You've got a lot of Nerd
By Hill Country Tech Guys
You've got a lot of NerdFeb 18, 2022
You've Got A Lot Of Nerd - Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan Miguez
Today we had the chance to catch up with one of our Service Concierge techs, Michael Jordan Miguez. We talked about a lot of different ideas including: Mexico, Mexico’s history, Aztecs, WWII, baseball, basketball, Michael’s hobbies, Michael’s past work experience, what brought him to HCTG and what the Service Concierge position does to help the customer. Michael is our 2nd guest back and we appreciate him helping us get the podcast back in action!
You've Got A Lot Of Nerd - Alec Luna
Today we had the opportunity to speak with Alec Luna. We discussed a lot of different topics including: football, sports related injuries, rugby, gym, work ethic, living in San Marcos, what it’s like to work in IT, and how Alec got into IT. This was our first podcast in almost 6 months and ended up being a lot of fun!
Stephanie Burns - Registered Dietitian
Today we interviewed award-winning Registered Dietitian, Stephanie Burns. This conversation was interesting, informative, and some of the most fun I’ve had so far on the podcast. We discussed a wide range of topics that included the Keto diet, Carnivore diet, low fat diets, the Mediterranean diet, strokes, the long term effects of poor nutrition on not only yourself but your family, making healthier food choices, learning to love the grind, making lots of small sustainable changes to become healthier, that failure is part of becoming healthier, meal planning, what Stephanie and I do at home to be healthier, that meal planning doesn’t have to be difficult – it just takes time and is a skill to be learned, yoga, wine drinking, yoga AND wine drinking, and our kids almost being run over by a driverless car.
Mark Jordan - Security Guy with a Camera
Today we spoke with our Director of Cybersecurity Mark Jordan. As you can guess we spent a significant amount of time discussing cybersecurity, specifically, what is required to make your company more defensible, that being 100% isn’t a reality, risk mitigation, and steering the word “Hacker” back to it’s proper use as a positive attribute instead of it’s negative connotation as a generic negative cybersecurity Threat Actor. We also got to jump in a little to Mark’s hobby of photography.
As always, I learned a lot from my conversation with Mark, and hope you do the same!
Dr. Robert Tally - "J.R.R Tolkien Historian"
By far my favorite podcast of the 40 or so episodes we’ve done so far, today we spoke with Dr. Robert Tally, a literature professor who teaches a Tolkien class at Texas State University. We spend nearly two and half hours discussing all things Tolkien, including Tolkien’s childhood, various jobs that Tolkien took before writing The Hobbit, the background story to The Hobbit, how Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit are intertwined, his writing style, and so, so much more. We didn’t even get to Dr. Tally’s questionable sympathies towards Orcs and Saruman!
If you don’t learn something about Tolkien or the Lord of the Rings universe, you’re a LOTR wizard or you weren’t paying attention.
Man, this podcast was so much fun. If you haven’t listened in awhile or were waiting for us to do something really cool, THIS IS IT. Load the podcast up on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or wherever you listen.
Also, take a look at Dr. Tally’s latest book, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Realizing History Through Fantasy (A Critical Companion). I read it, and it’s a quick, fun read that is very informative and provides insight into why and how Tolkien made some of his creative decisions throughout the series.
Once again, thanks for your support!
Kyndal Cheatham - Cafe Racer
Today we got to speak with Kyndal Cheatham, Hill Country Tech Guys new Project Manager. We got to talking about a number of subjects that include Riding motorcycles, the dangers of riding motorcycles, hurricanes, working/managing coffee shops and bakeries, engagement stories, and camping.
Kyndal was a lot of fun to talk to and we’re stoked to have her as the newest member of Hill Country Tech Guys!
Michael McDonald "8 Years in the Making"
Today we got to converse Michael McDonald a long-time veteran at Hill Country Tech Guys. Michael is a Tier II technician who’s moved up through the ranks during his tenure here and is currently a NOC technician. We discussed a variety of topics including: Working at an inbound tech support call center, rural ISPs, kids, COVID, the process of getting licensed to Foster to Adopt, actually completing the adoptions, what it’s like to have both parents who are psychologists, being an introvert, social anxiety, stuttering, speech coaches, and dinosaurs.
