At the time of writing, I’m 42 years old and the CTO of a small co-op in Alabama. I have been married to my best friend for almost 20 years and we have three incredible children. I am a Marine Corps Veteran (0311, E5) and have an associate degree from Valley Forge Military College in Wayne, PA. Currently I am enrolled in the SEC511 course of the BACS program through the SANS Technology Institute, as well as the SANS ISC Internship that is part of that program. Last year I was on the Dean’s List and hopefully, God willing, I will finally have my bachelor’s before the year is out.
That’s the tldr… who I have been, the quick high points, and where I am now. The next bit is much more detailed and long; so if you are just bored and want something to read…
I grew up on a farm in a small town in Alabama, was home schooled and had a father that I don’t think ever paid anyone to do anything. We fixed all the things, we worked on all the things, we solved all the problems that we had. It was an invaluable childhood, I just didn’t realize it at the time. At the time I wanted to play video games and sit on the computer all day; little did I know the stuff I was learning working with my Dad would turn me into the problem solver I am today.
My Dad was the sole owner/operator of Burnett Appliance, Heating and Cooling; and I was his helper, apprentice, go-fer until I was old enough to drive and actually go out on my own. It was at this time in my life, I became accustomed to the feeling of being faced with a problem and having not the first idea of how to solve it, a theme that would follow me on into my adult life. In rural Alabama you don’t always have cell service, and in a time before smart phones you were faced with having to look at a faded schematic on the side of a condensing unit, and using a multimeter to locate the problem. There were times I failed but also a lot of times I succeeded and both taught me a lot, but also built into me a passion for solving problems and the satisfaction of helping others solve them.
I tried college out, as you do when you are 18; but we didn’t get along too well. I didn’t have a true direction, and my failures at school really killed any self esteem that I had. Looking back now, it was really the lack of good study habits and knowing how to learn that caused my problems. I wasn’t stupid, but secretly thought that I was. I wanted to have a job in IT but knew that I likely needed a computer science degree, so I gave up on that dream. After my brief stint in college, I decided I wanted to be an electrician.
I started working for a small electrical company, mainly sign and outdoor lighting repair at first. I later teamed up with a journeyman electrician, and for about 7 years we tackled everything from small repairs in a Captain D’s to large scale build outs in industrial plants. I was very fortunate to work with Noah for those years, he is an extremely smart electrician and taught me everything from the basics of conduit bending, to how to read a set of blueprints, and even how to talk with inspectors. He, like myself, was also brought up with a strong work ethic and an understanding that if something was worth doing it was worth doing right. I still wasn’t happy though, I wanted to work on computers, networks and servers. That was my true passion and one year I decided I was going to take a chance and break into the IT field.
I spent all year riding around in that electrical van with my nose in a Network+ book. I listened to podcasts, I watched guides on the internet, anything I could absorb I did. I sent out resumes, letters and emails to probably every IT company or MSP in Alabama. No one returned my calls, or if they did it was a “don’t call us we will call you”. Except for two different spots, one was a small computer repair shop that said they could bring me on as an intern. I said, “lets do it!”. At this point I was hungry for anything. I worked with them for a time, learning a lot and becoming more accustomed to what it was like at this “office work” I was so unaccustomed to. I was still looking for that steady work though, and one day I got the call that would alter my career for the rest of my life.
DataPerk, LLC. a small MSP (managed service provider) in the local Birmingham area actually returned my call, and while they didn’t have anything available they really were the only one that actually called back to talk to me. Like a dog with his favorite chew toy, I was not about to let that go. Being an electrician, from time to time we ran across office build outs that needed low voltage work, so I started calling DataPerk. Honestly, I think that’s what got me in the door; I just wouldn’t stop bugging them. Eventually they called me in for an interview, they asked me a bunch of questions and offered me a job! For…. $3 less an hour than I was making… ugh, that discussion with my wife was tough. However, she finally agreed with it, we took the chance (and I worked as electrician at night to make ends meet), but I was in! I was officially an IT guy and unbelievably excited.
In the interview with DataPerk, I essentially leaned into my strengths. I pitched myself as someone that could handle all their cabling work. Which I could; I knew construction, code and how to talk with contractors and inspectors. So DataPerk got a new cabling guy and I got access to all the knowledge. Working experts in system administration, networking, computing, even business and management; it was heaven for me. I will tell any person starting their career in IT to start it at an MSP. Honestly, the wealth of knowledge you can consume touching so many networks, interacting with so many people and businesses is invaluable. I really do attribute all my success in IT to DataPerk taking their chance on me, and giving me that opportunity. If I had simply found an IT job at some office somewhere, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I worked on every major piece of hardware and software on the market (the good and the bad), and I am better for it. It catapulted me through the ranks from a simple cabling guy, to the manager of the entire service department. There are simply too many memories, learning experiences and growth points in my time at DataPerk to recount. Which really is the underlying reason I started this site. It’s a simple place for me to dump my thoughts, blog about my projects and create a memory bank of sorts for things I experience. I should have done it years ago, but alas here we are.
As manager of the service department, I had my feet in two different worlds: business management and technology. I watched DataPerk grow from 4-5 technicians, to 20+ with a full sales and accounting staff. I can say I helped in that, and I am proud of the work I did there. I missed the technology though, the problem solving and the keyboard work. So I started looking, and while nothing landed by any conventional method, by God’s will I received a call from Coosa Valley Cooperative who was interested in me for a network admin role. Turns out my daughter’s friend’s father, who I talked with a few times at birthday parties, had offered my name up for the position. It was perfect for me, slower paced, one network to manage and not a major business or leadership role. The only catch was yet again I was taking a pay cut, not huge but enough to make me pause. Eventually I determined that it was worth it, and it was yet another fantastic life altering decision.
I have been at Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative now for almost three years. Shortly into my first year, due to some personnel shifts, a CTO (Manager of Technology officially but CTO is easier to type) position was opened up and I was approached for it. While I was a bit apprehensive about management again, this was a small team of great people who I really enjoy working with and best of all I get to still work on the systems which I love so much.
Working at a cooperative is yet another move that I can’t endorse enough. Working with a rural community, with people who are of like minded values and mentality is just refreshing. It genuinely feels like coming home, and that’s the way I have felt since day one. I look forward to many more days here, and documenting the journey down this new path in my life.
So, there you have it. A farm boy, blue collar construction worker to the CTO of an electrical cooperative. It’s been a time getting to this place in my life, and I only scratched the surface of all that I have done or experienced. That’s ultimately my hope with this site. I want this to be a new hobby for me. Not only documenting my ISC internship but also the solutions I come across, the people I meet and the life experiences I have in my IT and Cybersecurity journey.