We Are IT | Meet Justin Kraft
Born and raised in Tallahassee, Justin Kraft graduated from the University of South Florida. He started his career at FSU in 2010 on the accounting and finance side before moving into ITS in 2014. Today, Justin serves as an ERP Analyst III managing the procurement module in FSU’s enterprise software suite. Outside the office, Justin enjoys exploring the outdoors with his wife, Brittany and their son, Everett.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Tallahassee.
Where did you attend school?
I attended Rickards High School right here in Tallahassee. Then, I went to the University of South Florida where I double majored in economics and finance.
Why did you choose to work in technology?
When I first began my career, I started at FSU on the accounting and finance side of things working for the Center for Leadership and Civic Education. I then worked in the Controller’s Office, where I managed the procurement card program and collaborated closely with ITS, particularly the ERP team. After working closely with them, I had the opportunity to join the team. I grew up with computers, so technology was an inevitable career path for me.
How long have you been at FSU?
I began working at FSU in 2010 and joined ITS in October 2014. I can’t believe I celebrated my 15th anniversary this year.
What is your role at FSU?
ERP Analyst III. I oversee the procurement module in FSU's enterprise software suite, managing purchasing, inventory and maintenance management processes. One of my main responsibilities is supporting Procurement Services and the Controller’s Office with purchase orders, maintaining our system of record, and overseeing integrations with third-party software.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
One of my favorite things about my job is getting to solve different problems each day in new and interesting ways. Each day is never the same and we’re constantly getting new technologies and finding new ways to do things.
What is the most rewarding project you have worked on at FSU?
The most rewarding project I have worked on was automating the purchase order roll process. This used to take teams a lot of time and manual work to move budget information into a new fiscal year. I helped create a solution where you just enter a few fields, click a button, and the system does the rest. It was rewarding because it hadn’t been considered before, and we kept it simple with minimal code changes. Automation significantly cuts time and reduces errors, making the process much more efficient.
What is your favorite app?
SQL Developer. I use this to access our database on an everyday basis, and it enables me to efficiently and effectively improve and change our system by being able to slice and dice data in different ways.
If you were to invent one piece of technology, what would it be?
As an avid camper and hiker, I would design a personal mosquito defense system like an AI-powered laser that can kill mosquitos on the spot.
What is a fun fact about you?
I went to high school with famous rapper T-Pain.
Talk a little bit about your family.
My wife, Brittany Kraft, is a professor in the biology department at FSU, and we have a son, Everett.
What do you do in your free time?
My family and I enjoy spending our free time outdoors. Whether it’s traveling, hiking, camping or collecting minerals, you can find us outside.
