The Creative Stack

About Jason Cole

As the principal of Cole Audio Video, Jason Cole blends expert audio system design with a mastery of lighting and shade to shape the aesthetic and energy of high-end residences. By focusing on the art of light and sound rather than just the hardware, he provides clients with an intuitive level of control that works every time, ensuring the technology serves the home's beauty without the friction of over-complication.

What you'll learn about in this episode:

• Why AV and IT are often confused for the same thing, and why the distinction matters when planning an office move.
• How the technology in your conference room directly impacts meeting quality, and what separates a robust video conferencing setup from one that just technically works.
• What tenant improvement (TI) money is, why most tenants don't know they can take it themselves, and how doing so leads to a better space for the same cost.
• The role of an owner's rep (construction manager) and the importance of having one in your corner.
• When to bring in an AV, IT, and design partner, and why you should have them on your team before you've even signed a lease.
• What FF&E, MEP, and building standards actually mean, and how understanding these terms helps you advocate for the space you want.
• How room size, ceiling height, surfaces, and sound absorption all factor into AV design, and why use cases should drive every decision.

About Georg Dauterman:

Georg believes in the fusion of technology and creativity. With a background in both fields, he started his career in IT departments of publishing and advertising agencies, realizing the critical need for tech aligned with business goals. Joining Valiant in 2004, Georg's expertise and passion for efficiency brought industry recognition. He holds a history degree from Queens College and serves on Datto's Global Partner Advisory Board. Beyond his leadership role, Georg enjoys exploring culinary skills, fitness, and outdoor adventures with his family.

About Megan Quick:

Megan is a member of the Valiant Marketing & Sales team, assisting in demonstrating the value of our services and ensuring positive experiences for prospective clients. When not working with technology, she is a theater production manager and performer, producing her own comedy shows, and is an avid writer. Megan has a B.A. in Theater from Sewanee: The University of The South.

What you'll learn about in this episode:

• The history, transition, and philosophy behind managed service pricing — from the "break fix" model of the early 2000s to today's flat-rate MSP structure, and why the shift happened.
• What an MSP stack is and why standardization across tools, vendors, and configurations is essential for consistent, scalable service.
• How MSP pricing is built, including factoring in people, tools, insurance, training, travel, and environment complexity.
• Why $150–$250 per end-user per month is the current market benchmark, and what it means if someone quotes lower.
• Why you shouldn't have to think about your IT systems when it's done right, and how truly "invisible" IT is backed by clear, measurable outcomes.
• The single most important question to ask any MSP before signing: not what's covered, but what's not covered.
• Red flags to watch for when evaluating an MSP, including unwillingness to provide references and vague definitions of scope.
• Why chemistry and cultural fit matter just as much as technical capability when choosing a long-term technology partner.

Dan has over 30 years of experience and progressive advancement in the education, financial services, retail, professional services, consulting, utility and beverage manufacturing industries including large, medium and "start up" companies. He is recognized for successfully completing technology initiatives that drive business results. Additionally, he is known for facilitating collaboration among business and technology leaders. Dan has applied his enterprise solutions delivery skills and experience in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Asia. He has a strong background in strategic planning and successful execution of plan with ROI analysis and corporate governance on all technology initiatives.

In addition to his experience at Bright Water Consulting, Dan was the Senior Director of IT for UtiliQuest, LLC, where he was responsible for all aspects of technology. Previous to this position, he was Chief Information Officer at Delta Career Education Corporation, Vice President, Business Technology Officer and Director of the Project Management Office for SunTrust Bank, Global IT Manager for The Coca-Cola Company, IT Manager for Norrell Corporation and a Business Systems Analyst at the Georgia Power Company.

Dan holds a Master of Business Administration Degree from Georgia State University, a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Georgia Southern University and presently resides in Snellville, Georgia, with his wife Luanne.

What you'll learn about in this episode:

• The difference between a managed service provider (MSP) and a technology consulting firm, and why most businesses should have both.
• How Brightwater Consulting approaches engagements, including deep-diving into business operations, strategy, and goals.
• What a real-world digital transformation looks like in practice, including an 11-month case study with a $300M family-run business.
• Why a "crawl, walk, run" approach to AI adoption saves companies from wasting money on implementing new tools without a strategy.
• The distinction between proactive and reactive technology clients, and how Dan's team adds value to both.
• How fractional CTO-style consulting gives small and mid-market businesses enterprise-level guidance without the full-time cost.
• Why data integrity and cybersecurity fundamentals matter more than ever, especially as AI tools open unexpected security vulnerabilities.
• How change management and communication determine whether an implementation actually succeeds.

Josh Berger joined Norman Bobrow & Co., Inc., as Director of Commercial Leasing & Investment Sales in 2009 and has quickly become one of the firm's top producing brokers. In 2014, he was named Managing Director of Commercial Leasing & Investment sales for his growing role in educating and training new brokers who join the firm. In 2022 Josh was named Vice President and tasked with running the firm's Broker Development and Summer Internship programs and increasing sales in Manhattan and the Outer Boroughs.

