IT Leadership Spotlight: James Reynolds, senior systems administrator, School of Biological Sciences, and board member, IT Professionals Forum

Where are you from originally?

I have lived in the Salt Lake Valley almost my entire life. I went to Glendale Junior High and graduated from East High.

What post-secondary degrees or certifications do you have, in what subjects, and from which schools?

I received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Utah, and I completed a year of graduate school and worked as a teaching assistant. I also took a few classes from the School of Computing.

Regarding IT, I owe a debt of gratitude to Randy Madsen and especially Richard Glaser. Randy helped train me in basic information technology, about which I was completely ignorant when I started my IT career. Richard also taught me and ensured that I could attend many high-quality classes and conferences, including 12 or 13 of Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conferences. Richard also gave me many opportunities to teach short courses at Marriott Library, and I continue to present at Mac Managers. I always learn so much doing that. Out of all the classes I took, I only got one certificate for macOS, and it was so long ago, it doesn’t count for anything now. I’ve also been highly motivated to learn a lot on my own, including computer science topics like graphics, IT security, networking, and now artificial intelligence (AI).

What led you to the University of Utah?

I came for the education and never left. As a senior, I was hired at the Music Department’s Listening Lab (now the School of Music McKay Music Library). I handed out music CDs to other students and played around on the staff computer, which ran macOS 8 and wasn’t secure. I modded it, put a pirate eye patch on the smiling Mac guy, and drew a worm coming out of the Apple menu. I suppose either this or the database work I did on that computer caught the attention of the IT staff at the College of Fine Arts. They hired me, and that’s when I made the switch to computers for my career path. I worked at Fine Arts for almost a year, then Marriott Library for 14 years, and I’ve been at the School of Biological Sciences for 10 years.

Can you describe the path you took to IT leadership?

I’ve been taught to be a leader my whole life, especially in Boy Scouts. But I always thought I was a horrible leader because I could never get anyone to do what I wanted, which was my childhood idea of what it meant to be a leader. I eventually learned what introverts and extroverts were and that I was an introvert. Since then, I haven’t tried to be a leader. In my 24 years working at the university, however, I’ve had the opportunity to work for such amazing people, and as they retire, I feel the vacuum left behind and I have been motivated to try to fill in the void where I can. I’m lucky that I’ve been allowed to offer my hand a little to try to make our campus IT community a better place as an IT Professionals Forum Board of Directors member.

How would you describe your leadership style and/or philosophy?

My idea of a good leader is someone who encourages and inspires people to be their best. Sometimes, a good leader has to correct, but only when saying nothing is worse, and it’s always done with an attitude of helping, not diminishing, the other person. Good leaders are examples by being the best they can be and by taking responsibility when they aren’t.

What do you enjoy most about your role at the U?

The university exists to educate and conduct research. We contribute to this by making sure faculty are happy with their computing devices and can use them to do their jobs as effectively as possible. Within this context, the IT community thrives when we socialize, share our knowledge, and work hard to assist student education and faculty research. Almost everyone I’ve met in IT loves to help others or make things better. Our collective efforts, even if not publicly recognized, make working here one of the most rewarding jobs.

I loved physics and chemistry in high school. Biology seemed strange and chaotic to me. Ironically, I ended up working for Biology. I’ve been at Biology for 10 years and I love it. I love the plants and the neurology. OK, I’m not so fond of the creepy crawlies under the microscopes. But I love that I’m contributing to what’s going on here. I love the pursuit of knowledge, and I love the arts. I love that many computer pioneers spent time at the U and did things like invent computer graphics. The first artificial heart transplant intended to be permanent was performed here. Genetically modified “knockout” mice were first created here. I feel like I’m part of a community that includes some of the smartest and noblest people on Earth. I just love the community we have here. And I love that I get to contribute to it.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

People not getting along.

What are some of your hobbies?

Well, as I’ve been sitting here thinking about my answers, I’ve been twisting and turning a Rubik’s cube and occasionally solving it. I love board and card games. I love the outdoors, camping, hiking, and biking. I play around with computer animation. Computer security is like a work hobby. AI is sort of a hobby. I love knowledge, especially history. I love teaching and those moments when people see what you are trying to show them. Music is more than a hobby for me. I conduct music at church, sing in a choir, and play the clarinet. Music is an extroverted activity; I kind of turn into a different person when I do music.

Is there a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share?

Around 2010, I was a member of the Utah Symphony Chorus, and we sang Verdi’s “Messa da Requiem” and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. They are two of the greatest pieces of music ever written, and being able to sing them with the Utah Symphony was a highlight of my life.

Is there anything else that you think our readers would like to know about you?

The idea that AI can give us human companionship is one of the most inhuman ideas we’ve ever come up with, especially when it comes to youth, senior, or hospice care. Please treat AI as technology and don’t ever pretend that anyone can make a human bond with it. OK, if you’re alone on a deserted island, fine, it might be as good as “Wilson.” But if actual flesh and blood people are around you, don’t try to get from a word blender what you can get from a messy, difficult but emotionally rewarding person.

 

Node 4 Search