Career Downloads

Episode Information Show NotesHis father got tired of him playing video games. So he threw a book at him. Thirty years later, Dennis Moriarity is Chief Information Officer at Link Technologies in Las Vegas, and the book his dad threw “Learn C in 24 Hours” started everything. Dennis grew up in LA and wanted to be a police officer. He applied to the LA Sheriff’s Department at 18 and didn’t get in. He started a business during the dot-com era, watched it dry up when the bubble burst, then went back to college at 20. He was so far ahead of his classmates that his instructor asked him to teach some of the courses. When he graduated, he landed an internship at Bank of New York, was put on the mainframe team despite being a C and C++ developer, and spent the next 11 years rising from intern to lead developer to production support manager to VP. He was still writing code six years into management. Then his wife wanted out of upstate New York. They moved to Las Vegas. He took a six-month contract at Credit One, then applied for what he expected to be a programmer job at the City of North Las Vegas, just to step away from management. Once he got there, he saw problems everywhere. He told a director he was interested in the IT Director role. The city opened it. He applied and got it. What came next tested everything he thought he knew about leading. WHAT DENNIS MORIARITY DOES NOW:Dennis is Chief Information Officer at Link Technologies in Las Vegas. He helps organizations identify technology gaps and execute projects, and serves as internal CIO for Link advising on technologies to grow the business and better serve clients. KEY INSIGHTS FROM THIS CONVERSATION:Your title doesn’t make you a leaderDennis spent years in management before saying it plainly: “Your position doesn’t make you a leader.” He talks about what leadership actually means — helping people get to a better version of their lives, asking what they want to be when they grow up even if they’re 50, and treating people the way you want to be treated. “I’m not here just to lead the city. I’m here to lead every individual underneath me to a better life.” Being overqualified is not the same as having nothing to learnAt Bank of New York, Dennis was put on the mainframe team even though his background was in C and C++. He thought it was a poor fit. It turned out to be one of the most valuable experiences of his career — not just for the COBOL and JCL, but for what the structured Wall Street environment taught him about planning, change management, and why institutional knowledge exists. Imposter syndrome is really about managing yourselfStepping into the director role at North Las Vegas, Dennis didn’t struggle with infrastructure or help desk or reporting lines. He struggled with himself. “That was the biggest challenge for me as the director. It wasn’t learning the infrastructure. It wasn’t learning help desk or managing any other people. It was managing myself. That was the hardest part.” Build trust by getting the right people in the roomDennis read “Speed of Trust” early in his leadership career and built his whole approach around it. He never asked vendors to come talk to him. He asked them to come talk to his team. “I’m just the pocketbook. That’s all I was. I was the final decision maker on if we were gonna spend the money or not. But my team was gonna tell me if it was gonna help us or not.” Stay quiet until you actually understand what they wantWhether in a client meeting or a team conversation, Dennis’s rule is the same: stay quiet. “The minute you open your mouth, all of your followers are gonna jump to whatever you just said.” He says when he does speak, it lands because Dennis doesn’t like to talk. TOPICS COVERED:• “If you wanna play these, then learn how to make them” the book that started a career• Writing his first email program and falling in love with programming• Wanted to be a police officer: applying to the LA Sheriff’s Department at 18• Going bac...

