Employee Highlight: Rob Baxley–Big Man in Japan

Rob Baxley, Network Engineer for Carolina Advanced Digital has been part of our team for two years. With an arsenal of obscure bands and networking knowledge, Rob has an untouchable cool. He’s easy going, friendly, and always on the lookout for ways to improve the lives of others—most importantly team members and customers. Rob first decided that he wanted to be part of the IT world a few years ago. With some exposure to the industry, Rob purchased lab equipment, took a few certification classes and started working for a solutions provider who specialized in contract work for an Internet service provider. After hearing about a new opportunity from a former colleague, Rob interviewed with Jennifer Minella, Vice President of Carolina Advanced Digital and joined the engineering team in the beginning 2013. Originally from Marshville, North Carolina–a town nestled in the Piedmont, southwest of Charlotte–Rob graduated from Forrest Hills High School and enrolled in the math program at University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill the following fall. Rob is huge Carolina fan and never misses a chance to cheer on his Tar Heels—particularly the men’s basketball team. Later at UNC, Rob’s studies to an unexpected twist and he decided to minor in Japanese with the Department of Asian Studies. He was first attracted to the program because he eventually wanted to move to Japan after spending several summers visiting family who lived there. “It’s just so different,” Rob said. “I loved the culture, food, and people.” After researching ways to gain employment in Japan, teaching the English language was the most viable option. At the time there were...
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