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Darren's Biography(Ann Marie's Bio is here) I got my start in electronics at a young age. I used to tinker around with car radios, lighting systems, and PA's. I had a natural knack for understanding, even at that lowest level, how electronics and such worked. I have since then learned quite a bit more about electronics. Especially where it comes to computers. Computers are my true passion for work and play. I have yet to become bored with them and what I can make them do. I was in the service (Marine Corps) for 9 years. During that time I participated in the Gulf War. I worked on the A-6E aircraft as an electrician. Here is where I really honed my electronics skills. I learned so much in how electrons flow and circuits are comprised. There was really no system that I couldn't troubleshoot. I was put in charge of the night crew as that's where the meat and potatoes of maintenance was performed. My crew consisted of 3 to 10 people of varying skill levels. We were tasked with the maintenance and care of 75+ systems on the aircraft (Fleet of 10 mind you). Our shop had a motto, "if it has a wire running to it, it's probably ours". How did I come to move to New York ? Well, I'm glad you asked. But you'll have to go here to get the answer. After my my tour in the service, I moved up to Long Island, New York. Here I went to the school "Grumman Data Systems" to learn about electronics/computer repair. The electronics portion was a good review for me, but I ended up teaching a good portion of the computer class. And I felt that I hardly knew anything when I started that portion. I then got my first job as a computer builder at a small firm called Flexible Business Systems. There I was given my first real exposure to networks and how they are built. Needless to say, I was hooked. After a few months of building and fixing computers in house, they then promoted me to road technician. There I put my knowledge of systematic troubleshooting and fault analysis to work, and boy did it pay off. I had customers calling and asking for me by name when they needed support. Next I went to a new upstart that was being backed by Tandy. The store was called Computer City. I was the assistant service manager for the repair shop that was located there. We dealt with all types of problems and situations. And being a retail chain didn't make it any easier ! The customer base was brutal to say the least. One person couldn't thank you enough for showing them where the power button was and the next couldn't bitch loud enough when we charged them for performing the work they asked for. Then I went to a computer reseller named Manchester Technologies Inc. I started there as a field technician, similar to the first job. Similar customer base. Larger companies on the average. Then I got a lucky break and transferred to the Internal Support department. Once there I put myself through night class for Netware CNE. I was then given the position of Systems Administrator. Along the way I also learned GroupWise and ZEN Works, as well as other applications. I was with the company for over 5 years before I left. I had been promoted to Manager of Internal Support a few months before I left. A lot more responsibility and more stressful work, but for the most part I still loved what I did. Then I was consulting for a company called ComSys. They had me "sub-contracted" for 3rd level server support working with Novell's Cluster Services. I was working in the city for JP Morgan-Chase. The job was relatively easy, and the pay was good. Then the September 11th incident occurred and put an abrupt end to that. Then after a week "vacation" I was asked to work on a short term contract for another consulting firm, The Javorsky Group in New Jersey at one of their clients in the city, Proskauer Rose LLP. This lasted until the beginning of November. After being out of work for almost the entire month of November, I finally landed a position at a law firm in the New York City. I was hired because of my expertise with GroupWise E-Mail system. My title is "Messaging Specialist (a fancy term for "E-Mail Guy"). The pay wasn't what I was used to, but after being unemployed for so long, anything was a nice break. Now a friend of mine and I are actively engaged in starting up our own partnership, at least on the side as extra income for now. I'll keep you posted as to how it works out. Ann Marie's BiographyAs soon as I get it out of her, it will be posted ! Hopefully soon. Stay tuned.... (still waiting...)
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