Episode Information Show Notes Bri Haralson wanted to be a chef. Sixteen years later she’s the Director of SLED at Cribl, one of the most connected people in the Southwest public sector tech community, and about to step into her next leadership role. Nobody mapped this out. That’s kind of the point. Bri grew up in Arizona, one of the rare native Arizonans. She started college for culinary studies at Northern Arizona University, transferred to Scottsdale Culinary, and then got a conversation that changed everything. Her restaurant manager pulled her aside and told her she wasn’t Mary Poppins — meaning she was confident, aggressive in a good way, and built for something beyond the kitchen. She didn’t fully understand it at the time. She went out, talked to people, and landed her first job as a sales training and hiring manager at a startup consulting company during the B2B SEO boom. She had never done it before. She acted as if. Within three years she had helped companies go from zero to seven figures and built sales floors from nothing to 75+ people. She started her career in leadership. From there she took a step back into an individual contributor BDR role — 120 cold calls a day — specifically so she could practice what she had been teaching. She was promoted to first-line leadership within two months. She went on to field sales, won Sales MVP, joined Gartner as one of their youngest field sales reps, and eventually found her home in SLED (state, local, and education) where she has been for 13 of her 16 years in the industry. She calls it her civic duty without civic pay. WHAT BRI HARALSON DOES NOW: Bri is the Director of SLED at Cribl, supporting state, local, and higher education clients in the West. She is also Secretary of SIM Nevada, Central VP of InfraGuard Arizona, and the founder of PubSec Tech — a community organization she built to connect public sector technology professionals across the Southwest without the vendor pitches. KEY INSIGHTS FROM THIS CONVERSATION: Do the work, but make it intentional Bri is direct: do the work is both the best and worst advice she has ever received. The problem is when people interpret it as heads-down isolation. “The work needs to be intentional and meaningful and you need to have influence over what you’re doing. It’s the extra time — the off the field time — that is really where the work is.” Sales is project management “Being an account executive is almost like being a project manager. Like a quarterback — you think he just throws the ball to the person that makes the touchdown. But it takes a lot. They’re running the plays, they’re building the trust with their team.” Bri runs her accounts like a business, coordinating engineers, services, and marketing toward the client’s outcome. Always Be Recruiting Forget ABC — Always Be Closing. Bri lives by ABR. “Always be recruiting. Recruiting for your next job, recruiting for your next hire. Every conversation that we have, every LinkedIn engagement — that is all building up for something in the future.” She believes if you build relationships intentionally over time, you never have to look for your next job. It finds you. Burnout is about misalignment, not volume Bri manages three board-level volunteer roles on top of a full-time director job and three kids. She doesn’t feel burned out. “The moment you start working for people who either don’t lift you up or where it feels exhausting — that’s the stuff I’m not going to do.” The burnout she has experienced in her career came from environments that weren’t aligned with her values, not from being busy. Lead without the title After not getting a leadership role at her previous company, Bri leaned into her volunteer organizations. Looking back: “That was the right decision. It really forced me to step up and look at the things that I was doing and grow as a leader myself. I don’t think I was ready.” She now coaches anyone who wants leadership experi...

Episode Information Show Note Ever wonder how someone goes from desktop support to protecting a professional sports team’s entire digital infrastructure? Andrew Ferrall’s career path shows that there’s no single route to landing your dream job in technology. As IT Security Architect for a professional sports organization, Andrew protects one of the most recognized franchises in professional sports from cyber threats. But his journey there involved building gaming computers in middle school, grinding through help desk tickets at Shuffle Master, taking on MSP work that stretched his abilities, and moving into systems administration before specializing in security. WHAT ANDREW DOES NOW: Andrew leads cybersecurity initiatives for a professional sports organization, handling daily defense operations, compliance requirements, and security evaluations for new technology rollouts. He collaborates with subject matter experts across networking, systems, and other IT specialties to keep the organization’s digital assets secure. KEY INSIGHTS FROM THIS CONVERSATION: Early Career Choices Matter More Than You Think Andrew’s time in desktop support at Shuffle Master taught him troubleshooting under pressure and how to work with different business departments. Those experiences still inform how he communicates complex security concepts to non-technical stakeholders today. Comfort Zones Kill Career Growth Several times in Andrew’s career, he chose challenging roles over comfortable ones. Moving to an MSP meant giving up job security, but the jack-of-all-trades experience built skills that became valuable later, even when the connection wasn’t obvious at the time. Your Career Story Lives on LinkedIn Andrew emphasizes building your professional narrative through LinkedIn. Every role, certification, and project tells recruiters what you’re capable of handling. That digital resume works for you even when you’re not actively job hunting. Imposter Syndrome Often Starts Earlier