Company & Culture

Watch Out, Dr. Hawking! Here Comes Ed, AppDirect Sales Engineer

By Gretchen Dukowitz / August 23, 2015

Here’s another post in our new blog series that features the stories of our talented team members from around the world. Learn about what they do, why they like working at AppDirect, and other unique details that make them who they are.

Ed Gower, Director, Sales Engineering
Ed has been with AppDirect since January 2015.

Ed, tell us—what exactly does a sales engineer do?

Sales engineers work with new and existing customers during the sales process. We primarily focus on gathering and understanding the business drivers and associated technical requirements that our customers have. This knowledge is then used to design and demonstrate a compelling solution. We also help drive the product roadmap and support the team with product training.

What draws you to this type of work?

I've worked in purely technical and business roles and enjoyed them both tremendously. The sales engineer role combines both of these and is the perfect job me. I love understanding the business drivers that our technology can help our customers realize and helping to drive our technology forward.

How did you hear about AppDirect, and why did you decide to join?

I heard about the company from a friend. We used to work together a few years ago, and he called me to tell me about the role. After meeting the team I was sold. The quality of AppDirect’s technology and the size of the market opportunity were also massive factors, but the people were a real differentiator. The rest is history.

Let’s talk about what you like to do outside of work. What’s been your favorite trip you’ve taken?

My wife and I went to Peru for our 10th wedding anniversary. We visited Lima, Cusco, the Urubamba Valley and, of course, Machu Picchu. That was a great trip, but seeing Yosemite for the first time was also amazing.

And, just for fun, what’s a crazy memory you have about growing up?

I almost mowed down Stephen Hawking with my car. I was driving probably a little too fast around a bend in the road, and he was crossing that same street just past the bend. I’m relieved that nothing serious actually happened, but I am disappointed that the scene didn't make it into The Theory of Everything.