Once a month we'll shine our virtual spotlight on one of the CA Datacom community's members. It's just a fun, easy way for us to get to know one another a little bit beyond our work-related interactions here on the site. This month, we're featuring (KOCST03) Stefan Kochishan.
Location: Northern California 
Current Gig: Sr. Director, Solution Marketing for CA Technologies
One word that describes how you work: Passionate
How do you use CA Communities and any suggestions for others?
Communities is THE place to engage with customers and colleagues on any variety of topics. Best of all, this "virtual relationship" is SO important - from all levels of expertise and knowledge to the vast array of business insights. I REALLY enjoy "meeting" all the people and collaborating on great things!
Mac or PC?
PC!
Mobile Device?
Absolutely! I mean, how else am I supposed to view Facebook, Instagram and YouTube?
Apps/software/tools you can’t live without?
ANY & ALL! I'm ALWAYS looking to learn and incorporate new technologies to improve not only MY wrk experience, but that of my Communities Colleagues as well! Hmmm.. "can't live without"...? Well then my absolute "Must have" tools: A creative brain, my hand gestures and my vocal chords :-)
Besides your phone and computer, what's your favorite item?
My BOSE Portable Speaker and, of course...My WIDE-screen TV :-)
What’s your daily work space like?
It's a BIG corner office in a skyscraper. kidding. My workspace: my home office, a standup/sitdown desk and double monitors for viewing.
How do you balance life/work?
Life/work balance? what's that? lol But seriously: I Work to fund my most favorite passion: Hiking in the Alps (Sud Tirol, Germany, Austria). I find my inner joy and peace high up in the quiet peaks, with only the ringing of bells from the grazing cows, sheep, goats...and churches way down in the local towns.... so...... peaceful. In Fact, My “summer home” would be a “Hütte” (hut) overlooking Berchtesgaden/Königsee (Bavaria) on Jenner Mountain. I am first-generation American…my family immigrated from Germany in 1952. So I am very in-touch with my heritage (yes…REAL MEN wear Lederhosen) and we love hiking Bavaria and along the Alps through Austria, Italy and Switzerland. The views, the people, the FOOD..the BEER! Ahhh…all so wonderful
Best advice you can give and you have received?
Don't be afraid of change. My FAVORITE quote is by Pastor/Educator/Author C. Neil Strait: “Change is always hard for the man who is in a rut. For he has scaled down his living to that which he can handle comfortably and welcomes no change – or challenge – that would lift him.”
What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?
You could EASILY say that I’ve enjoyed MORE than Andy Warhol’s coined phrase: "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." I’m actually doing what I want and loving it! From a professional perspective, I love my marketing adventures, meeting people, and helping to “move the needle”. In my career I’ve been blessed to have been given opportunities many people never get to experience: the “big” presentation in front of 500 people; the intimate boardroom business discussions; helping my sales colleagues achieve their sales goals..the list goes on and on. And in my personal life, I love being a musician (sax/clarinet/reeds)…it’s more than a “hobby”. I’ve had great fortune to have played Internationally, Las Vegas, Branson, Cruises, stadiums, recorded on several CDs and TV promotions… and much more. To me, the convergence of my business life and personal life centers on “performing”… the microphone is a VERY powerful tool.