Celebrating milestones within our team is always a highlight, and today, we’re excited to honor Hallie Schreiner, who’s been an integral part of Performance Software for over 20 years. From her early days as an individual contributor to her current role leading complex projects, Hallie’s journey reflects the evolution of our company, the relationships we’ve built with our clients, and her own professional growth. In this interview, she shares insights from her impressive career and her reflections on the changes she’s seen in the industry and at Performance Software.
What initially attracted you to join Performance, and how has your perception of it evolved over the past 20+ years?
I had a good friend, Shawn Brownlee, who had started working here, and she really liked it. I had been working as a contractor at another aerospace company and was looking for something more stable. Performance has changed so much over these 20 years. In the early years, we would often have short projects and might be working multiple projects at a time. Now, many of our projects are multi-year support for the same customer. We build strong relationships with our customers, and they want to continue working with us.
What roles have you held at Performance?
I started as a software engineer but a lot of my time here has been spent as a Project Lead. Almost all the projects I’ve worked have been related to Flight Management Systems (FMS) for various major tier-1 Aerospace suppliers.
Reflecting on your journey with us, what are some key milestones or memorable moments that stand out to you?
It’s always easiest to remember the recent stuff! So most recently, we had over 50 engineers working on a FMS program for a major tier-1 supplier. Performance was a huge part of the program and our contributions were valued. Another memorable project was getting to help with some of the FMS architecture when a customer was designing their Next Gen FMS solution.
A personal milestone for me was when I switched from being an individual contributor to being a Project Lead (PL). As a young engineer, I never thought I’d want the PL role. But once I moved into it, I realized that I really liked organizing the work to meet schedules and helping the team with roadblocks, as well as communicating with the customer.
Can you share some lessons or insights you’ve gained from your experiences here over the past 20+ years?
I really like working at a smaller company like Performance! I like that the work that I do has a direct input on our bottom line. It’s hard to see that in a big corporation. I also appreciate working at a “people-first” company.
What aspects of your role do you find most fulfilling?
I’m a people pleaser, so working for a company that provides services is a good fit for me! I enjoy working with customers and making sure that they are satisfied with the work that we do. I also like managing teams and trying to find ways to do our work more efficiently.
From a technical point of view, I have enjoyed working on so many different programs. At bigger companies, employees often end up working on the same small piece of software for a long time. It was interesting to have the opportunity to learn so many different systems.
What advice would you offer to new employees based on your extensive experience and knowledge of our company?
I often tell my team that change is hard. But it’s also a common occurrence in our industry. Embrace challenges and stay positive. Adaptability is a key trait that will make you an asset to the team. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. It shows that you care about learning and doing things right.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations or goals for the future, both personally and professionally?
My personal goal for the future is to retire in the next year or so! Professionally, I plan to continue to contribute to whatever program I am on.
Finally, what does reaching this milestone mean to you, and how do you plan to celebrate this achievement?
20 years is a long time! It might mean I’m old? LOL! I do enjoy looking back at all of the programs that I have worked on in my time here. To celebrate this milestone, my husband and I are going to go on a river cruise through the Bordeaux Wine region in France courtesy of my Performance Software 20-year travel award!
As she nears her well-deserved retirement, we can’t help but feel proud of the incredible impact she’s had, not only on the projects she’s worked on but also on the people she’s mentored along the way. Please join us in congratulating Hallie on her 20-year milestone. We’re grateful for her leadership and contributions—and we can’t wait to see her enjoy her next adventure!
Interested in exploring a career at Performance? Learn more here.
