Get to know Kelly Goolsby: A Friendly and Supportive Person
Responsive, helpful, and dedicated in ways automation just can’t be. We’re your team. Each month, we recognize one of our Most Helpful Humans in Hosting®.
Say hello to Kelly Goolsby
With nearly two decades of experience in the hosting industry, Kelly Goolsby has made a name for himself in the technical side of sales as a Solution Engineer. After 15 years at Rackspace, Goolsby now serves as the Director of Enterprise & Technical Solutions at Liquid Web. His team works closely with customers to navigate through a complex product portfolio and build solutions that cater to each customer’s unique needs. He’s passionate about fostering knowledge-sharing among teams to leverage individual experiences and expertise to improve the organization collectively. Say hello to Kelly Goolsby.
Why did you join Liquid Web?
I joined Liquid Web because of the opportunity to work with colleagues from my time at Rackspace. Liquid Web’s focus on helping organizations transition to the cloud aligned with my expertise, and I knew I could make a significant impact on these customers.
What attracts you to the hosting industry as a career?
I enjoy learning about new concepts and sharing them with a sometimes non-technical audience. I’ve gained extensive knowledge in designing efficient application infrastructures that enhance business outcomes—not just implementing the latest technology. I always say, “If I can’t explain the benefits to my least technical family member, then I probably wouldn’t offer it to a customer.”
What do you love about Liquid Web?
I love that I can drive change at Liquid Web. The company is large enough to offer scope and scale while still small enough that individual contributions can lead to noticeable improvements. The communication between small teams and leadership makes you feel valued, and everyone is focused on moving things forward.
How does Liquid Web differ from other employers?
People at Liquid Web go above and beyond to resolve issues and exceed customer expectations. The team’s tenacity and perseverance to complete challenging projects are unparalleled in the hosting industry.
For instance, we successfully launched a highly redundant and scalable solution for a client during a weekend event with 24/7 real-time expertise. We accelerated our process to meet an earlier deadline, resulting in a notable launch featured on major network news. The dedication from everyone involved, present during the launch weekend to offer assistance, was truly inspiring.
What’s your biggest accomplishment?
I played a significant role in launching VMware Private Cloud at Liquid Web. I believed in the product’s potential for our company, and we managed to roll it out within months, leveraging our industry experience. It has become a standout product, offering a scalable private cloud solution that competes with larger enterprises but at a lower cost.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
I enjoy hiking and activities at the beach or river. I also collect rare bourbon, including a prized W.L. Weller variety gifted by a friend and a bottle of Blanton’s I fortuitously discovered.
If you could have dinner with one famous person [dead or alive], who would it be?
I’d choose Benjamin Franklin. His out-of-the-box thinking and boundless curiosity resonate with me—even if I haven’t quite matched his level of success.