Than You Think Andrew shares how taking lower-level positions early on can create lasting doubts about your abilities. He learned that meeting even half the requirements in a job description is enough reason to apply. You’ll grow into the role. Learning Never Stops From help desk tickets to cybersecurity architecture, Andrew’s career demonstrates that continuous learning separates people who plateau from those who keep advancing. Early career is the perfect time to take roles specifically for their learning value, even if they don’t pay the most. CAREER PATH TIMELINE: – Middle school/high school: Building gaming computers, discovered technology passion – College: Studied business and information systems, networked actively – First job: Shuffle Master desktop support (learned IT fundamentals) – MSP work: Jack-of-all-trades IT (broadened skill set dramatically) – AGS: Systems Administrator (deepened technical expertise) – Professional Sports Organization: IT Security Architect (current role) TOPICS COVERED: – How building computers as a kid sparked lifelong tech interest – College networking that led to first job opportunity – Starting in desktop support and learning on the job – Moving from generalist IT roles into security specialization – Breaking into sports organization technology – Managing teams and working with subject matter experts – Building your career story through LinkedIn – When to leave comfortable roles for growth opportunities – Dealing with imposter syndrome at different career stages – Making career moves as long-term investments – Staying relevant through continuous learning WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR: – Anyone starting their technology career – IT professionals looking to move into security – People wondering if they should take a challenging role – Anyone dealing with imposter syndrome – Professionals building their LinkedIn presence – Career changers exploring technology roles

Episode Information Show NotesSometimes the career you’re meant for finds you through the most unexpected path.Art Green III, Senior IT Workforce Programs Instructor at Tech Impact, joins Career Downloads to share his journey from college athlete to tech instructor helping disadvantaged students launch IT careers. His story is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and finding fulfillment through service.Guest Background:Art Green III spent his early years as a Division I athlete with dreams of professional sports. When a career-ending injury shattered that identity, he moved to Las Vegas searching for a fresh start. What began as a random job at a travel agency became the unexpected gateway to a 20+ year technology career.Today, Art leads Tech Impact’s IT Works programs in Las Vegas, teaching students from challenging backgrounds the technical and professional skills needed to launch successful IT careers. He also supports instructors across Tech Impact’s locations in Philadelphia, Delaware, and Nashville while developing cutting-edge curriculum including AI training programs.Episode Highlights:Identity Loss and RebuildingArt opens up about the devastating experience of losing his athlete identity after a career-ending injury. Sports had been his entire life since childhood — there was no Plan B. The transition forced him to confront who he was beyond the field and find new purpose.Accidental Entry Into TechNeeding work after moving to Las Vegas, Art took a job as a travel agent. During downtime between calls, his natural curiosity led him to explore the computer systems. He discovered a backend coding interface and taught himself to completely redesign the booking process. That curiosity opened the door to his tech career.The Power of Being the WorstWhen Art started at Dell technical support, he was the worst performer out of 300 technicians. Rather than quitting, he committed to learning. This experience taught him that being the worst in the room is often the best position for growth — a lesson he now shares with his students.Finding Purpose Through TeachingArt’s first taste of teaching came when he trained new Dell hires while traveling the country. He discovered he loved teaching as much as troubleshooting. That seed planted years ago led him to his current role transforming lives through education.Nonprofit vs. For-Profit EducationWorking in for-profit education admissions left Art conflicted. He could spot students who weren’t ready for $80,000 programs but was told to enroll them anyway. The ethical struggle drove him to seek nonprofit education where mission aligned with impact.Tech Impact’s MissionTech Impact’s mission, leveraging technology to create social impact, resonated deeply with Art. The organization serves dislocated, disenfranchised youth, many from difficult circumstances including homelessness. Watching students go from shelters to IT engineering roles at major resorts makes every day meaningful.Student Success StoriesArt shares powerful examples of transformation: students who started the program homeless now working as IT engineers at Las Vegas resorts. The mentorship component brings industry professionals into students’ lives, creating relationships and opportunities that extend far beyond technical training.Authentic Recruiting PhilosophyArt’s approach to student recruiting shifted from begging people to enroll to presenting genuine opportunities. He shares his background and knowledge without selling — creating space for students to make informed decisions about their futures.Key Takeaways:– Your painful experiences often prepare you to help others facing similar challenges– Being the worst performer is an opportunity for accelerated learning– Financial compensation alone won’t sustain you without meaningful work– Transferable skills from past roles apply in unexpected ways– Finding work that creates social impact changes everythingAbout Tech Impact:Tech Impact is a nati...

