Meet Updater: Leon Hall, Software Engineer
Meet Leon Hall, software engineer, and one of Updater’s resident Canadians. When Leon isn’t riding his motorcycle (yes, he rides it to work when it’s not snowing) he’s probably learning a new code language or test driving the newest Thai restaurant. Leon joined the team back in 2013 —check out what he’s been up to:
Do you have a moving horror story?
Yes, we packed up our entire apartment into a U-Haul the evening before our move. The next day, we found out that the apartment we were going to move into wasn’t ready yet, as it was new construction. We had to decide whether we wanted to live out of that truck for a couple days or resign a new one-year lease to our existing place. So, we signed the lease to our existing place and had to move everything again.
You’re about to move, again. What will you never do again?
Pack and move everything myself.
What’s the largest item you’ve ever had to carry on the subway?
A snowboard.
What’s your best piece of moving advice?
Double-check and then triple-check to make sure that the place you are moving into is ready for both you and your belongings.
How many times have you moved?
About a dozen times.
What’s your favorite thing about working at Updater?
Unlimited PTO and the ability to work remotely if/when needed. We work hard, but we remain flexible.
What’s your favorite Updater feature? Why?
Our integrations platform, and how easy it is for us to quickly add new integrations to our clients’ transaction management systems.
What do you see as the biggest industry problem?
Until Updater came along, it was difficult for all parties involved in a move to communicate with one another.
What’s the best part about working on a small team?
You’re forced to stay lean and mean. To be nimble and react quickly. And, you have the ability to do so without a bunch of red tape and bureaucracy.
What motivates you to come to work every day?
The team and the environment we have here at Updater – it’s like coming to a party where you work hard and get sh*t done.
It’s the zombie apocalypse. Where do you hide?
Head back to Canada, where I’m from. The zombies will be nicer there.
Whom do you admire most as a business leader?
Elon Musk.
What’s the first app you check in the morning?
Weather.
You have a time machine, but you can only make one trip. Where do you go?
The future.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Chickenhead by Three 6 Mafia.
If you were a food, what kind would you be? Why?
Thai food. Just because I could eat Thai for every meal of the day.
What do you do to unwind?
Travel and hike.
What’s your favorite fast food restaurant?
Steamrollers, might be Canadian 😉
If you could travel to work every day on a vehicle without wheels (think: hovercraft, broom), what would you choose?
Teleportation.
What are four things you can’t live without?
The gym, my motorcycle, a comfortable living space, and money.
What’s your favorite Saturday Night Live skit?
Where did you grow up?
Saskatoon SK, Canada until I was 13 and then we moved to Vancouver Island where I lived until after university. Then, I moved to Vancouver, BC. Then, to NYC.
What are two personal tidbits about you?
I love riding sports-bikes and I can’t live without a gym.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Professional Skateboarder.
More Updater Life
Changes to Updater’s team
16 August 2022
Updater raises $215M to accelerate product, design, data, and engineering
19 May 2022
