Meet Lanette Miller, our new Technical Account Manager

Lanette's journey to amazee.io is unorthodox, to say the least. It took her from the early days of the internet, through the world of craft beer, and eventually to the power of open source in the hosting world. Her work story highlights how unique experiences coalesce into a distinctive and valuable skillset.

Lanette entered the tech world in 1994 at The Poynter Institute, a journalism school and think tank. In a time when the internet was still in its infancy, her first major task was to bring the institute online. This wasn't merely plugging in a cable; it was a ground-up endeavor. From physically building server racks and installing a then-cutting-edge 56k line to setting up the network gateway and even learning HTML to build their very first website, Lanette was immersed in the digital world from day one. With the rise of the internet, the complexity of her role also skyrocketed, managing multiple web servers and an ever-expanding infrastructure, all while handling the daily tech needs of the institute. This foundational experience gave her a deep, hands-on understanding of systems and the challenges of a growing online presence.

After 18 years at Poynter, the changing landscape of journalism led Lanette to make a surprising pivot: she opened a craft beer bar and grill called Crum's. The bar and grill had a staggering 65 beers and ciders on tap. It was here that her tech background unexpectedly resurfaced. Frustrated by the limitations of the hospitality software at the time, Lanette leveraged her experience with Drupal to develop her own application: KegTracker. This custom-built app managed everything from the ever-rotating tap list and back-of-house inventory to cost analysis and even powered the online beer menu. KegTracker became a testament to the power and flexibility of Drupal, solidifying her belief in open source solutions.

This experience with KegTracker paved the way for Lanette’s return to the tech industry. She joined Acquia as a Support Engineer, where her innate talent for troubleshooting truly shone. For eight years, she thrived on the constant problem-solving, honing her ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues. This eventually led to a transition into a Technical Account Manager role, allowing her to take a more proactive approach, build lasting relationships with clients, help them optimize their sites, and anticipate potential challenges.

When asked about the job-related skill she's most proud of, Lanette doesn't hesitate: "I am very, very good at troubleshooting." This ability, sharpened through years of hands-on experience across diverse environments, is a cornerstone of her professional identity.

For Lanette, a good workday is when she can solve problems, help others, and share her knowledge through teaching. At amazee.io, she's particularly excited about the open source platform and the innovative new AI solutions the company is exploring. However, the people of amazee.io and her positive interactions with the team have stood out to her, resulting in genuine excitement to get started and collaborate with her new colleagues.

When her workday ends, Lanette taps into her creative side by weaving. With several floor looms at home, she dedicates her time off to crafting cloth.

From the nuts and bolts of early internet infrastructure to the complexities of managing a craft beer bar with a custom Drupal application, Lanette's work experiences have equipped her with a unique blend of technical knowldge, problem-solving skills, and a deep appreciation for the power of open source and genuine human connection – qualities that make her an inspiring addition to the amazee.io team.