Episode Information Show NotesMike Green didn’t start out planning a career in technology. As a passionate art student in small-town New York, he faced a tough decision: pursue a field he loved with uncertain job security, or pivot to the growing computer industry. He chose computers, and 25+ years later, he’s never looked back.Today, Mike manages the Digital Services Division for Clark County, Nevada IT, leading four distinct teams that deliver enterprise platforms and applications. His journey from a 16-week network technician program to IT leadership wasn’t smooth. It was filled with layoffs, career pivots, and hard lessons about professional communication.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:Mike shares the moment he realized art might not provide long-term security and decided to explore “a job in computers” (they didn’t call it IT yet). He got his start through a 16-week certification program that included a two-week unpaid internship and recruiting support. His first placement was at a telecom company that eventually became part of Verizon.One of the most memorable parts of Mike’s story is how he learned professional communication the hard way. His first few consulting deliverables at a shipping and transportation company were torn apart by his manager. He was using colloquial phrases, plain language, and missing the professional tone clients expected. The feedback stung, but it transformed how he wrote and communicated with leadership.Mike discusses the value of personality assessments, particularly DISC, which helped him understand not just his own working style but how to adapt to people with different personality traits. This skill became crucial when working with elected officials and diverse teams at Clark County.His commitment to giving back shines through his work with Tech Impact, a Las Vegas organization where he mentors students entering technology. His perspective: “If what I had then got me to where I am now, if I help them with this program now, they will be so much farther ahead of me by the time they’re my age.”KEY TAKEAWAYS:Career transitions require honest assessment of long-term security vs. passionChanging jobs every 3 years built diverse technical experience across systems administration, networking, and leadershipProfessional communication skills separate good technicians from great leadersPersonality assessments (like DISC) provide valuable insight for working with diverse teamsKeep your resume updated and practice interviewing regularly, even when you’re not looking for a jobCommunity involvement and mentorship create lasting impact beyond your own careerThinking two steps ahead helps you spot opportunities before they passAdaptability doesn’t mean losing your authentic self — it means understanding how to work effectively with different peopleService to others provides meaning and helps you work through your own challengesABOUT MIKE GREEN:Mike Green is the IT Manager for Clark County, Nevada, where he oversees the Digital Services Division with four teams focused on enterprise platforms and applications. Since starting in IT in 1998, Mike has built expertise across networking, systems administration, and IT leadership. His career has included roles in telecommunications, education, shipping and transportation, and public sector technology. Mike is actively involved in the Society of Information Managers (SIM) and serves as a mentor for Tech Impact, helping shape the next generation of technology professionals in Las Vegas.CONNECT WITH CAREER DOWNLOADS:New episodes release every Tuesday. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to learn from technology professionals sharing their career journeys. The good, the bad, and the lessons learned along the way. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome, everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about ...