Michael was a great guest today and was a lot fun to talk to!
Max Sanchez - Return of the Max
Today we got the chance to interview Max Sanchez, our new Support Service Manager and previous NOC manager. Max and I discussed working in the oil fields, working at Rackspace, Hurricanes and the devastation left behind, FEMA and its ability to help get a community back on its feet, Galveston, what it’s like to work at AWS, dinosaurs, AI and time travel.
We’re stoked to have Max back on the team and look forward to him doing a great job as our Support Service Manager!
Laura Lamb - Anthropologist
Today we spoke Laura Lamb, Hill Country Tech Guys Director of Finance and Administration. We talked about a whole lot of different subjects including: How she got into finance while working for the Howard Hughes Corporation, earning a degree in Anthropology, study recently dead people vs really dead people, diets and illnesses in ancient Chilean mummies, gun rights and ownership, freedoms in Texas vs the other parts of the United States, moving and living all over the United States as part of an Air Force family and that she was born in the Netherlands.
Will Burns - Rugby Playing Space Man
Today the tables are turned, and I’m interviewed by Hill Country Tech Guy’s TJ Hines. Discussion with TJ are always fun, and this conversation was no different. We discussed a fair number of topics including dinosaurs, space, how life originated on Earth, what I do at HCTG, how I got to HCTG, working on scaffolds, trying really hard but not becoming a teacher, how to motivate people, what it took to as a team to develop the BU I managed into a success, Marvel vs. DC and how I’ve watched very few of the movies, how busy life is, how kids like what they like and it’s generally not what I like, the Astros, more stuff, and did I mention DINOSAURS!?
TJ did awesome and I really appreciated him stepping up to the plate to host the podcast!
Matthew Tuck - Tinkerer
Today we got the opportunity to speak with Matthew Tuck, the newest Tier II tech addition to the Hill Country Tech Guys team. We discussed a wide range of topics including: what it’s like to work in security, retro gaming, moving up through the ranks as a tech, Matt’s hobby of taking things apart to learn how it works, and how Raspberry Pi’s can be a great teaching tool for people of all ages on how to code. This was a fun discussion and appreciate Matt’s joining us!
Tyler Merrill - The Mountain Biker
Today we got the chance to talk with Tyler Merrill, one of the newest Tier I techs hired at Hill Country Tech Guys. Tyler has worked in IT for around 10 years including stints at USAA and Fort Sam Houston. We discussed several topics including: his hobby of mountain biking, fantasy vs sci-fi, Stargate Universe’s superiority as the number one Stargate series, the renaissance festival, competition as a tool to better yourself, some deep sea fishing, and camping.
Kanika Washington - Critical Thinking Gamer
Today we spoke with Kanika Washington, a Tier I technician at Hill Country Tech Guys. Kaneka joined the Air Force in 2000 right after graduating high school and spent the next 7 years progressively advancing through the ranks. While in the Air Force she found her way into I.T. and enjoying the work decided to stick with it and make a career of it. We also discussed a few more topics including the, Jackson Mississippi and it’s water issues, politics, how South Korea is a great time for a 20 year old, gaming, and the importance of Critical Thinking and it’s effect on society.
Javares Burton - Future Rugby
Today we spoke with Javarus Burton, the most recent addition to our Tech team. Javarus has an IT background that started with the military in the 101st division. We discussed fewer subjects than we typically do, spent a lot of time talking about football and a whole lot of time discussing rugby. Javarus played running back in high school and convinced his parents to move to Texas to pursue his dream of playing at the highest level he could. We also reviewed the ins and outs of rugby, how many people play on a team, what each position entails, the national and regional level structure, and just in general how rugby is the best sport on the planet 😉
This conversation was a lot of fun! Be sure listen in!
