River City Six – Greg Rogers
Meet Greg Rogers, the accessibility testing manager for Outlook Business Solutions (www.outlookbusinesssolutions.com).
Tell us a little about your business.
Outlook Business Solutions provides marketing, customer care, and accessibility testing services to businesses. Our mission is to create an inclusive and integrated environment populated with talented professionals with consideration and accommodations for those who are blind or low vision. About half of our team members live with vision loss. Businesses can be successful and socially responsible by outsourcing accessibility testing, marketing, and customer care projects to Outlook Business Solutions.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
One of the biggest challenges I face is that most companies are either not aware of the need for accessibility of their digital content or they believe that an automated solution can resolve all issues. However, manual examination will provide them a true understanding of the experience of their applications and websites.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
I have had the privilege of working for large and small organizations in the public and private sectors. At various points of my career, I helped bring products to market to benefit individuals of all abilities. I also assisted with testing of hardware, software/applications, and websites for accessibility issues. Finally, I had the opportunity to mentor a coworker who ended up with physical challenges later in life.
Tell us a little about your family.
I was raised by wonderful parents and have two beautiful sisters, one is a professor at a local college and the other does graphic design and coaches dance/gymnastics.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
I enjoy the company of family and friends. I am also a sports, technology, and music enthusiast.
Who inspires you?
There is a friend who I attend church with every Sunday. This person is a faithful Catholic and puts family first. I admire their ability to lead and positive attitude in times of joy and when they face unexpected challenges.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Genuine.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?
Music. I started playing the piano at age five and earned a college scholarship while doing so. I also played the cello through the beginning of my college years.
Which talent would you most like to have?
I wish I were a more fluent speaker. I find myself over thinking and looking for the right words. My delivery is generally not as smooth as I would like it to be.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
I think voice acting is something I could have done reasonably well, with lots of refinement, of course. I have always envied announcers in professional sports settings. That is such a neat role.
What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
I volunteered at a Catholic organization called Alexandra’s house in KC. Their mission was to support families with infants with limited life spans and provide essential services while helping them through their time of need.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Beacon Hills is very nice. They have quality food and excellent service.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
(402) 616-1746; www.outlookbusinesssolutions.com.