Episode Information Show NotesThe Week That Changed EverythingRay Freeman’s tech career includes a chapter most people would rather forget. After the 2008 financial crisis, Ray lost his job, his wife lost hers, and their six-bedroom Houston house became a financial prison. Eventually, Ray spent a week sleeping in his car while working contract IT jobs.Today, Ray is President and Chief Strategy Officer of RTS Premier Solutions, serving government agencies with AI and cybersecurity solutions. His story isn’t about avoiding failure, it’s about what happens when you refuse to stay down.What Makes This Episode DifferentRay doesn’t tell the sanitized version of his career. He shares the real story: blowing through money faster than he made it, losing everything in five days, and the humbling experience of living out of his car with a George Foreman grill and a rice cooker from Goodwill.But he also shares how those experiences built the resilience, communication skills, and leadership mindset that drive his success today. You’ll hear about getting fired from AT&T for challenging leadership and then being called back by the CTO who vindicated him completely.Key TakeawaysOn Building Confidence:Ray discovered he was smart by accident. After struggling in traditional school, he took Microsoft certification exams on a whim and scored perfect. That moment changed everything. He learned that finding the right way to learn matters more than fitting into someone else’s system.On Resilience:When Ray lost everything, he didn’t call for help. He bought a styrofoam cooler, found a Dollar General, and figured out how to survive. One week later, he had his first paycheck and could rent an apartment. The experience taught him that survival builds character.On Leadership:Ray got fired from AT&T for going over his manager’s head to warn about a critical infrastructure problem. Weeks later, the CTO called him back, saw the problem immediately, and gave Ray’s company a contract. That experience taught Ray to speak truth to power, no matter the personal cost.On Communication:Ray studied DISC and Emergenetics, psychometric assessments that taught him to recognize how people think and communicate. He learned to modify his tone, pace, posture, and words based on his audience. This skill became the foundation for his ability to simplify complex technical problems for executives.On Goal Setting:When Ray was sleeping in his car, he broke survival into daily goals. Make it to Monday. Get through the week. Get the first paycheck. Find an apartment. This approach of breaking massive goals into manageable chunks became a career skill that serves him to this day.On Business Ownership:Ray used to think owning a business meant doing all the work himself. Learning that business ownership means assembling people, processes, and tools not doing everything personally, transformed how he thinks about scaling and creating opportunities for others.About Ray FreemanRay Freeman is President and CSO of RTS Premier Solutions and co-owner of Win-Win Operations. With over 20 years in technology and a background that includes music production with major artists, Ray brings a unique perspective to tech leadership.His journey from sleeping in his car to leading government technology contracts proves that setbacks don’t define your career, your response to them does.Connect with Ray on LinkedIn or learn more about RTS Premier Solutions.Listen & SubscribeCareer Downloads releases new episodes every week. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and never miss a conversation.Visit careerdownloads.com for more episodes and resources. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences to help you uncover any actionable advice that you c...

Episode Information Show NotesWhat happens when a drummer who played for 10,000 people realizes the music business won’t pay the bills? Rebekah Panepinto shares her unconventional journey from Nashville musician to successful Account Executive, proving that your next career move might come from the least expected place.This conversation goes deep on how relationships trump resumes, why being visible matters more than being perfect, and how asking better questions opens doors you didn’t know existed.Guest BackgroundRebekah Panepinto is an Account Executive and podcast host who has built her sales career by prioritizing authentic relationships over transactions. After pursuing music as a drummer for Grammy-nominated artists, she pivoted to tech sales where she discovered her talent for building partnerships. Her journey from healthcare IT to global software consulting shows how following trusted relationships creates better outcomes than chasing job titles.Episode HighlightsThe Pivot MomentRebekah earned just $150 playing drums for 10,000 people while getting paid more per day as a nanny. That moment at 21 forced her to Google “best jobs in Nashville” and discover healthcare IT—launching an unexpected career path.Zero to Sales HeroWithout any sales experience, Rebekah got recruited by a bandmate who saw intangibles in her that she didn’t see herself. He taught her the fundamentals while she brought natural relationship-building skills that can’t be taught.Female Drummer AdvantageBeing a female drummer in a male-dominated music industry prepared Rebekah for tech sales in ways she never expected. It taught her to believe she could do anything and to never back down from male-dominated spaces.The Everyone’s-a-Prospect TrapEarly in her sales career, Rebekah believed everyone on every flight