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When Danny Sarlo joined Simms & Associates, the company had around 40 employees and plenty of momentum.
For Danny, that growth represented opportunity. But it was the culture he encountered from his very first week that confirmed he had made the right decision.
“My first impression was a people-first, fun, rewarding company with real momentum behind it,” he recalls.
From colleagues to leadership, people made time to welcome him and help him settle in. Almost three years later, Simms has grown significantly, but Danny believes that feeling has remained.
“The core of who we are hasn’t changed. It’s just in our DNA.”
Stepping outside his comfort zone
Danny joined Simms as a Solution Consultant, later taking on team lead responsibilities before becoming Practice Manager for EMEA.
At the beginning of this year, that progression brought one of his biggest challenges yet. Alongside his new Practice Manager role, Danny also became Lead Consultant for one of the company’s enterprise accounts.
Balancing a strategic position with hands-on delivery across a complex, multi-country account pushed him outside his comfort zone.
“It’s been one of the most demanding periods in my career, but also one of the most rewarding, both professionally and personally.”
Learning to back yourself
One of Danny’s biggest lessons at S&A has been learning to trust his own experience.
He joined from a retail and workforce management background without UKG-specific experience, but quickly discovered how transferable his knowledge was.
“It’s like moving from one car to another,” he explains. “The controls might be laid out differently, but you still know the rules of the road.”
That experience taught him to back himself more — something that has become increasingly important as his responsibilities have grown.
Connected wherever we work
For Danny, collaboration remains one of the defining characteristics of S&A.
Despite colleagues working across different countries and cultures, he says people continue to show up for one another “like we’re all in the same room.”
Trust and flexibility are equally important. With a young family, Danny particularly values being able to balance work with school runs, appointments, and everyday life.
“No matter where we are in the world, there’s always someone on the team ready to help.”
Looking to the next chapter
Looking ahead, Danny is excited to see S&A continue adapting as the market evolves.
“Getting stronger, more experienced and more adaptable as we scale and knowing I get to be part of that, shaping the next chapter, is a great feeling.”
As Simms celebrates ten years, Danny’s journey reflects that same spirit of growth: embracing new challenges, continuing to learn, and helping shape what comes next.