Nate Green has been with Extra Space Storage since 2018. As Director of Software Engineering, Green is responsible for solution architecture, web development processes, software quality, and working closely with the Marketing and Customer Acquisition teams to update the self storage company’s website.
We recently sat down with Green for a Q&A to discover more about his web development work at Extra Space Storage and the most successful moments of his career.
Q: How did your career path lead you to Extra Space Storage?
A: I’ve been involved in software engineering since the early 2000s, having worked for big companies like Zions Bank and Intermountain Healthcare and doing consulting on the side. My path to Extra Space Storage began in early 2018. Changes in IT leadership and a deteriorating work culture with my previous company led me to look for new opportunities. I was fortunate to come across a job opportunity in May 2018 at Extra Space Storage and decided to go for it. The rest is history!
Q: What is the best advice you’ve received in your career?
A: Over the years, I’ve been told things like “go with your gut” and “take blame but share credit.” Both are good pieces of advice. The best advice I’ve received the past couple of years was to “come work at Extra Space Storage.”
Q: Which experience(s) in your career influenced who you are today?
A: Some of the most impactful experiences I’ve had were interactions with great leaders. I’ve been fortunate to have bosses who were influential, smart, and driven, but still able to be laid-back and make work a fun place to be. I’ve tried to emulate these amazing men and women throughout my career.
Q: What has been the most challenging aspect of your career?
A: The most challenging aspects of my career have always revolved around large technical challenges without a clear path forward. Working with a smart, motivated team to come up with a path forward gives me a lot of satisfaction.
Q: What has been the most fulfilling aspect of your career?
A: As mentioned above, I love to share the success of those I work with. It’s motivating to see people grow and become influential throughout an organization.
Q: Describe your most successful endeavor with Extra Space Storage.
A: I can’t speak to this without mentioning the most unsuccessful endeavor I was involved with—Hat Trick. In mid-2018, we made the decision to scrap much of that project and undertake a new project called Phoenix. In my opinion, this has already proven successful—not due to expected business value delivery, but because of the strength of the people here. Pulling the plug on Hat Trick was a tough choice to make, but it showed me that we have a very supportive and understanding leadership team. It also proved how the company listens to smart people with great ideas.
Q: What advice would you give to future Extra Space Storage leaders?
A: Hire smart people that fit with our culture, listen to their ideas, and trust them.
This article is part of an ongoing series of interviews with Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) team members. Nate Green is the Director of Software Engineering at Extra Space Storage.
