What area do you work in within the VPFA portfolio?
VPFA Information Technology.
What is your current position, and what are your job responsibilities?
IT Consultant: I provide various IT support services to different units across campus.
How did your work history and education enable you to attain your current position?
Many many years ago—in high school—I wanted to be a pilot in the Air Force. I had picked out the college, the Air Force ROTC program. But with very little guidance (I grew up in a farming community), I did not see a way I could accomplish this. So, I joined the Air Wing of the Marine Corps. There I studied Electricity and Electronics, AJB-7 Loft bombing computers, constant speed drives, and power generators. It was a very rewarding job to be able to work the electronics of the F4-Phantom and know that I fixed the issue and the pilot trusted my work. I also studied HVAC systems and more electronics while in Orange County California.
I started to work at Microsemi as an HVAC mechanic/electrician, again a very rewarding job. The CFO approached me one day and asked me if I wanted to join the computer department. He knew that I was providing computer support for a few small realtors and the CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) donation department. I then advanced to the corporate office and the Network Manager position. We supported over seven divisions worldwide; it was a very rewarding but taxing position. After 18 years we decided SoCal was not the place to be. We decided to move to Eugene because we love the PNW. I applied for the IT consultant position in the VPFA IT department. And that is where I have been for almost 15 years.
What obstacles have you overcome in your career?
Almost all obstacles were self-made. Not having a career goal plan was probably the biggest obstacle. Hindsight is a great thing, and it can help you moving forward, but can’t change the past.
How has working at UO enabled your professional goals and interests?
Working at UO has allowed me to continue IT support for the folks that we serve, which I truly enjoy.
What do you like about your current position?
Working to support the folks that we do. It seriously gives me satisfaction to be able to help a person with their IT needs and just to converse a bit with them.
Please share some insight into what your job involves.
Almost daily we are asked to solve issues with employees’ computer needs. Most of the time the solution/fix is easy, but sometimes you must dig deep to analyze the problem to come up with the cause and fix. The problem solving is a motivation for me.
What advice do you have for others; what secrets would you share for someone thinking of applying to the UO?
Always do your best in everything. Have an education goal and a career goal. If you have done well in your education and have a great job resume – you can almost do anything anywhere. But always have a great attitude, knowing that there will be stumbles along the way. Always try and have fun!
Share a little about yourself personally:
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Family: Married twice, one daughter. Diane, my current wife, is awesome. Very understanding. Understanding to the point that we had my first wife stay with us while in hospice care—Maria passed away early in the morning, with all three of her daughters by her side.
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Favorite food: Tough question. A good pizza, Chicken Parmesan, Pad Thai (with extra peanut sauce).
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Best movie you’ve seen: Tough question. Castaway, Interstellar, Saving Private Ryan (way too many “best” movies.
If you could only take three items with you to a deserted island, what would they be?
Wife, food, shelter (boring, I know).
How do you want to be remembered?
As a good guy, easygoing, and fun to be with.
If you could have the answer to any question, what would it be?
If I could have the answer to any question, the answer would be “Yes, there is”.
(June 2020)