and elevator was a potential customer. Learning to properly qualify prospects saved companies from bleeding money on bad-fit customers.Podcasting Beats NetworkingTraditional networking events create forgettable exchanges. Podcasting builds authentic relationships where people share vulnerable moments and create lasting connections.Continuous Learning PhilosophyGrowing up homeschooled taught Rebekah how to love learning as a lifelong journey. Now she dedicates an hour every morning to podcasts and audiobooks, absorbing insights from business leaders while working out.Key Takeaways1. Follow relationships, not job descriptions. Every one of Rebekah’s career moves came through trusted connections2. Personal branding is non-negotiable. Being visible and consistent makes you memorable when opportunities arise3. Quality relationships beat transactional wins. Nobody should dread your outreach because you only call for the check4. Learn from everything. Even finance podcasts teach you about newsletter strategies and content creation5. Going all-in creates mastery. Whether it’s scuba diving or sales, full commitment accelerates learningResources Mentioned– Tom Bilyeu’s Impact Theory Podcast– Ramit Sethi’s Money for Couples– Antifragile by Nassim TalebListen to the full episode to hear how Rebekah builds multi-channel touchpoints with prospects, why she’d choose relationship quality over quota-hitting, and what she learned from being capped at her first sales job.Released: January 13, 2026Subscribe to Career Downloads for weekly conversations with tech professionals sharing their career journeys. TranscriptManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to help you uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s episode. I have with me Rebecca Panepinto, and she is she’s an account executive, and she does a lot of, she also has her own podcast,

Episode Information Show NotesBreaking into a major tech company requires more than submitting applications online. Chelsey Bonilla shares how strategic networking, intentional preparation, and genuine curiosity helped her land an account executive role at Gartner, despite not having a traditional technical background.Guest Background:Chelsey Bonilla is an Account Executive at Gartner, one of the world’s leading research and advisory companies. A Las Vegas native and UNLV double alum, she built her career through operations, IT staffing, startup experience, and project management before finding her current role. She’s an active member of SIM (Society of Information Management) Las Vegas, where she volunteers and builds relationships within the tech community.Episode Highlights:Non-Traditional Path to ITChelsey’s career didn’t follow the expected route. Starting in operations and moving through various roles, she found herself drawn to IT despite lacking technical credentials. Her willingness to ask “I don’t understand” became a strength rather than a weakness.Strategic Networking That WorksWhen Chelsey became obsessed with working at Gartner, she didn’t just apply online. She researched everyone attending a SIM networking event, showed up early, and made genuine connections. That preparation led to a phone call about an opportunity that wasn’t even posted yet.The Power of PreparationBefore networking events, Chelsey researches attendees on LinkedIn, follows them strategically, and comes prepared with questions. She calls it “cyber stalking”—and it works.Surviving Seven Rounds of InterviewsLarge organizations have rigorous interview processes for good reason. Chelsey shares what it took to get through seven interviews at Gartner and why each round reinforced that she was on the right path.Key Takeaways:Ask questions freely, even when you don’t have technical knowledgePrepare intentionally for every networking opportunityBuild genuine relationships within professional organizationsResearch people before you meet themTrust the rigorous interview processes at companies you admireGive recruiters the information they need to advocate for youVolunteer and give back to your professional communityConnect with Chelsey Bonilla:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseybonilla/Listen to Career Downloads:Available on all major podcast platforms TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really try and uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s episode because I have with me Chelsey Bonilla and her and I have, over the last, probably close to a year now, have developed a both professional and personal relationship, just kind of getting to know each other. And ike I’ve mentioned before, there’s different areas of technology. So she didn’t feel that she works in technology, but she really does. So again, I just kind of want to help, I hope that her story kind of helps dispel some of those myths. And we get to learn a little bit more of how she’s navigated it, and hopefully find some things that will be helpful for you. So with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Chelsea. Chelsey Bonilla: Thank you, Manny. I appreciate all the time and consideration and overthinking that you’ve allowed me to have over the last year. Manuel Martinez: And I appreciate that it kind of, it took time because you’re not the only person that, it takes a little bit to be like, “Well, wait a minute, why me? Why my story?” it’s not something that you do all the time, right? I don’t see you on podcasts all the time or kind of speaking out publicly. So I think this is good because I’ve had a couple of guests like that.

