Staff Spotlight: Donna Boyer, Administrative Support

If you have called Intrada Technologies lately, you may have heard a friendly, new voice on the line. Donna Boyer joined the Intrada team on November 8, 2021, and her contributions to our office have been a great help.

Donna and her sons, Matthew and Joshua

Intrada’s Steady Growth Required Some Help

As Intrada has grown over the past few years, the office began to need a full-time staff member to come alongside owners, Paul Boyer and David Steele, and other office staff, to relieve some administrative burdens.

“COVID-19 has created many additional challenges - including inventory shortages, remote users, limited onsite contact and controlling access to facilities,” shared David. “We wanted to remove these extra logistical challenges from the technicians.”

When considering options to fill the role, Intrada’s owners specifically looked for someone who was a quick learner, professional, dedicated, and who cared about Intrada’s mission and our clients’ success. Why not start with someone who had been a vested part of Intrada’s journey since the beginning?

Inviting Paul’s wife, Donna, to join the Intrada team was a natural fit.

“We were looking for an admin assistant to help James with quotes, scheduling projects and onsite visits,” Paul recalled. “I needed someone organized, who can take ownership of the job and get it done. Since Donna keeps our house running smoothly and keeps me in line, I knew she would be perfect for this job.”

“Yes, Donna has jumped in with both feet,” David chimed in. “We were excited to have Donna join the Intrada team to assist and oversee help desk tickets and scheduling. We try to plan, but plans change and Donna has been handling all angles with a client focus.”

The Path to Employment at Intrada

Donna grew up in Hegins, Pennsylvania – a small, rural community outside of the Ashland area. She grew up as the daughter of a coal miner, in a large family with seven children, who were always outside hiking, biking and playing in the mountains.

After high school, Donna attended Bloomsburg University and graduated with a degree in elementary education. Following college, Donna began work as an elementary school teacher and taught for four years until she had their first son, Matthew, and the family moved to the Danville area.

Donna’s topmost priority was caring for her family and supporting Paul, Matthew, and her youngest son, Joshua, in the years that followed. Paul was also very supportive of her role and appreciates the sacrifices she made for her family by staying at home.

While she was at home, Donna worked as a medical transcriptionist for a few years when the children were sleeping. In 2013, the time was right for her to re-enter the workforce, so Donna joined Keystone Advertising in their billing department. She worked there for 9 years and liked the work, but as time went on, she was ready to try something different.

“Donna is new to the Intrada team but is not new to Intrada,” said David. “Donna comes to us with years of knowledge of who Intrada is and what Intrada does. She hit the ground running and brings a new level of encouragement to the team.”

The Move to Working with Her Spouse

When the administrative support position came open at Intrada, Donna knew she wanted to help the business out. She was a little reluctant to join Intrada at first because she was unsure how it would affect her and Paul’s marriage.

“It has really been working out,” Donna shared. “Paul is not a talkative person, so when he would come home from work, he didn’t really talk much about the business. Now, I have a better idea of what is happening and what he is going through. It has been really good.”

The move has strengthened their marriage as Donna and Paul continue to do what they have done well over the years – support and respect each other in their roles and relationship.

David Steele and Paul Boyer in their first office

Supporting Intrada’s Administrative Needs

Since joining Intrada, Donna has quickly learned internal systems and processes and has relieved burdens off of other staff members.

Donna is responsible for purchasing and receiving of software and hardware, assisting Project Manager James Haywood with quotes, scheduling of technicians on-site, and in-office administrative tasks. She often answers Intrada’s phones and assists Intrada clients with their needs.

Donna’s friendly, welcoming personality has complimented the office atmosphere. Her training and experience in education enable Donna to explain complicated things in a patient, easy-to-understand way. The billing department experience she obtained at Keystone Advertising has served her well as she navigates software, and does purchasing, receiving and management of products for Intrada clients.

Paul shared, “Donna has great customer service skills. She is doing a great job helping James with quoting and scheduling projects. There are a lot of balls in the air and Donna is juggling like an expert.”

Inside Perspective on Intrada’s Growth

As the wife of Intrada owner Paul Boyer, Donna has had the unique perspective of watching Intrada grow from up close over the past 22 years.

“In 2000, David and Paul began building Intrada. It was Paul’s baby and I just wanted to support him as he grew the business,” Donna said. “At the beginning, I was a stay-at-home mom to our two boys and though we have had a few ups and downs over the years, Paul and David have worked well together to bring the company to where it is today. I am so proud of how we have grown.”

Donna credits the success of Intrada as a business to Paul and David’s unique working relationship.

“It is impressive how Dave and Paul work together. They are totally different people, but they make it work,” laughed Donna. “They really compliment each other with different styles. Paul is introverted and prefers to stay in the office, where Dave is more of the extrovert and feels comfortable in large, public, group events.”

Donna shared that Intrada began in a small, one-room office on the 4th floor of a building in Williamsport, then grew to a house in town. Moving the business from the house in Williamsport to the new offices at Ashler Manor struck home with the owners and their families. They realized the business was really going somewhere.

“Never did we think – ever in our imaginations – that Intrada would grow at such a strong rate,” Donna smiled. “And now we are outgrowing the Ashler Manor location. It is really cool!”

Murphy Boyer, golden doodle

When asked her favorite thing about working at Intrada, Donna shared, “I really like the people [at Intrada]. Everyone is great. I also like what I am doing and I’m learning a lot. And I love that I can bring [our golden doodle puppy] Murphy to work.”

Insight into Donna Boyer

Besides being a needed and welcome addition to the Intrada team, Paul’s wife and a mother to their two sons, Donna also is a mother to a golden doodle named Murphy and two kitties. She enjoys a number of hobbies, like kayaking, hiking, swimming, crocheting, playing board games, puzzling and prolifically reading novels of all genres. 

Donna loves being outdoors, the changing of the seasons and the majestic beauty of Alaska.

She shared a fun fact about our quieter Intrada owner as well – he is famous! When he was young, Paul was in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest Monopoly game.

To welcome Donna or reach out to her with any questions, email dboyer@intradatech.com or call our offices at 800-858-5745.