At Walker Tracker, we believe in offering first class support service. We respond promptly to customer inquiries – we’re friendly, enthusiastic, and accessible. Customer Success Manager Graham Adams embodies these adjectives, both in work and life, and is a part of why our customer service is among the best.
Say hello to Graham!
Graham Adams is recognized within the Walker Tracker community for kindness, warmth, and congeniality. He bonds with colleagues, coworkers, and customers alike, creating fast friendships that feel long term. These skills were honed in early childhood. Born in Alexandria, VA, he moved around quite a bit as a kid because his parents worked for the National Park Service. “I was the shy, pretty passive kiddo, real in tune with my emotions, so moving around, losing friends was hard, but making friends was easy. I had to get out and make friends over and over again, which was awesome.”
The family lived in Maryland, South Dakota, and Alaska, then settled down in rural northern Wisconsin before Graham’s teenage years. He went on to graduate from high school, then attend the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he earned a degree in Communication. He began his career in the hospitality industry before moving to Portland to help a friend grow their carbon fiber bike company. “I’d come out here to visit and one time I rode my bike from Portland to San Francisco in nine days to get a feeling of the West coast. It was really fun the first couple of days. I had a really good time camping and riding my bike. I went mountain biking on Mt. St. Helens and after that I was sold on the West coast.”
I lean on my strengths, being patient, being kind, trying to connect with people and letting that drive my career. Teaching people how to be kind to themselves while trying to do better is a really fun practice. I’m happy that I get to do that.
After taking an extended leave of absence for the birth of his child, Graham discovered Walker Tracker online, and the rest is history. “I saw the posting for Walker Tracker, and I was like ‘this is the fit.’ I want to do something new, I want to be inspired in what I do, but also bring my strengths to the table. I want to help people stay motivated to get out and move around.” Now a year into his role, Walker Tracker has surpassed his expectations. “Right away I learned a ton. It is really cool to have a job that I like, that supports a work life balance, it’s something I’ve never experienced before.”
Graham’s kind and warm hearted approach has won many friends and supporters over the course of his career. There is a reason he’s won several prestigious employee awards. “I lean on my strengths, being patient, being kind, trying to connect with people and letting that drive my career. Teaching people how to be kind to themselves while trying to do better is a really fun practice. I’m happy that I get to do that.”
We had a chance to ask Graham some fun questions. Check out the responses!
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when I say “Fenna,” the name of your daughter?
Just pure joy. That is the other half of learning how to be patient and kind – just have a three year old. That is one very great way of learning patience and learning love. She rules. Hanging out with her, making sure she’s happy , and teaching her how to be patient and kind and live in the world is really fun, really nice.
What is the last book you read?
Last book I read is End of Policing, a framework discussion about having a safer and more just world. I also really enjoyed Blindness, a book by a Portuguese author, about how we would respond during a global pandemic that I read a couple of years ago, before I knew a global pandemic would happen. It was a very good read. I am trying to read stuff that isn’t in my own voice. Black Leopard, Red Wolf is next on my queue.
What things do you like to do to stay physically active?
I love riding my bike. I got a nice cargo bike so I can cruise around with Fenna. I also like to run around at the park. Trying different things to see what things stick with Fenna. Lots of chasing a young’n around.
What are three things on your bucket list.
I want to be more spontaneous with travel. Right now I have a friend living in Beijing so I want to make that trip. I hope to make it to every single national park. I made it to a lot of them as part of my upbringing, but I am excited to share that feeling, especially with Fenna, that would be super fun. Also, there are a couple of bike rides that I want to do. From Portland down to San Francisco was really fun, I’d like to ride the The Oregon Timber Trail, or the Oregon Outback. Both are off road, mountain biking, bike touring trails. It would be a fun challenge.
What’s been your favorite place to travel to?
When I was in 5th grade, I went to England with my mom. I was huge into Arthurian legend. We went down to Cornwall to visit Tintagel Island, a small town on the coast. We stayed in a little bed and breakfast and chatted with a ton of people from all over the world.
I enjoyed living in Alaska, from 1st through 4th grade. I remember those summers outside in 1st grade, and playing outside until 11 at night. I was in soccer leagues and we’d have soccer practice until 11 at night because it was still light outside. Lots of fun memories, and it was very pretty.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you’d do with the money?
I’d buy a plot of land within two hours of Portland that I could just go tromp around on. To own a little plot land, get in the car at 5 pm on a Friday and know that when I get there that the spot is available and I can go and chop wood, dink around or do whatever people do whenever they have their plot of land.
Could you share a fun fact about yourself?
In 2009, I was the hotel employee of the year for the American Hospitality and Lodging Association.