Smart Spotlight: Mustafa Kazmi on Life at Smart
By Smart Communications
At Smart Communications, we believe that progress is powered by people—those who bring fresh perspectives, tackle challenges head-on, and go the extra mile to make a difference. Our Smart Spotlight series celebrates individuals who are shaping our future through their dedication and ingenuity.
For the second feature in the series, we’re excited to recognize North American Application Support Manager, Mustafa Kazmi. Known for his thoughtful approach and strong problem-solving skills, Mustafa consistently finds innovative ways to elevate our technical capabilities and support our long-term goals.
Join us as we take a closer look at Mustafa’s contributions and discover how his mindset and passion for improvement are helping Smart Communications move forward.
1. What is your role at Smart, and how long have you been with the company?
I’m the manager of the North American Application Support team, and I’ve been with Smart Communications since June 2007—over 18 years now! I joined the company—then Thunderhead—as a Junior Support Analyst. In 2018, I was given the opportunity to become the North American Support Manager.
I’m lucky to work alongside some incredible leaders, including Smart Communications’ CCO, Hitesh Bhindi, and Venkat Bandi, Global Support Director, who I want to specifically thank for their leadership. They have empowered us and created an environment where leaders on the CCO team can truly thrive. Being part of an organization led by someone like Hitesh—and working with mentors like Venkat—has been a big part of my journey here.
2. What’s kept you at Smart Communications all these years?
It's the combination of purpose, people, and growth. I've had the chance to work on impactful projects that truly matter to our customers. I've also been surrounded by teammates and leaders who value collaboration, trust, and innovation. Most importantly, Smart Communications has always given me opportunities to grow—whether it was stepping into new roles, developing leadership skills, or contributing to global initiatives. It’s rare to find a workplace that consistently challenges and supports you, and I’m grateful to have found that here.
3. What did you do for work prior to joining Smart, and why did you make the switch?
I was born in Pakistan and raised in Virginia and earned my Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. After University, I decided to move to California to be closer to my brother, who'd been living there for several years and always raved about the lifestyle and weather. After I moved, the rest of my family followed, and we’ve all been in California since May 2006.
The reason that I chose Smart Communications when I started here in June 2007 was that it was an innovative company, and the company was leading the CCM space. This excited me and I am so grateful to have been able to contribute to the success of Smart Communications throughout the years.
4. What skills are needed to be successful in your role/on your team?
You need a strong technical foundation, solid problem-solving skills, and the ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical people. Being curious and willing to learn is key, too. Things are always changing, so adaptability and a collaborative mindset really help you thrive here.
5. What's your favorite aspect of your job?
I love connecting with people—that’s really what drives me. I get to connect with my team every day, helping them grow, resolve issues, and providing guidance when they need it. Whether it's answering process-related questions or helping them get unstuck, I enjoy being that person they can turn to.
I also love connecting with our customers. I speak with them daily, especially in challenging situations like escalations. I take pride in calming things down, showing them we’re on top of it, and giving them confidence that we’ll find a solution. Even though it can be tough, I genuinely enjoy that part of the work.
Another aspect I value is the global nature of our Support Team. My manager, Venkat Bandi, is in Australia, I work closely with my counterpart in EMEA, Application Support Manager, Daniel Skerratt, along with APAC Application Support Team Leader, Prathiba Mahindra, and NAM Application Support Team Leader Jordan Peters. We regularly collaborate across time zones. I enjoy bouncing ideas off each other and finding new ways to improve how we support our customers.
6. What are you doing when you're not working?
Outside of work, I’m all about family. I live with and care for my parents, which I’m immensely proud of. Most of my time goes to my wife and our two young kids—a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. Whether it’s school drop-offs, soccer, Taekwondo, or just playing together, being a hands-on dad is my biggest focus. I also take a lot of pride in being a supportive husband and son. Family means everything to me.
Interested in Working at Smart?
Mustafa’s story is just one of many inspiring examples of how our employees drive innovation and make Smart Communications a fantastic place to work. We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals who are passionate about creating impactful change.
