Shining Star: Spenser Cushing

Spenser Cushing, Orion’s Business Systems Manager, is our September Shining Star. He shares why he likes to bounce from hobby to hobby — from 3D printing and indoor rock climbing to sewing.

So, where are you from?
I’m from Jamestown, New York — a small town about an hour and a half south of Buffalo. Our claim to fame is Lucille Ball was born there, and Southern Tier Brewing Company.

Tell us about the start of your career?
I have worked for ID Media and Orion since graduating from college 10 years ago.

And where did you attend school?
Stony Brook University at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. I earned my Bachelor of Science in information systems.

OK, what’s something interesting we might not know about you?
I really enjoy going to Anime conventions. I’ve been going since the late ‘00s and have even made a tradition out of going to one each year for my birthday. My favorite cosplay is my punk Jolteon trainer, which I hand sewed all the patches onto my vest.

What are your hobbies?
Solid question. I bounce around to whatever I find interesting that day. I’ve gotten into a whole bunch of different things, including indoor rock climbing, cycling, twitch streaming (for a bit), and 3D printing. For my next hobby, I would like to learn to sew — with a sewing machine.

What’s your favorite movie?
My favorite changes a lot, usually based on what I have seen recently. I really like movies by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver), Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away), and Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Life Aquatic, Rushmore).

What’s your favorite sports team?
Buffalo Bills, of course. You have to root for the home team.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Either the Swiss Alps or Okinawa. I’ve been to both the Italian Alps and other parts of Japan. So, this is more I want to revisit these places I enjoyed but see a new area of them.