Episode Information Show NotesWhat happens when you stop planning your career and start asking better questions?Ruben Sarino didn’t set out to co-found an AI security company. The path from military kid bouncing between six countries to RiskHorizon AI co-founder included selling car parts, packaging California honey, working Apple retail, cold calling at CrowdStrike, and several stops in between.None of it was planned. All of it mattered.What You’ll LearnGrowing up in Japan showed Ruben what technology could do when it actually worked. Tapping cards to ride trains and buy things felt seamless. Visiting developing countries showed him the same problems without the same solutions. That contrast planted a seed: technology should solve real problems for real people.But Ruben didn’t study computer science. He studied business. His first exposure to entrepreneurship came through a car parts manufacturer where he learned the difference between pushing products and solving problems. Then came a honey business he fell into by chance, where terrible packaging met great product. Apple retail taught him how great companies operate. CrowdStrike as an SDR gave him front-row seats to hypergrowth and mentors who showed him what came next.Each stop built skills that transferred to the next one.Key InsightsOn Getting Started: “If you know too much, you will never start.” Ruben talks about the danger of over-researching and why ignorance sometimes helps you take the first step.On Career Direction: His annual self-check-in doesn’t ask “what do I want to do?” It asks “how do I want to feel next year?” From there, he works backward to figure out what needs to change.On Problem-Solving: Whether it’s car parts, cybersecurity, or AI, Ruben looks for the underlying problem before building solutions. Not everything needs AI. Some things just need better execution.On Mentorship: The CrowdStrike account executives who took time to show him what happened after the handoff shaped his trajectory. He didn’t formally ask them to be mentors – he asked good questions and stayed curious.On Risk: Being comfortable with change helps, but it’s not required. What matters is believing you can course correct if things don’t work out the way you planned.About Ruben SarinoRuben Sarino is co-founder of RiskHorizon AI. His career spans car parts manufacturing, honey business, Apple retail, cybersecurity sales at CrowdStrike, workforce intelligence startups, and healthcare technology. He’s comfortable with change, believes in transferable skills, and thinks most people overthink their next move.Connect with Ruben on LinkedIn:Subscribe to Career DownloadsNew episodes drop every week featuring tech leaders, CIOs, and professionals sharing their career journeys and the lessons they learned along the way.Website: https://careerdownloads.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloadsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloadsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloadsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloadsFaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest, to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s episode. I have with me Ruben Sarino, and him and I met at a networking event. We got to talking, just learning about kind of what he’s doing. He was asking me what I was doing. You know, we connected on LinkedIn, got to know each other, our backgrounds. And I think he has a lot to offer, and there should be a lot of good stories, a lot of good information that people can use, you know, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the fi...

Episode Information Show NotesSometimes the best careers are the ones you never planned. Aakin Patel went to school for geology. He spent years studying plate tectonics and doing computational modeling. The plan was academia. But grad school revealed something important. The academic life he imagined wasn’t the reality he wanted. So he pivoted. He took his Unix skills from graduate research and landed a job as a system administrator. Just temporary. Just while he figured out his next move. That temporary job turned into a 20+ year career in technology and cybersecurity. In This Episode: Aakin shares his journey from geology to becoming a cybersecurity consultant who advises governments and organizations on strategic implementation. He talks about working at Brookhaven National Labs, dealing with the unique security challenges of international scientific research, and building cybersecurity programs before the field had its current name. The conversation digs into the skills that matter most: problem-solving, communication, and the ability to bridge technical and business worlds. Aakin explains why being able to “dumb things down” is actually proof you understand something deeply, and why teaching others became crucial to his leadership success. You’ll also hear about the day his boss literally put him on a plane to management training, why he initially hated it, and how that moment changed his career trajectory. Key Takeaways: – Career pivots don’t have to be permanent disasters—they can become opportunities – Problem-solving skills transfer across completely different fields – Being the bridge between technical and business teams is a superpower – Learning to communicate complex ideas simply is a leadership essential – Technical burnout is real, and strategic roles can be the answer – Teaching others tests whether you truly understand something – Your ability to build and lead teams matters more than any single technical skill – Reputation and relationships open more doors than resumes About Aakin Patel: Aakin Patel is a cybersecurity consultant specializing in strategic implementation for governments and organizations. His background includes geology and geophysics research, Unix system administration, and cybersecurity leadership at national laboratories. He’s built security teams from scratch and helped organizations implement security programs at strategic levels. His mixed background gives him a unique ability to translate between technical complexity and business needs. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads, where each episode I basically hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I’m very excited. I have with me Aakin Patel, and he is a consultant in the cybersecurity space. We’ve had some conversations about, you know, some of the things he’s done earlier on, how he kind of got into, you know, this field, and just the things that he’s done along the way. So I’m interested to kind of get to know him and how he managed his career a little bit more. And with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Aakin. I appreciate you coming on, Aakin. Aakin Patel: Thank you, it’s good to be here. Manuel Martinez: So one of the things that I kind of start with all the guests is if you don’t mind telling me just a little bit about where you grew up, and then eventually kind of what led you either into the technology field, some people, you know, they fall into it later on. So maybe you started in a different career field. So again, just kind of a little bit of that background about yourself. Aakin Patel: Oh, yeah, so I grew up in the Northeast US in the New York, New Jersey area.

