Summary
I’m an IT Technician at Walters-Dimmick Petroleum in Michigan with a background in Computer Information Systems and Network Administration. By day I support users, networks, and security — but by night (and weekends) I dive deep into my homelab.
My setup runs like a mini–data center: pfSense firewall with VLANs, IPS, and pfBlockerNG, UniFi Wi-Fi split between main and IoT, and a Proxmox node hosting everything from Wazuh monitoring and Bitwarden to AI models, Home Assistant automations, and even Minecraft/Valheim servers for friends. TrueNAS handles storage, with automated backups keeping daily, weekly, and monthly restore points. On top of that, Docker runs dashboards, the full *arr stack, reverse proxies, and more.
What started as tinkering has become a critical part of daily life — my house literally runs on it (lights follow the sun, motion sensors trigger rooms, fridges and smoke alarms are monitored, and Plex/other services keep my family and friends connected).
I love experimenting, learning, and building systems that “just work.” Someday, though, I’d like to trade it all in for something simpler: a farm full of geese. 🪿
Career Development
Early 2023 - The Homelab
In early 2023, I launched my lifelong homelab project. I invested in enterprise-grade networking gear and a Dell R720 server. What started as a small experiment quickly grew into a platform I rely on every day, customizing and deploying stacked services to fit my needs. Along the way, I’ve completed dozens of projects and gained invaluable hands-on experience that continues to fuel my passion for technology.
Late 2022 - Mountain Technology, LLC
I started a small business as a way to explore online sales and take on freelance projects outside of work. Along the way, I’ve repaired and worked on many computers and phones, and sold dozens of computer parts and software licenses online. Running the business has also given me access to tools and perks that have supported my growth and professional development.
Early 2022 - Graduation and Promotion
While finishing my online classes and working full-time as an IT helpdesk, I was promoted to IT Technician, taking on more responsibilities as a Level 2 for our helpdesk. Then I graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science for Computer Information Systems, with a certificate in Network Administration. After college I continued to contribute to system administration and operations, provided onsite support at our retail locations, and played a key role in reconstructing networks and computer systems during several building and office renovations.
Mid 2021 - Full Time
In 2021, as things began to settle-including the stock markets, I landed a full-time IT role on the helpdesk at Walters-Dimmick Petroleum. While continuing my online classes, I processed thousands of tickets, recommended configuration changes, and applied what I was learning directly to the workplace. During this time, I rewrote and developed several programs and scripts that helped eliminate common ticket generators, proving my ability to create practical solutions.
Late 2019 - Back to School
I was working an unfulfilling job when I decided to enroll in college, choosing Computer Information Systems which was a natural fit for me. I really enjoyed the coursework, took my studies seriously, and earned recognition on the Dean’s List and in the honor society. When Covid-19 disrupted everything and classes shifted online, I used the opportunity to push forward, making major strides in both computer and financial education.
Mid 2018 - Wild West
After high school, I had already spent over five years building computers for friends and had gained even more knowledge through CTE classes focused on IT. I left my high school job when I was offered an unpaid internship at a nearby international paper company. It was during this time that I knew I wanted to pursue a career in IT, though I still had much to learn. These years were critical for my development, helping me figure out the path I wanted to take and giving me the foundation to learn the ropes.