Michael Duff - "Florida Man"
Today we interviewed Michael Duff, a schooled IT technician who lives in Florida and is the newest member of the Hill Country Tech Guys team. We discussed his previous experience owning an IT company in Rhode Island, the trials and tribulations of starting a company from scratch, Commadore 64, and the fact that it required basic coding for any functionality, how Rhode Island actually has seasons, cloud migrations, Florida sunsets, deep sea kayak fishing.
TD Smyers - Executive Coach
Today we spoke with TD Smyers. TD hosts his own podcast called, No Cliches, which discusses Bold Leadership and interviews leaders from different industries. TD also is an Executive Coach, with 31 years of Naval Leadership experience, and an additional 10+ years as a CEO for multiple nonprofit organizations.
We reviewed a wide variety of subjects including the Navy, Naval Power Projection, how 9/11 changed the military, the USSR and lifting the Iron Curtain, how creating opposing superpowers is good for growth, that increased manufacturing in America could provide for fulfilling jobs and build a stronger economy, free speech and America’s unique perspective on it, the difference between Leadership and management, how TD runs his Leadership courses and how to learn from your mistakes.
You can listen to TD’s podcast here:
https://aboldleader.com/no-cliches-podcast
Read his blog here:
And find out to have TD help your Leadership team grow here:
Natalie Murphy - The Enthusiastic Journalist
Today we speak with Hill Country Tech Guys newest employee, Natalie Murphy. Natalie is our Content Author who's background includes photography, journalism, and IT. We discuss a wide variety of subjects involving: Photography, newspapers, kids, dogs, cats, nursing, teaching, the sheer amount of teaching jobs available compared to 2008, why we have a teaching shortage, and more.
Josh Kibbe - Golden Tee Enthusiast
Today we spoke with Josh Kibbe, a Tier II on our Support Team. We discussed a few subjects including what it's like to be an escalated tech, guns, and holy moly did we go deep on Golden Tee. I know I shouldn't be surprised, but folks, there's an entire subset of American society that is deeply passionate about Golden Tee. Some people like sports, some people like knitting, others choose the Golden Tee life. We enjoyed getting to learn more about Josh and appreciate him sitting down with us. Thanks Josh!
Hunter White - Military Buff and Middle Earth Historian
Today we talked with Hunter White, a Tier I tech at Hill Country Tech Guys. We discuss his time in the military as an IT tech in the Marines, the war in Ukraine, World War I, World War II, and it turns out Hunter is a bit of a nerd, and not just a little bit. Hunter is an avid LOTR fan, eh…maybe LOTR historian is a better description of the knowledge that he displays on the podcast. We had to keep this one short and to the point due to time constraints, but promise that we’ll have a in-depth Lord of the Rings podcast at a date to be determined. This was a lot of fun and look forward to our next podcast with Hunter!
Mitch Smith - One BadAss Project Tech
Today we spoke with Mitch Smith, who's got some opinions. In one of our best discussions to date we talked about what it takes to be on the infrastructure team, transitioning into IT, diesel engines(apparently Ford's 6.0 is trash), being an member of the elite Navy Search & Rescue team, PTSD from being involved in intense situations as a S&R team member, jumping out of helicopters and breaking bones.
Daniel Ortiz - 25B Transitioned to Civilian IT
Today we spoke with Daniel Ortiz and discussed a wide variety of subjects. They included his time in the Army stationed in South Korea and Afghanistan, working in the medical clinic, the Afghanistan withdrawal, his IT background and goals, working at Hill Country Tech Guys, family, welding, and his short stint as a CDL driver
Nicolas De Toth - Marine Bodybuilder turned IT Tech
Episode 31
Today we discussed a wide variety of subjects including: Being at the Marines boot camp on 9/11, Iraq, bathing with a plastic bag, succeeding in a culinary kitchen, bodybuilding work outs and why rest days are important. Overall one of the best conversations we've had and was a lot of fun! Listen in today or add it to your queue for your commute.