Josh has represented firms in the fields of advertising, technology, non-profit, finance, public relations and fashion amongst others. Some of Berger's clients include: Equinix, Boyar Value Group, Clear Street Management, Jordache Enterprises, MMGY Global, Harborview Capital Management, Museum of Women, PETSMART, The Center for Social Inclusion, TADA! Youth Theater, and Transit Wireless.

Outside of his time in Real Estate Josh explores his many passions including charity work, abstract painting, music production and photography. Josh sits on the Board of Directors (and the Young Leaders Council) of Job Path and is also heavily involved with Lighthouse Guild.

Berger received his B.S. in Marketing/Business Administration from Yeshiva University. He currently resides in South Orange, New Jersey with his wife Kelsey and his two sons Jacob and Benjamin.

What you'll learn about in this episode:

• What a tenant rep broker does, and why having one in your corner is the difference between a good deal and getting taken advantage of.
• Why starting an office move early is everything, and how much runway you actually need based on your office size, including why waiting until the last minute kills your leverage.
• The true costs of an office space from cleaning services and water charges to low-voltage wiring and furniture lead times, including what first-timers almost always overlook.
• How to protect yourself from demolition clauses which is one of the biggest pitfalls in the 2026 NYC market, and how to negotiate notice periods and cost reimbursements if your building gets redeveloped.
• The difference between Class A and Class B buildings, including what they are, what they cost per square foot, and how to decide which is right for your business.
• How the NYC office market defied the "death of office space" narrative, and what's happening with supply, demand, and rents right now, including buildings hitting 4% vacancy.
• How hybrid work is reshaping office strategy from hoteling setups to investing in amenities that make employees want to come in, and what smart companies are doing differently today.
• The team you need before signing a lease: why a specialized NYC real estate attorney, an architect for space planning, and an IT partner are non-negotiables for a smooth move.

About Kirsten Bay:

Cysurance was co-founded by Kirsten Bay, a leader with more than 25 years of experience in risk intelligence, information management, and cybersecurity. After serving as CEO of big data and cybersecurity companies, and helping to shape national cyber policy through congressional committees, Kirsten saw the same problem again and again: traditional insurance wasn't calibrated to the reality of modern security practices. Premiums and deductibles were growing, but they weren't aligned with the actual protections being put in place. Kirsten knew the industry needed a shift that rewarded strong security programs instead of penalizing them. By certifying, warranting, and insuring security solutions that meet the highest standards, Cysurance helps organizations prove their security posture, reduce risk, and access coverage that matches their real-world protections. The result is better outcomes for providers, insurers, and most importantly, the clients they serve.

• Why cyber insurance is essential for every organization and how threats ultimately determine the value of your data.
• How shifting from zero-incidents to severity management turn catastrophic breaches into manageable events.
• The disconnect between security posture and insurance, and how better controls lead to smart risk decisions.
• The five foundational controls: MFA, patching, immutable backups, strong passwords, segmentation, and how they can drop your risk curve by 60-70%.
• How reusing passwords and poor segmentation contributed to major breaches like 23andMe, and how to avoid similar pitfalls.
• Why MSPs are critical partners, especially with 88% of SMBs outsourcing IT and security.
• The communication gap between leadership and IT, and why fear-based messaging fails to drive action.
• Cybersecurity as an accessible, practical discipline and not a dark art, using tools most organizations already have.

About Georg Dauterman: Georg believes in the fusion of technology and creativity. With a background in both fields, he started his career in IT departments of publishing and advertising agencies, realizing the critical need for tech aligned with business goals. Joining Valiant in 2004, Georg's expertise and passion for efficiency brought industry recognition. He holds a history degree from Queens College and serves on Datto's Global Partner Advisory Board. Beyond his leadership role, Georg enjoys exploring culinary skills, fitness, and outdoor adventures with his family.

About Megan Quick: Megan is a member of the Valiant Marketing & Sales team, assisting in demonstrating the value of our services and ensuring positive experiences for prospective clients. When not working with technology, she is a theater production manager and performer, producing her own comedy shows, and is an avid writer. Megan has a B.A. in Theater from Sewanee: The University of The South.

• Why onboarding sets the tone for the entire employee or client relationship, and how a strong first impression builds trust, clarity, and long-term mutual respect.
• How small creative agencies can improve onboarding through proactive communication, keeping additional equipment on hand, and aligning processes with IT or internal teams every 3-6 months.
• How to manage IT equipment lifecycle efficiently, with recommended refresh cycles to reduce downtime and control replacement costs.
• Why offboarding is not just an HR task but a critical cybersecurity function that requires clarity, empathy, and rigorous documentation.
• The risks of incomplete offboarding, including unsecured dormant accounts and former employees retaining access to sensitive systems like accounting platforms or email servers.
• Why documented procedures, defined responsibilities, and an accurate inventory of equipment and applications are foundational to secure onboarding, offboarding, and overall IT governance.

