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Interview
AVP
displays. As a service organization, IT has to evolve
along with technology and the innovation it fosters
to enhance teaching, learning and living.
What originally sparked your interest in an IT
field?
I got my first exposure to computer science
taking an Assembly class in 1980, while here at
Southeast. Assembly is a low level programming
language which introduced me to process logic
and I was fascinated by the ability to automate
and develop applications. I was hooked.
If you did not work in IT, what career do you
envision for yourself?
I’ve always been fascinated by the operations of
large manufacturing plants. So, I think I would
want to be a plant manager. I guess I enjoy solving
problems, working with people and seeing the end
product.
Describe a typical day for you while working
in IT.
A typical day may not seem too exciting. I spend a
lot of time visiting with staff, attending meetings,
and answering emails. However, underlying those
activities is always “what is best for the institution”
and “how can we enhance our services”.
What do you most often look forward to when
you come to work each day?
It will sound corny, but being a part of something
that is so important to so many people, where
I can add value. Working with people to solve
problems and create new opportunities.
What do you love most about working in IT?
It’s fun to learn about new technologies and
it’s even more rewarding when you are able to
successfully employ them in the business of
teaching and learning.
What are the high points and/or low points of
working in an IT department?
As with most highs and lows, they are the opposite
sides of a coin. The high is successfully helping
someone employ technology. This can be solving
a simple problem or implementing a new complex
system. The low is when you can’t solve that
problem or when you find a specific application is
not a good fit or consistently fails. The good news
is the lows can almost always be turned into highs,
it just takes a little time and effort.
What was the craziest or most difficult
day you experienced working in the IT
department?
I think the craziest and most challenging day was
managing the technology of a major conference,
which was also streaming multiple sessions
across the country. We were so engaged with
helping attendees, setting up conference rooms,
streaming to hundreds of locations. It was crazy,
so many things happening all at once, even with
months of preparation… but it was also fun and
very rewarding.
Overall, how would you rate your experiences
working in IT?
Since it is all I’ve ever done, I’m going to give it a
10! It’s got a good beat and I can dance to it.
What advice would you give to a student
pursuing a position in IT?
There are so many aspects of information
technology. Explore and find what really excites
you. That said, always stay current and explore
new opportunities.
List and discuss some of your hobbies.
Well I love to read and watch movies. I guess I like
good stories. I’ve also been swimming all my
life. I enjoy it very much; I’ve just slowed down a
little… ok a lot.
List and discuss your immediate family
members.
Kim (Meder) and I have been married for over
thirty years. We originally met while attending
Southeast… Kim received a degree in Geology.
We are very proud of both of our grown children,
one living in San Diego and one in Illinois.
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