IT Leadership Spotlight: Randon Reed, senior systems engineer, Utah Education and Telehealth Network

Reed also is president for the IT Professionals Forum Board of Directors.

Where are you from originally?

I was born and raised in Ogden, Utah, by the mouth of Ogden Canyon and the foothills. I grew up exploring and playing in the Ogden River and foothills above my house.

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

I have a Bachelor of Science in information technology and an MBA. I started in IT with a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE for those who remember those days). I also have a couple of old certs from CompTIA like the A+ and Security+.

What led you to the University of Utah?

I had been an IT manager/IT program manager for several years and worked with schools from around the world so I thought it would be a great fit when I was told about an IT manager position at Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN) where I could continue to work in education but also support the day-to-day needs of Eccles Broadcast Center (EBC). I’d also been a fan of the U for a long time so it was exciting to join such an amazing organization.

Can you describe the path you took to IT leadership?

I started my IT career at a dial-up internet service provider doing tech support and gradually made my way up the chain. I then spent many years as an IT contractor at Hill Air Force Base (AFB), where I progressed from the help desk to a domain admin. After a contract change at the base, I was asked by the new company to be a project manager responsible for the day-to-day IT operations for a couple of organizations. While at Hill AFB, I completed my MBA because I noticed a disconnect between IT and the business world, and I wanted to try to bridge that gap and be able to talk tech and business.

I eventually left Hill AFB for an IT manager position at a school district and later found my way to UETN and the University of Utah.

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

This is probably the toughest question here. I could write a book on my “style and philosophy.”

I’ve had some very good managers over my career who have taught me important lessons on how to run a department and how to treat people. I’ve also had some very poor managers who have taught me how not to run a department and what not to do. I try to treat everyone with respect, and as human, and I know they have a life outside of work. I try to find the strengths and weaknesses of each team member and put them in roles where they can be successful but also where they can be mentored in weaker areas.

I feel it’s best to talk to employees at the start of a problem, so it doesn’t grow into a major issue. I try to make “tough conversations” a positive moment of growth so they don’t resent me or the situation. I never want somebody to dread coming to my office when I ask to meet with them. Many times, I have found that a strong employee is having personal issues that are negatively affecting their work and I was able to immediately adjust things to help them continue to be successful.

I believe that if people are happy then they will do whatever it takes to get the job done. I also believe that a good employee is the most important asset you have as a manager and you do what you can to keep them engaged and learning. I also acknowledge that I don’t know everything and I encourage my employees to look for ways for the team to improve, whether by changing processes or procedures or by bringing in new tools or using our current tools differently.

Ultimately, I try to build up each team member so they can advance in their career goals even if that means I lose them as an employee because it’s what best for them. I just expect them to give me their best along the way.

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

I have a unique position at the university in which I get to wear a few hats. One hat is working with UETN’s Enterprise Operations group as a senior systems engineer supporting its mission of providing services to K-12, higher ed, and other entities across the state. Another hat is supporting the day-to-day IT operations at EBC, where KUER public radio and PBS Utah are broadcast. UETN and a few other groups also work out of EBC, so I get to support them as well.

My last hat is my role with the IT Professionals Forum Board of Directors at the University of Utah. I’ve been on the board for three years and have served as president for the past year. This role has given me the ability to meet a lot of people at the university, but more importantly, it has allowed me to work with other board members in bringing great discussions, trainings, and demos to IT staff who participate.

What do you find most challenging about your job?

The most challenging thing about my job would be the constant change, but that is just the world of IT. Some new thing pops up every time you think you’ve caught up on everything critical, so you feel like you’re always behind on what needs to be done. There are few days when you get to work on things you want to get done because there’s always some type of emergency somewhere that needs attention.

What are some of your hobbies?

I don’t know if this is a hobby or a second job, but I love officiating soccer. I’ve played soccer my whole life and even dabbled with playing in college. I’ve coached from U9 recreation teams up to the high school level. I started reffing several years ago because I stopped coaching and still wanted to be involved with the sport. I mostly officiate high school because I love the atmosphere and getting to work with teams and other officials from all over the state. I was even asked to be the center official for a semifinal game last fall for the girls state championship. I also try to get out and enjoy the outdoors as much as possible, but you’re more likely to find me working on a project around the house.

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

I’m missing the last knuckle on the pointer finger of my left hand due to a chop saw accident that occurred while building a deck for a doctor when I was 19 years old. I also love smoking meat and have mastered, in my opinion, tri-tip roasts and bacon-wrapped asparagus.

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

I’ve been at the university for almost eight years, and it’s been amazing. I love meeting and working with so many different people and it amazes me when I see how long so many of my colleagues have been here. What a testament to how lucky I am to be a part of this great organization!

 

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