“(You) only know you’ve been high when you’re feeling low” and “You only need the light when it’s burning low” laments the current pop song “Let Her Go” by Passenger.
Though this song is about heartache, that’s how it is with tech support too. You don’t realize how good you’ve had it, until something’s not working. And …. frequently that happens when you need “it” (your computer, remote access, the network, the printer) the most.
Here at SCJ Alliance we are very lucky to have a talented Information Technology Services team. The power-house services are headed up by IT Manager Dusty Wilson, who is assisted by new employee Josh Sjoding (pronounced show’ ding). They save us, and our clients, from a lot of heartache.
Both men have been programming computers for around 20 years…which says a lot for a couple guys in their early 30’s. Self-trained and life-long learners, they understand the importance of keeping up on changes in their field. They are also adept at evaluating when incorporating new technologies and software is a good business decision.
Previously Dusty owned his own business, Megagram, and SCJ Alliance was one of his clients. In the fall of 2012 Dusty brought his expertise and clients to the firm and a new technology division was created within SCJ Alliance. Josh most recently hails from the WA State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
At 8-years-old Dusty was programming using others people’s computers. At age 12, his mother bought him his own Laser I28 (an Apple IIc clone) for $50. “It was probably the best present she ever gave me,” shares Dusty “I wrote so many excitingly boring programs on that thing.” As a sophomore in high school, when other kids were mowing lawns and bagging groceries, Dusty was making money by repairing computers.
For Josh, his middle school website was his foray into the computer world at 12-years-old. “I was learning HTML and JavaScript, using Netscape,” he said. Josh has worked as an IT specialist in both the public and private sectors. “We live in an age of technological complexity,” said Josh. “I want to help people enjoy the benefits of technology while relieving them of some of the burdens.”
Similarly, Dusty’s helping attitude is one of his most appealing attributes. “It’s rare to find a combination of IT expertise paired with great inter-personal and communication skills, but Dusty has them both,” shared SCJ Principal Jean Carr. “I’ve never seen Dusty frustrated from questions or interruption. He’s always outwardly calm and pleasant.”
This is quite a feat for a position where interruptions are many, requests come from literally every person in the company, resources (time and money) are limited and there’s urgency to requests.
From a national corporation’s security issues to mobile app development for a Washington small business, Dusty and Josh have a wide spectrum of experience. Recent clients include a statewide, non-profit, education association that is enjoying a new relational database with customized reports. An online retailer is experiencing business success with a new network, equipment and mobile connectedness.
On-site or remote, simple or complex, this duo provides their clients a full complement of services.
For Dusty and Josh their favorite projects require creative solutions and utilization of their diverse set of computer programming and systems engineering talents. And their bane? Printers!
“Printer related issues are the most common problem people contact us about …and they don’t require creative solutions,” Dusty said with a grin. Adding jokingly, “I am a big fan of a paperless office, because that means no printers!”
This small but efficient team provides a broad range of IT services, both in-house and to SCJ clients. “Josh and I provide an information technology infrastructure that is a crucial part of successful projects,” said Dusty. “We strive to be cost-effective in our approach as we combine the best of open-source and proprietary technologies, supplemented by solutions we develop in-house.”
Services offered by the SCJ Alliance Information Technology Services division include:
- Technology Consulting
- System Engineering
- Data Modeling
- Database Programming and Administration
- Application Programming
- Web Programming
- Web Design and Development
- Web Server Administration
- User Interface Design
- Project Management
- Business Process Automation