About Georg Dauterman:Georg believes in the fusion of technology and creativity. With a background in both fields, he started his career in IT departments of publishing and advertising agencies, realizing the critical need for tech aligned with business goals. Joining Valiant in 2004, Georg's expertise and passion for efficiency brought industry recognition. He holds a history degree from Queens College and serves on Datto's Global Partner Advisory Board. Beyond his leadership role, Georg enjoys exploring culinary skills, fitness, and outdoor adventures with his family.

About Megan Quick:Megan is a member of the Valiant Marketing & Sales team, assisting in demonstrating the value of our services and ensuring positive experiences for prospective clients. When not working with technology, she is a theater production manager and performer, producing her own comedy shows, and is an avid writer. Megan has a B.A. in Theater from Sewanee: The University of The South.

• Why managed service providers specialize in either Mac or PC environments, and why Macs hold a strong presence in creative and agency IT ecosystems.
• The key difference between macOS and Windows, including macOS's Unix-based foundation and Apple's tightly integrated hardware-software security model.
• Three important first steps to secure a Mac ecosystem: protecting your Apple ID, creating a dedicated admin account, and enabling full-disk encryption with FileVault.
• The benefits of encryption, and how it scrambles data using a cryptographic key to protect sensitive information if a device is lost or stolen.
• How to approach macOS updates strategically, including why businesses should avoid day-one releases and follow a 90-day deployment cycle.
• How to secure company data on employee-owned iPhones and iPads through clear policies and mobile device management solutions.
• Why modern Mac hardware often delivers a longer lifecycle and lower total cost of ownership.
• The security risks of hybrid Mac and PC environments, and why under-managing Mac security compared to Windows can create hidden vulnerabilities.

About Georg Dauterman: Georg believes in the fusion of technology and creativity. With a background in both fields, he started his career in IT departments of publishing and advertising agencies, realizing the critical need for tech aligned with business goals. Joining Valiant in 2004, Georg's expertise and passion for efficiency brought industry recognition. He holds a history degree from Queens College and serves on Datto's Global Partner Advisory Board. Beyond his leadership role, Georg enjoys exploring culinary skills, fitness, and outdoor adventures with his family.

About Megan Quick: Megan is a member of the Valiant Marketing & Sales team, assisting in demonstrating the value of our services and ensuring positive experiences for prospective clients. When not working with technology, she is a theater production manager and performer, producing her own comedy shows, and is an avid writer. Megan has a B.A. in Theater from Sewanee: The University of The South.

• How to manage contractors with the same IT security rigor as full-time employees.
• Three essential IT onboarding steps, including defining role-based tech profiles, applying the concept of least privilege, and documenting contract timelines.
• How strong NDAs and predefined access permissions reduce legal risk and prevent contractors from holding sensitive work or data hostage.
• Why issuing company-controlled devices or virtual desktops strengthens cybersecurity and simplifies offboarding.
• How undocumented systems and generic logins create vulnerability, and how extending internal security policies to third parties mitigates risk.
• Why close coordination between HR and IT with a firm access end date is the most critical step in secure contractor offboarding.
• How a small investment in upfront IT planning can prevent major security, compliance, and operational issues down the road.

About Georg Dauterman:Georg believes in the fusion of technology and creativity. With a background in both fields, he started his career in IT departments of publishing and advertising agencies, realizing the critical need for tech aligned with business goals. Joining Valiant in 2004, Georg's expertise and passion for efficiency brought industry recognition. He holds a history degree from Queens College and serves on Datto's Global Partner Advisory Board. Beyond his leadership role, Georg enjoys exploring culinary skills, fitness, and outdoor adventures with his family.

About Megan Quick:Megan is a member of the Valiant Marketing & Sales team, assisting in demonstrating the value of our services and ensuring positive experiences for prospective clients. When not working with technology, she is a theater production manager and performer, producing her own comedy shows, and is an avid writer. Megan has a B.A. in Theater from Sewanee: The University of The South.

• Why managed IT is important for creative and PR agencies, and how secure IT infrastructure protects client data and supports creative work.
• The biggest challenges agencies currently face, including compliance risk, cybersecurity gaps, and inefficient systems.
• How master service agreements can expose agencies to hidden legal and data security risks.
• Why agencies undervalue data from client information to employee and financial records, and how you can protect it.
• How poor IT processes create friction in onboarding, offboarding, and day to day operations.
• Common mistakes growing agencies make, including using high-level executives for basic IT tasks.
• When to hire a managed service provider and the signs you've outgrown DIY IT.
• Three steps to take to strengthen your agency's IT foundation, including system audits, cloud security reviews, and documented onboarding processes.