Q: You are the new Manager for the Research Computing Group. Tell us a little about the work you do.
Our team supports many of the research technologies used in LSA. We work directly with researchers to provide bespoke solutions to a wide variety of problems as well as support the larger central technology offerings such as high performance computing and geographic information systems. We also provide support for writing the technology components of grants and new faculty offers.
Q: What are three things you would like you team to accomplish this year?
This year we are focusing on the LSA Technology Services strategic initiative to evolve research technology services to anticipate LSA needs. We have been working closely with the Associate Dean of Natural Sciences, Chris Poulsen, and the Chief Financial Officer, Steve Schlect. We surveyed the faculty in the Natural Sciences domain of LSA and learned what research technology services are in most need of change and are working on proposals for how to address those needs. We will be surveying the other areas as well as we move forward on this initiative. More tactically, we are working hard to help everyone in LSA that uses the Flux computing cluster move to the new Great Lakes cluster by the end of November. This includes in-lab training, widely available workshops, and hands-on personal assistance where needed. We’ve also recently formed a small group of Research Support Leads that are tasked with improving the technology support experience for our researchers. Our researchers have many unique and complex technology support needs that cross many service groups in LSA Technology Services. This small team will be looking for new ways to improve this support experience and ensure researcher’s needs are met more smoothly.
Q: What has most surprised you about this job?
According to The Discipline Of Market Leaders, there are three types of business values a service organization can provide: product leadership, operational excellence, and customer intimacy. For most of my career, I have been in the operational excellence business and thrived there. LSA Technology Services is squarely in the customer intimacy business. We learn who our customers are, what they need to be successful, and then shape ourselves and our services to meet those needs. I thought it would take me longer to acclimate and embrace this operating model. My team is exceptionally good at providing these solutions and supporting the LSA and U-M community which is making the transition much easier for me than it could have been.
Q: What is the best part of your job? What gets you excited about coming to work?
Purpose. I spent 18 years in ITS before joining LSA, and while I felt I was maintaining a strong connection to the missions of the University during those years, coming to LSA was an awakening in that regard. Our team works to directly impact the research work being done to answer the difficult questions and to inform the next generation. This summer, I had the opportunity to see first hand how our Geographic Information Systems (GIS) solutions were used in an archaeological dig site to record and analyse information that is used to answer questions about how ancient societies functioned and used property and housing. Nothing I did in ITS came close to that. Our team is also full of brilliant and interesting people who teach me something new every day. They are a rare collection of smart professionals who are dedicated to all of our customers. More importantly, they are excellent human beings and a joy to work with.
Q: How do you keep up with new technologies and trends - inside and outside of work?
I have collected a wide variety of information feeds and have an even wider array of colleagues and friends around the globe that I keep in contact with through email lists, chat, and get togethers. The information feeds are the firehouse of somewhat uncurated information about happenings in the industry. My colleagues and friends provide a curated and tested view on the practice of implementing new technology. However, I start and end my day with my Google news feed and Reddit. Things branch out from there.
Q: When you are out of the office, what interests or hobbies do you enjoy?
Most of my time out of the office is spent traveling. I love to explore new territory, professionally and personally. The first thing I do in a new place is get lost. I like the excitement of the unknown and I come across the most amazing and bizarre things while trying to find my way. Most of my travel in recent years has been accompanying my wife of six years, Marti, on her business trips so that our daughter, Amelia, can be close by. She just turned five and has been traveling all over the world since she was born. I spend my travel days with Amelia getting lost in some foreign town while my wife works all day. My only goal is to find my way back by the time my wife finishes her workday. I just wish Amelia could remember more of the trips.
Q: What is a (non-workplace) skill you would like to learn or you are currently learning?
I’m always learning something, but usually little by little in my spare time. I like learning how to work on cars, taking on new DIY projects, learning more about photography, and before we travel I learn enough of the local language to get through the basics. I am the team photographer for my fifteen-year-old’s swim and water polo teams at Skyline High School. I really enjoy watching the meets and matches from the pool deck.
Q: How do you unwind outside work?
When I’m not at work, I’m with my family. In addition to my five-year-old daughter, Amelia, I also have three kids from a previous marriage who are 24, 17, and 15. They are a true joy to be around, most of the time. We also have a well-loved and spoiled ten-year-old Labradoodle named B.B. I’m currently coaching Amelia’s Young 5/Kindergarten soccer team so there is a lot of soccer in my life, even in the living room, which my wife does not always enjoy. I also enjoy a good drive. Again, I head out in a direction and get lost. I find it very relaxing.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
As a middle aged white guy, I think people would be surprised to know how important diversity, equity, and inclusion are to me personally. I have four cisgender female children one of whom is a transgender son, another a gender neutral child, and another an adopted minorty daughter. Issues facing these underrepresented communities, and others, are a frequent topic of conversation in our house. Unfortunately, I am no expert and not even close to perfect when it comes to embracing all of the differences in our household and how to be sure I am providing the best and most supportive environment in our home that celebrates all of these differences. But I’m learning. In today’s world, I am constantly both hopeful and fearful for my children and what they will face. I hope the work here in LSA, and my small contribution to it, will help improve the world for them.
