IT Leadership Spotlight: Ken Neff, IT manager, Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

Where are you from originally?

I was born in Salt Lake City and have lived in the Salt Lake Valley my entire life. I was raised on the west side of the valley and moved to the southeast side, closer to the University of Utah, 12 years ago.

What led you to the University of Utah?

I was working as an IT director at a struggling genetic testing and research laboratory when I started looking for better opportunities. Perfect timing to find the IT manager position open at Red Butte Garden & Aboretum, which was an ideal fit for my experience and strengths.

Can you describe the path you took to IT leadership?

Twenty-five years ago, at the beginning of the year 2000, I transitioned from a technology-based job to my first real IT position. I was an IT specialist on a team of three at a digital marketing and printing business, supporting approximately 100 users. Six months later, however, the IT manager was dismissed. The company president then asked me to manage the IT department. I quickly learned a lot through necessity, with significant effort and hours invested. Nine years later, the company was acquired, and I moved on to directing and managing IT for several startups, most of which were genetic testing and research companies, for many years.

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

I like to advocate for and represent my team. I try to ensure that individual team members receive credit or praise for their projects or service. I never miss an opportunity to name-drop my team members in meetings or conversations. I trust my team to do their best and know that I’m here to support them with what they need, to assist them with project management and planning, mediate conflicts if needed, and represent them to directors and managers.

As for a philosophy, I believe that IT services should be as invisible as possible, silently helping staff to do their work, without impeding them. However, IT support should be visibly available, effectively, professionally, and respectfully providing timely customer service.

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

With my background in IT administration at startup businesses, being a part of helping them grow and succeed, I enjoy helping Red Butte Garden grow and thrive. We are all about growing here, pun intended. We have plans and desires to be a world-renowned botanical garden and educational resource for Utah and beyond. It is great to be part of that by providing the IT services and support necessary for growth.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

The most challenging part of my job is providing IT services and support with minimal lead time or planning. I find it challenging because I always want to provide the best service possible, which often requires additional time. As a nonprofit organization, Red Butte Garden may sometimes have limited staffing or budget constraints, so we don’t always have the luxury of longer project lead times and implementation periods.

What are some of your hobbies?

My absolute favorite pastime is spending time with my 2½-year-old daughter, no matter what we end up doing — reading, playing, coloring, shopping, dancing, singing, napping, etc. My wife and I have season tickets to Broadway Across America shows at Eccles Theater, so every couple of months, we get to see a touring Broadway show. I also love live music and concerts. I happen to work at one of the best concert venues in Utah, but I sometimes travel regionally to see my favorite artists. I love dogs — we have three — and we like to go on walks with them or play in the yard.

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

After the Y2K hysteria didn’t result in a computer-caused apocalypse in the year 2000, I went all in on the “new millennium” thing. I became vegan, I got my first IT job that March, I bought my first home that fall, and I adopted two cats and a dog to occupy the new home.

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

I currently have the best IT team I’ve ever been part of. I’m proud of the services and support we provide. When I told co-workers at my former employer that I was leaving for Red Butte Garden, one of them said, “That is the perfect place for you.” I think about that on occasion, when I’m strolling through the garden or enjoying live music under the stars, and I believe she was right.

 

Node 4 Search