Mike Stroud
Systems Engineer
I was born in Abilene TX into an Air Force family and lived in 10 different states before joining the Air Force myself and serving seven years as an Instructor Pilot. After separating from the Air Force in 1991, I moved out west and worked as a Civil Engineer. That is where I developed an interest in computer networks. I started my IT career as a school employee at Uinta County School District #1 in Evanston, WY. In 2004, I had the opportunity to join Pine Cove Consulting. In this role I have been able to specialize in Network Engineering (design, implementation, and troubleshooting).
What do you love about Pine Cove Consulting?
Pine Cove is a small company that feels more like a family than just a group of employees. Everybody knows everyone else, and the CEO of the company won't fire you if you beat him in a round of golf!
What is a typical day at Pine Cove like for you?
The only thing typical about a day working at Pine Cove is that I know I will be working with some kind of technology. We have so many different kinds of customers, and every one is unique. Different brand of servers, different brand of network equipment, different configurations, etc. The challenge that I love so much is being able to talk to the customer and find out how they want things to work, then figure out and implement an efficient solution that makes them feel comfortable (more than one way to skin a cat!). One day I may be at a computer in Kemmerer WY trying to figure out a problem with a network in Anaconda MT, or Sheridan WY. Then into a network in Ethete WY preparing the network for a new security system or voice over IP solution. The next day I may need to travel 8 hours to configure and install a network at a new school. Every day is full of new challenges.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Recently I began flying again. This time in my own personal airplane. I also enjoy fly fishing, hunting, and golf (although the older I get, the less frequently I do those activities). Flying and building a second airplane occupies most of my spare time now.
