she does just about everything else around here to help this organization succeed."

Kathy, whose passions include gourmet cooking and her two dogs Rusty and Riley, said she really appreciates her customers. "I have a soft spot in my heart for anyone who buys Axon products. Not only do my customers know a good computers when they see one, but they are enlightened enough and courageous enough to take a chance and help people who need a break in life. My job is to make them glad that they chose Axon".