25 Years of Liquid Web: Chris Hildenbrand

For 25 years, Liquid Web has strived to assist small businesses earn cash online. Join us in recognizing a few of the Most Helpful Humans in Hosting® who’ve helped us get to where we’re today.

Chris Hildenbrand says the world of tech was a really different place 15 years ago when he got his start. “The industry has expanded in incredible ways, which is obvious just by the products we provide now versus what we were offering then. For instance, once I began at Liquid Web, we offered three sorts of shared hosting: two VPS options and three dedicated. That has modified substantially, as have the specs on the servers we now offer,” he says. “One other easy-to-see difference was that once I began, everyone within the office had one CRT monitor to work with, and now most individuals have 2-3 or more LED monitors, which makes things much easier.”

Originally from Grand Ledge, Michigan, Hildenbrand’s first job was working for a sports card store in highschool as a part of an internship for a marketing class. He has lived within the Lansing area and Miami, Florida, but currently lives in Portland, Michigan.

Hildenbrand remembers his first day at Liquid Web in 2006 as overwhelming and exciting. “There was quite a bit to absorb and learn, but it surely was an awesome environment.” He remembers an unexpected perk of the early days—”There was once electric scooters that folks would ride after they needed to go from DC2 to DC1. They lasted just a few years and were fun to ride, but it surely was easier and just as fast to walk.”

He began his tenure at Liquid Web as a support tech. “That was really the one job on the time except for security and the people who handled networking,” he says. “Back then, being in support meant you’d handle regardless of the call or ticket needed, whether it was support for a dedicated, VPS, or shared customer, going back to the info center to restart a server, or answering questions on sales.”

After just a few years of working as a support tech, Hildenbrand began doing support chats. “On the time, I used to be the just one who did them for just a few months while it was being tested,” he says. “I then spent just a few years as a Support Supervisor before moving to be the Billing Supervisor. More teams were eventually added, after which I became the Account Services Manager, which is my current role.”

What Hildenbrand loves most about working in tech is the ever-changing landscape. “I like the constant changes and enhancements that occur over time,” he says. “It will probably be surprising when something latest comes out and makes improvements you didn’t even take into consideration that make using that product much easier.”

It’s this innovation and in addition the people who have kept him at Liquid Web for thus a few years. “I just like the constant changes and enhancements to our products. And I actually have at all times liked the people I work with, whether I interact with them each day or only see them in passing. The people I work with here have at all times been a drawing point.”

If his colleagues and their commitment to excellence have kept Hildenbrand at Liquid Web, what keeps him motivated yr after yr are the purchasers. “I at all times want to supply the very best technique of support for them whether within the Support department or assisting them with billing issues in Account Services.”

Hildenbrand says that the leadership team at Liquid Web has significantly influenced his profession journey. “Clinton Hansen and Brad Doutree, particularly, have at all times been very helpful within the roles I used to be in and in moving to latest roles.” He can also be happy with growing the Account Services department from two employees who worked Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm to the 18-person department it’s now, with employees working 24/7 across each Liquid Web and Nexcess.

Because of his quite a few years at Liquid Web, Hildenbrand has many great memories of his time with the corporate. “The boat parties that we used to have every summer were at all times memorable,” he says. “The funniest office memory was probably when maintenance walled off someone’s office door while he was on vacation. He got here back, and the door was just gone and covered with drywall.”

Apart from his work with Liquid Web, Hildenbrand has spent the last twenty years as a DJ working in clubs in Lansing and Detroit. He enjoys spending time along with his wife and dealing across the house or in his garden. And though he’s primarily a distant employee, Hildenbrand says he’s having fun with spending his days along with his latest coworkers: two dogs, two cats, and, now and again, his granddaughter.

Hildenbrand is happy in regards to the way forward for Liquid Web. “I look ahead to the continued growth and to the brand new services we can have to supply.”

The Liquid Web Family of Brands has delivered software, solutions, and managed services for mission-critical sites, stores, and applications to SMBs and the designers, developers, and agencies who create for them for the last 25 years. Our world-class team of industry experts provides outstanding support and assistance 24/7/365.

Join us in celebrating 25 years of helping businesses grow with many more years to come back!