Employee Spotlight: Getting to Know Shariq Shahbazi, IT Manager at Industrial Repair Service
Step into the spotlight with us as we shine a light on Shariq Shahbazi, our IT Manager at Industrial Repair Service. We’ll dive deeper into his favorite memories of IRS, a super cool fact about his family, and the best advice he’s received.
Meet Shariq!
What inspired you to pursue this career path?
I’ve been fascinated by computers since I was a kid, back when they had no mouse and no icons to click. My first computer, an Apple IIe, came with stacks of books, including programming guides, and I wanted to learn it all. That curiosity has never faded.
What’s the most rewarding thing about working at Industrial Repair Service?
Without a doubt—the people. During my interview, James mentioned that Industrial Repair Service was like a family. At the time, I assumed it was just something employers say. But over the past decade, through life’s ups and downs—health challenges, personal losses, and major milestones—I’ve truly come to understand what he meant. The IR family has supported me through it all, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.
What professional skill are you currently working on?
IT evolves rapidly, and staying curious is key. Lately, I’ve been focusing on AI’s integration into daily workflows—whether it’s programming, using MS Office, project planning, or troubleshooting. AI is a powerful tool, but it pulls knowledge from the internet, and we all know how reliable that can be (spoiler: not very!). Blindly trusting AI without understanding the subject can lead to disaster.
What’s something about you or your family that you want everyone to know?
My last name, Shahbazi, signifies that I am a direct descendant of Shahbaz Muhammad Bhagalpuri, a 16th-century Sufi saint in India. His disciples included the ruling Mughal Emperor, and his shrine is still visited by thousands today. Until four generations ago, my ancestors dedicated their lives to its service. (Note: I am not from India)
What has been your favorite event or memory here at Industrial Repair Service?
My new colleagues may not know this, but Industrial Repair once had a softball team, and I was the catcher! We may not have been the winningest team, but we definitely had fun. That’s just one of many great memories I’ve made here over the past ten-plus years.
What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?
I switch hobbies like I change clothes—I get bored easily! Over the years, I’ve dabbled in flying, photography, target shooting, fishing, and gaming. My latest obsession? Car detailing. I’m learning all I can, and once my cars are spotless, ceramic-coated, and gleaming, I’ll probably move on to something new.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
One of my greatest mentors once told me: “Leave your baggage at the door.” Bringing personal problems to work—or taking work stress home—is unfair to both your career and your personal life. I’ve taken that to heart, using my commute as a mental reset so I arrive at work (and home) with a clear mind.
What work-related accomplishments are you most proud of?
At Industrial Repair, we’ve built a robust, enterprise-class IT infrastructure that allows us to perform at a level far beyond a typical small business. Early adoption of VMware for private cloud, Veeam for disaster recovery, and a hybrid cloud environment with Azure positioned us ahead of the curve. Being part of these technological transitions is something I’m truly proud of.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Shariq, and we can’t wait to share next month’s spotlight with you. Stay tuned!