You've Been Heard

is an amalgamation of paradoxes with an exceptional ability to rise above uncertainty and instability to solve complex and ever changing problems. He holds a professional background in IT Operations & Management, project management for technology, residential and heavy civil construction, information security, and software deployment and Implementation. And while he came to the technology field later in life, it has been the most rewarding career field.

In IT, you’ll get used to putting out emerging fires. On this episode of the Dissecting Popular IT Nerds Podcast, discover a better way to manage this stress by asking the right questions before bringing a solution to management. Guest Colin Keys, high-level IT director, shows how to suit up your solutions–whether you’re an outsider just entering IT or a veteran of tech. Tune in with host Phil Howard and determine how to discern trustworthy vendors, drop the stigma around mental health at work, and as a bonus: talk about new, 3D-printed goggles.

An experienced and proven leader and a sophisticated and tested problem solver, his experience is best described as the following: herder of cats, soldier, father, husband, and forever learner.

Despite the fact that IT is a customer service-based job, IT people are commonly not people people. This needs to change! Join the conversation between our host, Phil Howard, and guest and management expert, Tom Watson. Tom shares powerful advice on how you need to be a different kind of manager now than the world is used to, starting by questioning your existence in IT multiple times daily and never dwelling in your comfort zone. Though it sounds daunting, Tom will show us how you can easily realign what you ask and what you do to become more efficient workers and greater leaders in the IT workforce.

is an innovative Information Technology Executive with progressively responsible experience in enterprise information technology (IT) infrastructure, cloud security, operations, and M&A. He brings a record of delivering world-class IT systems and processes aligning with business requirements and providing a competitive advantage. Michael is known for his collaborative style in developing and communicating roadmaps and driving them through to execution, successfully building and leading high-performing, autonomous teams that consistently deliver results on time and within budget while developing them into emerging leaders.

It’s time for you to learn when to shut off and nix that corporate 8-5 office job model by asking clients the right questions.  Join host Phil Howard and his guest, Michael Wahl, on this Dissecting Popular IT Nerds episode to take from Michael’s first-hand discoveries on optimizing automation and setting personal boundaries. Get out of work at 4:30 every day and be a better spouse and parent when you do.

With 19 years of experience in Information Technology, Michael has helped guide organizations to develop secure and stable enterprise systems using best practice design, proactive support and cost-effective, scalable architecture. He is self-motivated and team-focused. Michael empowers his team and uses performance based management to improve their skills and increase company productivity.

is the strategic senior IT leader with expertise in developing and managing programs and project plans and leading enterprise-wide IT initiatives. He ensures tasks and milestones are being achieved promptly and prepares project status reports, presentations, and agendas, ensuring alignment and strategic communication with internal and external partners. His strong capacity to build high-performing teams encouraging appropriate use of project management methodologies has increased efficiency and effectivenes

Phil Howard, host of Dissecting Popular IT Nerds, brings on “the Vendor Whisperer.”

Senior network manager of CK Restaurants Adam Morton shows you what it really takes to keep large-scale tech in the foodservice industry functioning. Adam will demonstrate why you need to keep managers accountable across the board (even if it’s uncomfortable) through client-focused platforms that don’t rely solely on Meraki alerts.

Greg is currently leading the Infrastructure team at Strike Construction. He has implemented Cato Networks, migrations to RingCentral and M365, Mitel phone systems, VS Code, Storage Spaces Direct clusters, and various Azure services. A problem-solver at heart, Greg has a breadth of knowledge that enables me to communicate with people at all levels of business effectively.

From rudderless to reanimated: Today on the podcast, Dissecting Popular IT Nerds, we’re going to hear how to put meaning back into what you do at IT.

Experienced IT manager Greg Altman decided in his 50s to drop his job of 29 years for an exciting change. Join Greg and host Phil Howard as they share what it means to feel healthy pressure versus bad stress and explain why you need to consistently ask yourself “Why am I here?”  Discover the effects of opportunity, what role this senior technician is going to take in the future, and even talk about motorcycles.

Daniel is responsible for the successful completion of strategic initiatives around all aspects of IT, information architecture, knowledge management, and process improvement. With over two decades of experience in the technology field, he’s not only managed highly technical projects but also put an intentional focus on fostering healthy cultures, developing passionate people, and creating powerful technology capabilities that have directly benefited thousands of users.

This Dissecting Popular IT Nerds Podcast is on leading the right way, introducing guest Daniel Millbank, an expert in IT management, as he and host Phil Howard discuss what it really takes to foster digital transformation in your workplace.  Discover why you MUST utilize every single person on the payroll, from dock worker to CEO. Set up a real productivity framework and make a plan to find the people who support your company vision ASAP. Uncover practices that turn C and D players into A-gamers. Ultimately, see how elevated company morale and hyper-productivity begins

George is the Director of information technology at HZO, a global company that delivers world-class water-proof nanocoating solutions that safeguard electronics, electrical products & critical applications in an ever-changing market. His position in IT is the highest leadership position within the organization in charge of information technology operations and vision for the future direction. George leads multiple teams across the globe tasked with supporting business operations.

Here at Dissecting Popular IT Nerds Podcast, our host, Phil Howard, is up and ready to roll–despite having caught the COVID-19 variant. Join him and guest George Bica, director of information technology, to identify common pitfalls and practices that George has noticed from managing over six people personally in a 500-employee tech business. Find out why you should better balance your home life as priority over work life, the best practices George has ever used as a director, and even how he managed to overcome the Great Firewall of China.

Al Gardner is the Vice President of Information Technology and Security for Denver-based Inspirato.  Mr. Gardner  specializes in strategic IT management and overall network operations management. Al is a passionate coach and mentor who has a reputation for building and motivating highly effective teams by creating a culture built on integrity, compassion, innovation, and performance.  Al successfully led Inspirato technology operations through the stages and innovations that will result in a 2022 IPO. Al is a seasoned presenter and speaks regularly at technology and management conferences on subjects that focus on management and technology strategies.

We kick off Dissecting Popular IT Nerds Podcast with an expert in team management and IT, both academically and with years of hands-on personal experience, to show you how you should present your IT solutions so that CEOs will take you seriously.

Join host Phil Howard for his discussion with his guest, Al Gardner, as they hash out how you can break the stigma around IT as a mere “irritation.” Get Al’s advice on instilling truth and personality in your team members, where he offers tested methods to connect with other company units who don’t speak the IT language.