Discover CT: Sergey Selivanov

The Customertimes team is known for its depth of experience and hands-on implementations for some of the largest corporations in the world.

But our team members are experts at more than just technology. They have skills that go beyond the scope of their work with Customertimes, so we’re highlighting them in the Discover CT series.

Sergey Selivanov is a Brooklyn, NY-based Salesforce Consultant who also happens to be a professional water skier and local DJ. Find out how his creative interests help him deliver out-of-the-box technical solutions for his clients.

Customertimes: Tell me about your experience as a competitive water skier. How did you get started?

Sergey Selivanov: I’ve always been part of the waterskiing world. My mother was part of the Soviet Union waterskiing team. She was the 1978 European Champion and has multiple other waterskiing titles as well. After her competitive career, she coached several other champions, so most of my childhood was spent near lakes, boats, and athletes. It was only natural that I wanted to try it also!

At the beginning, I was skiing for fun, but I asked to join a competition and the results were quite good. After that, I began to ski and compete regularly, and I finished on the podium many times!

CT: What do you love about waterskiing?

SS: It’s the kind of sport that keeps you outside and near the water. It also involves a lot of technology: skis, boats, automations, etc, and if you train regularly, you will be very fit! Also, you have a chance to meet lots of different people from other countries, and you get to travel often. I actually learned Italian and became a much better English speaker as a result of my waterskiing career.

CT: We understand you’re also an international waterskiing judge. What does it take to judge at such a high level?

SS: From the time I was a kid, I’ve enjoyed working with the computers, cameras, and equipment at the competitions. I always tried to help with the equipment in the judging tower, and as a result, I learned the judging process. I started helping the scorers and soon I became a scorer assistant.

I was promoted to national-level scorer, and in 2007 I took an exam to become an international scorer. After I passed, I was eligible to be a scorer for competition at any level around the world. I worked at World Cups, World Championships, and international competitions in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Poland, China, and the USA. To maintain my credentials, I have to judge at least two competitions a year. I love it because it requires a lot of concentration and organization, and you have to be ready to communicate with many different people in high-pressure situations.

CT: Do you have a favorite memory from a competition?

SS: One of my favorite memories is making it to the finals at a big international competition. I wasn’t expecting to get so far, but that day I achieved my personal best.

CT: How did you get started as a DJ?

SS: By accident! At university, I worked as a sound engineer. At some point, someone decided to host a dance party after one of the concerts. The guy who was invited to DJ ruined the sound equipment, so the manager told me I’d be responsible for DJing from then on.

I learned how to DJ from some books, videos, and a friend who taught me how to mix. Here in the US, I DJ at local clubs and private events. Most of them are close, but I’ve also driven a few hundred miles to DJ when I’ve been invited!

CT: What’s the best part of being a DJ?

SS: It’s just fun! I don’t even consider it work. I love the technical part of it – the music, equipment, and software – and I also like the social part of it. The DJ is in control of the party and people’s moods, and it gives me a great opportunity to meet new people and make useful contacts. Now that social activities are starting to come back [after the lockdowns], people are hungry for parties. Local regulations make everything quite limited, but I’m still able to DJ about once a week.

CT: What do you do at CT?

SS: I’m a Salesforce Consultant located in Brooklyn, NY. I provide 3rd line technical support to one of our clients on a full-time basis. I solve technical issues and help the customer with any of their day-to-day needs.

CT: How do waterskiing and being a DJ help with that?

SS: I’ve developed strong communication and problem-solving skills. As a DJ and as a competitive athlete, you have to work under pressure around people who can be quite nervous and excited.

Sometimes in my work with CT, I’m faced with a technical issue or use case that requires me to think outside of the standard solutions. I’m forced to invent new ways to solve problems, and my experiences in life have taught me to view those problems from a wide angle and look for innovative solutions.

CT: Do you have any other creative interests?

SS: Quite a few! Some of my other hobbies include snowboarding, inline skating, paintball, airsoft, and I often participate in military simulation events. I’m also an avid photographer and videographer.

Customertimes is growing rapidly at our offices around the world. If you’d like to work with our dynamic, talented team, check out the Customertimes Careers page, and join a company that’s known for unparalleled service and expertise.