April 2026 Employees of the Month
Published: May 20, 2026
Updated: May 20, 2026
Every month, the employees at Strategic Communications are given the opportunity to acknowledge exemplary colleagues within or outside their department. Three individuals were chosen by their coworkers for their commitment to customer service, perseverance in the face of challenges, and can-do attitudes!
Steve Price
Director of Customer Success
- When did you start working for Strategic Communications?
January 2022 - What was your background prior to working for Strategic Communications?
I have a diverse technology background with a focus on Software, ITSM, and Cloud Consulting. I also hold 2 degrees from the University of Richmond: Spanish and International Studies. - What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding or fulfilling?
Though I spent the first few years with Strategic as an Individual Contributor, I am really enjoying developing and managing our Customer Success Team. I am blessed to have 3 (soon to be more) All-Stars to work with. - What is the best career lesson you've learned so far?
If a process for something does not exist, create one. If you don’t know something, ask. 😊 - Outside of work, what are you passionate about/enjoy doing?
Great time for this question. All the kids are home from college and over the next few months will look to maximize time spent with them on the golf course, tennis court, and at the beach!! - What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
Not sure if I really want to share this with the world, but my oldest daughter has gotten me to watch “Real Housewives of New Jersey” with her. - What is something that people may not know about you?
I will give you two: I sang in a friend’s bar band in the 90’s, and during the pandemic, I did voiceover work for a Mexican IT Company.
Braeden Veasey
Sales Admin
- When did you start working for Strategic Communications?
I’m coming up on my 2 year anniversary in a few weeks now! - What was your background prior to working for Strategic Communications?
Starting here was a pretty big career shift for me. Before I got here, I worked in a bakery as a cake decorator for almost 10 years. I’m very happy with the career change, I still love to bake but I definitely enjoy it more now that I’m doing it on my own terms. - What aspect of your job do you find most rewarding or fulfilling?
I really enjoy problem solving and figuring out the most efficient way to do something. It’s like a puzzle to solve for me. - What is the best career lesson you've learned so far?
Be adaptable! My job duties have changed quite a bit from when I started, between hiring new people, and getting new contracts, I have had to shift around a little to work where I’m needed, and being adaptable and open to change has really helped me do well in those kinds of situations. - Outside of work, what are you passionate about/enjoy doing?
I really love baking and cooking, usually trying new foods/recipes. I rarely make the same thing twice because there’s just too many new things to try first! But outside of that I spend a lot of my down time just relaxing and playing some video games. - What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
I just got caught up on Severance! Such a good show, not what I expected at all, but I loved the mystery of what’s happening slowly unraveling over the 2 seasons and very excited to see where it goes next. - What is something that people may not know about you?
I just got a cat! I haven’t had any pets for a few years, so I was really missing having one at home. His name is Telemachus (from the Odyssey) and he’s the sweetest little guy!
Rakhi Mannepalli
Operations Engineer
- When did you start working for Strategic Communications?
I've been here for nine years now - What was your background prior to working for Strategic Communications?
Search Engine Migration for HHS - Who is your favorite musical artist, and what was the first concert you attended?
None, not a music fan - How would your family, friends, or coworkers describe you in three words?
Soft spoken, understanding, and boring - What is your current favorite TV Show, Podcast, or Book that you’d like to share with the world?
God Talks with Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita
