Candidate Statement for LOPSA Board 2015

Two years ago, I felt that LOPSA was poised for growth.  I was a bit early in that assessment as LOPSA was still burdened by debt that limited its ability to focus on the future.  That debt is now paid off and LOPSA can focus on the future – our future as system admins.  If relected, my goal is to help LOPSA re-align itself with where system administration is now and will be in the future; to support system admin education and new system admins just starting out; and to help LOPSA find a voice for itself.

Over the last few years, I have represented LOPSA at several conferences both working the booth and giving presentations at ACPENW, LinuxfestNW, Cascadia IT Conference, SCALE, and LISA.  I feel that LOPSA's strength is its ability of its more experienced members to help train and shape young system admins.  I have written and given a presentation on what a system admin is and does to college students.  I am a mentor to several system admins via the mentorship program and also helped to start and am now teaching new system admins at Bellevue College's 4 year degree program in system administration.  At my work, I have 3 system admin interns working for me and last year had two other interns 'graduate' into full time jobs in our field.

I have worked as a system admin since 1982 for large and small companies in the private, public, and education domains.  I spent 10 years as a hands on IT Manager/Director before deciding to return to system administration full time.  I am currently the senior system admin at a K-12 school district.  For fun I enjoy hiking and am a field qualified team leader of King County Search and Rescue.

Please contact me at ski98033 on IRC and most IM services or drop me at email at ski@lopsa.org with your questions, comments, or ideas.  Thanks for considering me for your board.