If there’s a theme that’s been persistent throughout Bythia’s career, personal life, and wellbeing, it’s having fun.
Her first job? The infamous Joyland Amusement Park in Wichita, Kan. “I had a blast,” states Bythia. “I ran the games and some of the smaller rides. Several of my friends worked there, and it was a fun first job. It didn’t pay much, but I was young, having fun.”
As High Touch’s Service Delivery Coordinator Lead, she’s able to keep the fun going, even on high-stress days. “I enjoy the billing and invoicing part of my job and working with the engineers — especially the fun jokes they share with me while working. It really breaks up the day.”
“Technology Chose Me”
For many years, Bythia worked for AT&T. After briefly retiring, she found a career in IT as an Office Manager/Planner. Now, at High Touch, Bythia leads the Service Delivery Coordination team for our Managed Services Help Desk/Support Center.
“I schedule out engineers by calling and coordinating with clients to resolve their repair, install, and configuration tickets, and I have two fantastic people on my team,” states Bythia. “I love being able to help when needed—it’s a very demanding, high-speed-detailed department.”
Bythia has the pleasure of getting to know High Touch’s clients directly, exhibiting the company’s core values, and truly bringing the human touch to technology. “When scheduling engineers for our clients, I believe each customer plays a part in the success of our company. To do that, we have to show we care and mean it by making sure they get what they’re paying for. Automated systems can’t always do that—we help provide the human touch.”
Fun and Family
Outside of work, Bythia enjoys having fun and spending time with her family. “I have three daughters and three red-headed grandbabies — I’ve also picked up three great sons-in-law along the way. I am a very lucky lady.”
While spending time with her family, she enjoys playing tricks on her husband. “I think it’s fun to put on brightly colored clothes that don’t match over a weekend and then go in the car and wait for my husband to get in. It’ll take a few minutes, and he’ll say, ‘You are not going out like that, are you?’ I always say yes, lol.”
In the past, Bythia volunteered her time as a Girl Scout leader. “They all graduated a couple of years ago, “ states Bythia. I am always willing to lend a hand anywhere I am needed, but after all those years with a bunch of girls, I’m no longer dedicated to just one thing. I just help wherever I hear help is needed.
20 Things You Might Not Know About Bythia Tennyson
Do you think the hot-dog-sandwich debate would come up while having dinner with Betty White? As part of our Employee Spotlight interview, we ask a series of lighthearted questions to highlight the unique, diverse personalities that make our High Touch team great.
1. If you could move to any other High Touch market, which one would you choose?
Corpus Christi. I have dreamed of living on the ocean in a little beachfront house, relaxing after a day of work, and listening to the waves. When the hurricanes come in, I will take that little cabin in the mountains in Colorado, then return to the beach.
2. If you could jump into a pool of anything of your choosing, what would you fill it with?
Chocolate. I love chocolate.
3. What’s one quirky thing people don’t know about you?
I think it’s fun to put on bright-colored clothes that don’t’ match over a weekend and then get in the car and wait for my husband. It will take a few minutes, and he’ll say, “You are not going out like that, are you?” I always say yes, lol.
4. Is a hot dog a sandwich?
I believe a hot dog would definitely be considered a sandwich. A dog in between two pieces of bread. Same as bologna between two pieces of bread. Yep, it’s a sandwich.
5. Who or where would you haunt if you were a ghost?
I would want to follow my children and grandchildren around and watch them grow.
6. What was your first job?
It was at Joyland Amusement Park in Wichita, KS. I had a blast running the games and some of the smaller rides. Several of my friends worked there, and it was a fun first job. It didn’t pay much, but I was young and having fun.
7. Does a cyclops wink or blink?
Um. Lol. If you think about it, I guess they blink. They only have one eye. To wink, don’t you need two of them? Yep, blink.
8. What’s something you wish you could automate?
Making my bed in the morning. I hate making my bed. I wish I could put a button on it, and it would automatically do it for me.
9. What’s your favorite mobile app or website?
I love Pinterest and playing HayDay.
10. Which famous person would you have dinner with and why?
Betty White. She was a person who didn’t put herself on a pedestal but instead was interested in meeting new people and loved to talk and listen. She was funny and full of adventure but perfected her profession to the end—so many historical stories to enjoy listening to. I could sit for hours and listen to her. What a beautiful person inside and out.
11. Do you have any pets or kids?
My beautiful bichon just passed away from old age after 16 years. I do have three daughters and three red-headed grandbabies. Along the way, I have picked up three great sons-in-law. I am a very lucky lady.
12. Do you do any volunteer or community involvement work?
I spent years and years as a Girl Scout leader. They all graduated a couple of years ago. I am always willing to lend a hand anywhere I am needed, but after all those years with a bunch of girls, I’m no longer dedicated to just one thing. Just help wherever I hear help is needed.
13. What’s the most awkward thing you do on a regular basis?
Every time it rains, I sit under an umbrella, close my eyes, and listen to the rain hit the umbrella. Yes, even when it is pouring. I hate it when there is thunder and lightning — it messes up my time of serenity not being able to sit under that umbrella.
14. What’s your spirit animal, and why?
I have taken this test a while back. My spirit animal is a deer, and it seems as if I find one quite often. It matches me perfectly — highly sensitive but has a strong intuition. I am both determined and gentle in my approach. I am vigilant, move quickly, and trust my instincts. I have the power to deal with challenges with grace.
15. If you could breed two different animals together, which two would you pick, and what would you call the new lifeform you’ve created?
I love pandas and black bears, so we will just go with a black panda bear.
16. Would you rather go 30 days without your phone, or three months with no dessert?
I can do without dessert. I am diabetic, so I don’t eat many sweets, but I would miss playing HayDay on my phone.
17. Do you have any superstitions?
I will walk away from a black cat and won’t cross its path. When walking on a crosswalk, I think back to my childhood—don’t step on the crack! Silly, I know.
18. What’s something you always do wrong the first time?
Sign in to my computer. I am always in a hurry and mess it up the first time, every time.
19. If you had a warning label, what would it say?
Patience of a saint, unless you push too far. Then, her red hair starts to boil, and she blows.
20. You’ve been given an elephant. You can’t give it away or sell it. What would you do with the elephant?
Create a habitat in my backyard and sell tickets to come to visit my elephant, that way, I could afford to feed it.
Bringing the Human Touch to Technology.
Thank you, Bythia, for everything you do for High Touch!