Thanks for your support!
Brooke Brannon - The ADHD University Grad
Today we spoke with Brooke Brannon, a recent Texas State graduate and the executive assistant at Hill Country Tech Guys. We covered a variety of subjects including college, leadership, and growing up in a military family. Brooke also talks about how one time, in Ag class, she had to stick her arm in a cow's...what???
Bryan Miguez - Down Home Music and Cooking
This week Will sits with Bryan Miguez, a new Account Manager. They discuss a variety of subjects including music, cooking, and sports.
Juan Carlos Hernandez - SOC and Gaming
This week Will sits down with Juan Carlos Rodriguez, a recent Tier II tech hire. They discuss a variety of subjects including Cybersecurity, what it's like to be a SOC employee, and retro gaming.
Ysaac Evans - Working in Customer Support
This week Will chats with another one of our recent hires, Ysaac "Y" Evans. He shares his experiences from working in customer support, why he no longer plays video games, and more.
Will Idar - EMT Turned Tech Guy
This week we have a Will squared episode - featuring our host Will Burns and one of HCTG's newest employees Will Idar. Will I. chats about his previous experiences as an EMT, his love for motorcycles from childhood to now, and geeks out over video games will Will B.
John Hammond - Huntress Highlight
A fun episode featuring John Hammond, a Senior Security Researcher for Huntress. Huntress combines intelligent technology with dedicated ThreatOps experts to protect partners—and their customers—from advanced threats and cyberattacks. We also were joined by Mark Jordan, our Director of Cybersecurity. We chat about cybersecurity, John's YouTube channel, and much more!
Subscribe to John on Youtube where you can also find his other social platforms!
Andrew Alvarez - Blacksmithing and Hunting
This week Will gets to chat with Andrew, one of our Support Service Escalated Techs. Andrew shares more about what it is like being a Tier 2 Tech, sharing hobbies with coworkers, and tries to help Will diagnose what is going wrong with his truck.
Kerri Lytle - *Vendor Highlight* on Momentum Telecom
Another Vendor Highlight podcast featuring Kerri Lytle, a National Channel Manager for Momentum Telecom. Momentum Telecom is a global provider of cloud voice, managed network, and unified communications solutions for business. This episode features a little about Momentum, along with getting to know Kerri.
Mike DePalma - *Vendor Highlight* on Datto
This month we wanted to highlight some of our vendors we use to help with our customer experience. In this week's episode Will gets to sit down with Mike DePalma, Director of Business Development for Datto. Datto is an American cybersecurity and data backup company that we personally use for a number of clients. We get to learn a little more about Datto, along with Mike's experiences both professional and personal.
Stay tuned for more vendor highlight podcast episodes this month!
Rick Gordon - Leasing Cars, Riding Motorcycles, and Driving RC Cars
Another fun filled episode, featuring Rick Gordon, who recently changed titles from Technical Account Manager to our new position of System Sales Engineer. Will and Rick get to chat about his entry into HCTG, leasing cars, motorcycles, his recent trip to Disney World and much more.
Natalie Hell - Growing the Professional Services Team
This week we're featuring our Director of Service Operations, Natalie Hell. Her and Will chat about building up our projects team and operations, her movie obsessions, and much more!
Courtney Blair - Scary Movie Fanatic
This week's episode features Courtney Blair, our Project Coordinator. They get chatting about fitness and nutrition, Courtney's plant obsession, love for scary movies and much more! Courtney was a great guest this week and this episode is a great listen for anyone.
Tarence Hines - Determination is Key
This week's episode features Tarence (TJ) Hines, our newest employee, who has joined us as our Business Development Representative. Tarence and Will chat about his experience in the Navy during the Gulf War, his passion for heath and fitness, and what lead him to obtain his Master's degree. TJ has lived a life full of interesting experiences, and we are excited to have him join our team.
Sarah Shuford - Her Love for Traveling
Sarah Shuford, our procurement manager chats with Will this week about how she came to work at Hill Country Tech Guys and what she loves about the company. She also shares about her previous extreme fitness routine and how she plans to get back into working out with an upcoming Mexico trip on the books.
