Mohammad Aminlari
29
Senior Business Systems Analyst, HD Supply Power Solutions
By Joe Nowlan
As part of a typical workday as a senior business systems analyst for HD Supply Power Solutions, Mohammad “Moe” Aminlari embraces flexibility—and he would not have it any other way.
While some might be initially tempted to classify Moe as “an IT guy,” his job description is more multifaceted. Typical IT work hardly describes the duties he performs.
“The primary goal of the systems analyst is to learn new technologies…and figure out ways to implement them either internally or as part of an integration with the vendor or the customer,” the 29 year-old Aminlari said. “And, we strive to devise different types of solutions [to] try to help the vendor do business more easily with us or make it easier for the customer to do business with us.”
Aminlari began his introduction to the electrical industry as part of an internship in the corporate IT department at HD Supply while attending the University of Central Florida. He graduated in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems.
“As my internship was ending, there was a position opening as an analyst within the power solutions business,” he said. “I applied for it and got it.”
Aminlari was born in Shiraz, Iran, and came to Florida with his family when he was an infant. He lived most of his life in South Florida but moved to Orlando to attend UCF, “and I’ve never left.”
He frequently praises his team. It is a spirit and teamwork that was needed last year when two separate internal HD supply businesses were merged—a challenging technological task.
“We all really embraced it. We have a really good relationship with each other…that made the transition pretty easy,” Aminlari said. “We knew the right questions to ask. We knew the right people with whom to talk. So, it was a seamless project to undertake.”
Aminlari occasionally has to contribute a certain perspective when a new technology comes along that may initially be greeted with great excitement and anticipation.
“People sometimes will see or hear about something new and they get excited and want to implement it right away,” he explained. “So, the first thing we would need to do is check to see if we already have that capability [in-house]…If we don’t, then you sit down and perhaps talk it out to see what the benefits are.”
As part of his community commitment, Aminlari volunteers with different organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the Orlando-area Ronald McDonald House.
Within his company, he serves as a Wellness Champion who lives a healthy lifestyle as part of the Thrive Across America.
“That is an effort that gets a large group of people on the same path as far as exercising,” he said. “Here at HD, we have our own team. The thought behind it basically is you join a team and you see everybody’s progress as they exercise. It’s motivation for you to do the same thing. I used to be a pretty heavy guy and lost about 50 pounds at one point in my life. Therefore, I’m very serious about that now.”
Q. What advice would you have for other young professionals in the industry?
A. Learn as much as you can. Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one aspect of the industry. Go out there and take in as much knowledge as possible and talk to the right people. Get your name out there. I never said “no” to anything. If someone came to me and said, “I need you to do this,” I said, “yes.”
Q.Why do you consider community involvement to be such an important part of a company’s mission?
A. I think being an engaged corporate citizen is very important as a part of a company’s mission to give back to the community. I came from a large extended family where we all grew up together. We were always around and would do things for each other. That sense of family and taking care of each other has always resonated with me. It just feels right to me. It’s not hard to take a day every few months to go out there and help. It is always appreciated.
Joe Nowlan is a Boston-based freelance writer/editor and author. He can be reached at jcnowlan@msn.com.
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