At Columbus, we’re proud of the people who’ve grown with us over the years. Some have been here for over a decade—bringing consistency, humour, and deep knowledge to everything they do. We spoke to three colleagues with a combined 60 years at Columbus to hear their reflections on what’s made the journey so memorable.
Jeanette Emilsson – 15 years, Sweden
Jeanette has seen Columbus evolve from the days of handling payroll without a formal HR department to now being part of a dedicated HR team working closely with Talent Acquisition.
What’s kept her going? The people. “Every year has brought new experiences and challenges,” she says. “It’s the colleagues, the laughs, and the shared wins that make it special.”
The company values that mean the most to her are Collaboration and Trust—without them, she says, we wouldn’t get very far. A piece of advice from a former CEO still guides her today: “Stay calm, it will work.”
Every year has brought new experiences and challenges. It’s the colleagues, the laughs, and the shared wins that make it special
Kristin Ødegård – 18 years, Norway
Kristin describes Columbus as a place that feels like home. She’s driven by learning and problem-solving—especially when she can explore new features in Dynamics or help a colleague find a solution.
Her natural curiosity is what keeps her moving forward. “Even if I’ve never seen a problem before, I’ll dig into Learn or the Dynamics application until I’ve figured it out.”
Over the years, Kristin has witnessed huge shifts in technology. She started out in the days of telefacsimiles and snail mail, with fixed PCs and no home office options. Today, she works with a continuously evolving Dynamics platform that’s entirely cloud-based and far more intuitive for users. “It’s been a joy to follow Dynamics from the early XAL days to D365FO,” she says. “Back then, we even used MSN to chat with nearby colleagues!”
One fond memory? A company trip to Trysil that still makes her smile—though the details are staying under wraps.
Her advice to others: “Get good at one thing before moving on to the next. Stay curious and keep your eyes on your goals.”
Even if I’ve never seen a problem before, I’ll dig into Learn or the Dynamics application until I’ve figured it out
Togeir Toms – 27 years, Norway
Togeir’s work has taken him around the world—from technical conferences in Seattle and Atlanta to projects with some of Columbus’ largest clients. His focus has always been on performance: making things run faster and smoother for our customers.
Trust, customer success, and collaboration are the values he holds most dear. “The goal isn’t just to finish the job—it’s to do the right thing for the customer. That’s how you build long-term relationships.”
Technology has changed dramatically during Togeir’s time with Columbus. He began working on Concorde XAL and was there for the very first release of Axapta. Today, his work revolves around cloud-based environments hosted by Microsoft, where performance tuning remains vital—but in very different ways. “Gone are the days of servers in a basement. Now we’re working in the cloud, with web interfaces and constant updates. The tools have changed, but the need for strong foundations hasn’t.”
He recalls a light-hearted moment on a project in Sweden when a Swedish client discovered the Norwegian nickname for the power button—needless to say, it caused a bit of a stir (and a lot of laughter).
His career advice? “Never take shortcuts. Be open with customers, and always act in their best interests.”
The goal isn’t just to finish the job—it’s to do the right thing for the customer. That’s how you build long-term relationships
Long service means growth
Each of these stories reminds us that long service doesn’t mean standing still. It’s about growing with the business, adapting to change, and making a lasting impact—one project, one colleague, one laugh at a time.
Thank you, Jeanette, Kristin, and Togeir, for everything you’ve contributed—and continue to contribute—to Columbus.
Do you want to grow your skill set with us? Check out open positions on our global career site.