Jeremy Knight - Fitness and Professional Services
This weeks episode features Jeremy Knight, our Professional Services Technician. Jeremy has been with Hill Country Tech Guys for 2 and a half years now and chats with Will about fitness and working out, D&D, and much more. Give it a listen to learn more about Jeremy!
Jerel Johnson - Navy Tales From a Gunner's Mate
Will gets to chat with Jerel Johnson, one of our Support Service Dispatchers, to have a riveting conversation surrounding his time and experiences in the Navy. He shares stories from his time in deployment and his time after the fact as well.
CamrinWho - The Man Behind the Cam[era]
Will sits down to have a conversation with Camrin Robichaud, an Austin, Tx. based photographer. They chat about his journey to falling in love with photography, musicians, and much more.
Check out some of his content, you definitely won't be disappointed!
Emily Sullivan - Escape rooms and Social Media Marketing
This week Will chats with Emily, the Marketing Coordinator for Hill Country Tech Guys. They discuss how Emily got into marketing, going to graduate school, and forming good habits with the habit loop. She even shares her experiences working in an escape room.
StarWars Super Fans PT 2
You heard Will discuss StarWars with Harrison, now you get to hear two perspectives from two of Will's most StarWars obsessed friends, Harrison and Mike. They got so into it that we had to split it into two parts. This is the second part so if you haven't heard the first, go listen to that and come back to this episode.
StarWars Super Fans PT 1
You heard Will discuss StarWars with Harrison, now you get to hear two perspectives from two of Will's most StarWars obsessed friends, Harrison and Mike. They got so into it that we had to split it into two parts. Part 2 is already available, so once you finish this episode check out the rest of the conversation in Part 2
Current Events - Ukraine and Russia with Dr. Jeremy Roethler
With the current events happening in Ukraine, we had a local Texas State University professor join Will for today's episode. Dr. Roethler is a history professor, with specialties in German, Russian, Western Cultural and Intellectual, and Central-Eastern European studies. He takes us through the history of the two countries, and gives some educated explanations about what is happening and how it came about.
Travis Arnold - Camping and Visiting All Texas State Parks
Will gets a chance to chat with Travis Arnold, our Technical Account Administrator at HCTG. Travis gets a chance to chat about his experiences working for us for over five years, his goal of visiting all Texas State Parks, and his time living in Germany for a part of his childhood.
Jacob Goeppner - Rugby Expo Goes Viral
In today's episode, Will sits down with a good friend Jacob Goeppner to chat about his life journey, how he got his start in rugby, starting his rugby highlight page, Rugby Expo (Rugby Expo).
Follow us on social media!
Whit Ehrich - Starting HCTG From the Ground Up
Our CEO Whit has some awesome life experiences, from starting our company, to building an electric car in the 90's, and much more.
Matthew Stevens - Navy Surfing in San Diego
This episode Will sits down with one of our Support Service Escalated Techs, Matthew Stevens, to talk about his life experiences that lead him to Hill Country Tech Guys. From 20 years and 7 deployments in the Navy, to now married 17 years, to his wife who is also a Navy Veteran with 3 daughters. Matt has had expansive life experiences and we want you to hear them!
Diego the Fuego - Life as a Musician
In this episode Will is joined by local music artist Diego the Fuego. They chat about his start and growth in music, the life of a musician, and so much more about Diego's journey.
Check out Diego the Fuego:
Sara Ehrich - All About the COO of Hill Country Tech Guys
Will sits down with our COO Sara Ehrich to get to know about her background at Hill Country Tech Guys, her love for travel and national parks, and much more about her life.
Nathaniel Marrero - What it's Like in Support Services
This week we sat down with one of our Support Service Dispatcher, Nathaniel Marrero. We got to hear a little about how he got his start here at HCTG, where he wants to be in the next 1-2 years, LAN parties, and much more.