ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.––PSCU’s employees are rockin’. Literally.
The company has several bands that are part of its “Rockovate” program.
That program grew out of a collaboration between Myles Bristowe, VP of marketing strategy for PSCU, and Tim Bogardus, VP of creative services for the company.
“Our executive team saw it as a great innovation exercise and readily agreed to support the program,” said Lynn Heckler, EVP talent at PSCU, in a statement. “It wasn't until our first concert that we realized it was the most organic and incredible exercise in diversity and inclusion we had experienced at PSCU.”
Rockovate uses the tagline “Band Together” and blends rock music and innovation, all in the spirit of team building and diversity and inclusion. The program also provides a platform to raise funds for Junior Achievement via donations and raffles held at the bands’ performances both on and off the PSCU campus locations.
According to PSCU, the opportunity to play in a PSCU Rockovate band is open to all employees, no matter the experience or skill level. The program is supported by PSCU’s executive team and funded through a budget that enables the purchase of audio equipment – amplifiers, PA system and microphones – which both bands share.
“It’s amazing what people can achieve when you give them a chance to be part of a team, which is exactly what a band is,” said Bristowe. “Being in a band means many things to its members. Mostly, these folks just want to have the opportunity to play, get better and show what they can do. We’re proud of our bands and the Rockovate program that attracted people who might otherwise never have gotten the chance to meet each other, let alone play together and become friends.”
PSCU’s Rockovate bands, comprised of coworkers from 18 departments, play hits from bands such as Linkin Park, U2, Bruno Mars, Joe Cocker, Tina Turner, En Vogue, Four Non-Blondes, KT Tunstall, Credence Clearwater Revival, The Eagles, Marshall Tucker band, Black Crows, Bad Company, Evanescence and Guns n’ Roses. And they’re learning new tunes every day.
The bands are going to be busy in the next few weeks. Both bands just played at St. Petersburg’s renowned Ringside Café in front of over 100 cheering co-workers, friends and family members, and helped to raise over $500 for Junior Achievement in the process. The bands are also set to play during PSCU’s annual Chili Cook-Off event for employees at the company’s St. Petersburg location during SQLSaturday, which is a training event for SQL server professionals.