The IT Director's Playbook

In this episode of The IT Director’s Playbook, we sit down with Matt McQuay, Director of Technology for Andalusia City Schools, AL.

Matt has been a long time partner and friend and gave us an awesome interview covering his back story and much more.

We talk about E-Rate and why it matters so much to school networks, firewalls and student data. Matt is also Andalusia’s safety coordinator, and he explains why he sees safety as an extension of technology.

He also talks about how fast word travels among Alabama tech directors when there’s an outage or a scam.

We think Matt has a lot of value to offer those in IT and Ed Tech and we hope you enjoy it!Real stories.

Real lessons. Real IT leadership.

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This episode of The IT Director’s Playbook is a little different. We sit down with Brian Cain, Head of School at N.E. Miles Jewish Day School and a longtime educator and school administrator, for a conversation about what actually makes a school work.

Brian shares lessons from more than three decades in education. We bounce from hiring and retaining great people, to building culture, creating safer schools, using technology wisely, and remembering that relationships are behind just about everything we do.

We also talk about school safety from the perspective of someone who has lived through some incredibly difficult situations, what IT leaders can learn from administrators, and why taking care of yourself matters if you plan on taking care of everybody else.

Because it’s Brian, none of this gets overly serious for too long. The school bell goes off twice in the middle of the conversation… which felt way too appropriate to cut… and we also appreciate the “Stress Reliever: Bang Head Here” sign hanging behind us. There’s plenty of wisdom and plenty of laughs here!

Brian was also the guest speaker for our recent Ambit Director’s Summit and we are so appreciative of his wisdom and insight.

Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership.

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In this episode of The IT Director's Playbook, we sit down with Michelle Krieger, Data Protection Officer for Lake Shore Central School District in New York and the keynote speaker at the TETA Summer Institute 2026, where this interview was recorded.Michelle has spent her career as a special education teacher, technology integration specialist, IT director, and now one of New York's first dedicated Data Protection Officers. As states across the country begin paying closer attention to student data privacy, AI governance, and cybersecurity, she shares why she believes this shift is coming to school districts nationwide.We discuss what a Data Protection Officer actually does, why data privacy is no longer just an IT responsibility, and how district leaders can begin building a culture of digital trust. Michelle also shares practical advice on AI policies, vendor management, governance teams, staff training, incident response, phishing awareness, ransomware recovery, and why every district should be thinking about protecting student data long before legislation requires it.Whether you're an IT Director, Superintendent, Technology Coordinator, or school leader, this conversation offers practical ideas you can begin implementing immediately—regardless of your district's size or budget.Michelle's BookAvailable on Amazon:From Chalk Dust to Digital TrustFrom Chalk Dust to Digital Trust: A Guide in Data Privacy and Security for K-12 LeadersReal conversations. Real leadership. Real solutions for K-12 technology.Powered by Ambit Solutions.

In this episode, we sit down with Chad Penson, IT Director at Neshoba County Schools MS, for one of the most honest and powerful conversations we’ve had on the show yet.

Chad shares his unconventional journey into K-12 technology leadership—from becoming a father in high school and repairing computers after class, to leading one of Mississippi’s largest school campuses and rebuilding an entire district network after a devastating cyberattack.

We talk about building strong relationships with superintendents, creating an in-house IT culture, surviving ransomware attacks, learning through failure, and why humility matters more than pretending to know everything.

Chad also opens up about the emotional toll of cybersecurity incidents, the importance of Mississippi’s K-12 tech community through METLA and MECA, and the leadership lessons he’s learned over nearly three decades in education technology.

Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership.

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In this special episode of The IT Director’s Playbook, we step away from our usual IT director interviews and sit down with Craig Reeves, founder and CEO of Ambit Solutions, along with Stephen Reeves, now President of Ambit Solutions, to tell the story behind the company that powers this podcast.

Craig shares how Ambit got its start during one of the worst financial crises in modern history, how a simple open-source phone system turned into a new business, and how one early school district helped launch a 20-year journey serving K-12 schools across Alabama and the Southeast. Stephen shares what it means to step into leadership, carry the vision forward, and continue building on a foundation of trust, service, and long-term partnership.

Together, they talk about why Ambit never forced customers into contracts, why relationships matter more than products, how IT directors shaped Ambit’s roadmap, and why the future of telecom in schools is increasingly tied to life safety, NG911, E911 compliance, intercom integration, and emergency response.

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the philosophy, people, and customer-first mindset that built Ambit Solutions.

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In this episode of The IT Director’s Playbook, we sit down with the tech leadership team from Williamson County Schools, TN—Director Tim McNeese and Supervisors Nick Lunn and Ryan Florida—for a rich conversation on building culture, scaling operations, and leading with people-first IT.

With 52 schools, 43,000 students, and a tech staff of 51, they unpack how trust, empathy, and servant leadership have shaped a low-turnover, high-impact department. We talk cybersecurity, network design, AI and cell phone policies, and why they care more about emotional intelligence than certifications when hiring.

If you’re an IT Director trying to scale, serve, or simply stay sane—this one’s for you.

Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership.

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In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Kingston, Chief Technology Officer for Alabaster City Schools, AL, to hear how a former pro basketball player turned break-fix tech built a 28-year career leading K-12 technology — from lone ranger to managing a full IT team in one of Alabama’s fastest-growing school districts.

Anthony shares why every great tech team starts with people skills, how staying calm in a crisis builds trust, and what vendors often get wrong when working with schools. From stadium fiber installs to emergency alert systems, he unpacks what it means to lead with humility, build for the future, and invest in the next generation.

Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership.Powered by Ambit Solutions

In this episode, we sit down with Todd Sanderson, Technology Director at Marshall County Schools, MS. Todd’s journey didn’t start in a server room—it started in the classroom and on the baseball field. From teaching middle school science to pulling cable and leading a district-wide security camera rollout, Todd shares how empathy, flexibility, and a willingness to learn have shaped his path.

We talk about the chaos of August, what it’s like running IT with a tiny team, why standardized systems save your sanity, and the steep price districts pay (literally and mentally) to fight cyber threats.

You’ll hear about big wins, painful mistakes (including one intercom project Todd still regrets), and why personality sometimes beats experience when hiring for tech teams.

Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership.

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In this premiere episode, we sit down with Patrick Robinson, Director of Technology at Jones County Schools, MS, to talk through nearly three decades of K-12 tech evolution—from hand-pulling coax and rebuilding servers in flip-flops after a fire, to launching 10G networks and navigating a pandemic.

Patrick shares what it takes to build a rock-solid IT team, why relationships matter more than gear specs, and how growing future tech leaders starts with listening and mentorship.

You'll laugh, you'll learn, and you might even want to buy a crossbow by the end.

🎧 Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership.