Connect Series: Meet Zach Bragg, Our Virtual Proceedings Coordinator!
One of the newest members of the Reportex family is Zach Bragg. Zach serves as our virtual proceedings coordinator and works out of our Island by Reportex office.
Zach grew up in Oakville, Ontario, and graduated from Queen’s University with a degree in English language and literature. In 2010 he made a move west to Banff, Alberta, where he began working at the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. In six years Zach worked within the hotel in a variety of different capacities and studied at the University of Calgary. It was 2016 when Zach transferred to the Fairmont Empress hotel in Victoria and fell in love with everything that Victoria and the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Zach is an avid hockey player and fan. He also loves reading, golfing and hiking. On most days, though, you can find Zach spending time with his family.
We recently asked Zach a few questions. Here’s what he had to say:
You are relatively new to the Reportex family. How are you finding things so far? Is there something you like best?
From the very first day I started I have really been impressed by how positive things are at Reportex. There is great culture and energy here, and that has really allowed me to have the confidence to hit the ground running. I have only been here for about one month, but it feels much longer than that (in a good way!). I find the work very interesting, and I look forward to learning new things and developing new skills every day, but my favourite thing is definitely the people. Despite the fact that I haven’t met most people in person, I have felt very welcomed and comfortable with everyone. A big thank you to everyone for the warm welcome!
What are your top three favourite things to do in Victoria?
- Taking beach walks alongside the ocean with my wife and two-year-old son, Bruce. I grew up in Ontario, so the ability to live near and walk alongside the ocean is just the best.
- Reading a Stephen King book in any of the awesome cafes and bakeries in Victoria.
- Not Victoria-specific, but I love playing in my hockey league every week.
At Reportex our core values of team, mentorship, equality, community and industry are central to what we do. Which of these values resonates most strongly with you and why?
Jacques Plante, the legendary Montreal Canadiens goalie, once said this in an interview:
“How would you like a job where, every time you make a mistake, a big red light goes on and 18,000 people boo?”
I like to think that Jacques never would have won six Stanley Cups and changed the game of hockey forever without the support and trust of his team. The one core value that resonates most strongly with me is team. I think that the idea of fostering a positive team dynamic is essential to the foundation of a thriving business. I think that the word “team” can also be used as an umbrella term for communication, support and accountability. I grew up playing a variety of competitive sports, and I know how essential a healthy and positive team dynamic can be to personal and collective success. Functioning as a team and collaborating and connecting is especially important in such an uncertain and physically distant time.
You are offered a plate of sushi or a plate of tacos. Which do you take?
I love this question. Definitely tacos. I love tacos. Lots of sour cream.
What is the single best day on the calendar?
My son’s birthday. He turns three in February. The excitement he has to blow out birthday candles on the cake is just unbelievable — so much so that we have to have practice birthday parties throughout the year just so he can practice blowing the candles out. So there is obviously a lot of anticipation for the actual day. He is slightly interested in the presents, but it really is all about the candles!