Episode Information Show NotesFrom Age 7 to MSP Owner: Simon Robert’s IT Journey Simon Robert’s IT career started earlier than most, at just 7 years old, he was already fixing computers his father brought home. Now, as President of Novbox in Las Vegas, Simon runs a managed service provider that helps businesses stay secure and operational. In this episode, Simon shares the honest reality of running an IT business. He talks about the stress of being a “one-man army” for years, why admitting “I don’t know” actually builds more trust than pretending to be an expert, and how communication saves client relationships when things go wrong. Episode Highlights: Starting Young Simon began his IT journey at age 7, disassembling and repairing broken computers his father brought home. This early hands-on experience gave him confidence and skills that would shape his entire career. The One-Man Army Problem For 10 years, Simon ran his business alone. He describes the impossible stress of choosing between multiple emergency calls happening simultaneously and why having a business partner changed everything. Honest Communication Wins When clients leave or when something goes wrong, Simon picks up the phone immediately. He shares why confronting problems early, even at 7pm, prevents bigger issues the next morning. Break/Fix vs MSP Model Simon explains the fundamental difference between being an IT firefighter and providing managed services. The MSP model eliminates billing drama and gives clients peace of mind. IT Specialization Reality Just because someone works “in IT” doesn’t mean they do everything. Simon uses the electrician vs plumber analogy to explain why IT professionals specialize and why that’s perfectly okay. The Vegas Tech Community After moving from Quebec to Las Vegas years ago, Simon has been actively building connections in the local tech community. He believes in turning LinkedIn connections into real friendships. Key Takeaways: 1. Admitting “I don’t know” and asking for help builds more trust than pretending to be an expert in everything 2. Communication is priority #1 – confront problems immediately instead of avoiding them 3. Having a business partner or team prevents burnout and enables business growth 4. The MSP model provides stability for both provider and client compared to break/fix 5. Building genuine relationships, both online and in person, creates lasting professional networks 6. Know your strengths and confidently refer out what you don’t do well 7. When clients leave, call them to understand why instead of hiding from the conversation About Simon Robert: Simon Robert is the President of Novbox, an IT managed service provider in Las Vegas. With over 30 years of experience starting from age 7, Simon specializes in helping businesses maintain secure and reliable IT infrastructure through managed services. Listen to learn how honest communication, genuine relationships, and knowing when to ask for help can transform your career – whether you’re running your own business or working in corporate IT. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their experiences and their background, to really try and uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s episode, I have with me Simon Robert. And this is a very interesting story, so him and I actually connected on LinkedIn, we actually met in person, you know, just in an informal setting, got to know each other, to know about each other a little bit more about his career. And he has kind of established his own business. So again, this is going to be something different than all of the other traditional ones where you kno...

Episode Information Show NotesTechnical skills land you the job. People skills determine everything that comes next. Yvette Durazo brings conflict resolution expertise to Silicon Valley tech companies. As a professional mediator and coach, she helps technical professionals navigate the transition into leadership roles. She teaches at universities and works with companies to build conflict intelligence throughout their organizations. This episode tackles a gap most bootcamps and certifications ignore. You can master Python, ace the PM certification, and still struggle when team dynamics turn difficult. Yvette explains why project managers need influence skills nobody warned them about, how unresolved conflict creates measurable health costs, and why companies should budget for these skillsets differently. Episode Highlights: Manuel and Yvette discuss the inevitable shift from technical work to people management. Most engineers and developers focus on hard skills early in their careers. Then they move into project management or team leadership and discover a new challenge: working with people they don’t directly supervise. Yvette shares her experience teaching conflict resolution in project management certificate programs. The programs teach scheduling, budgeting, and timeline management. They rarely prepare students for influencing stakeholders across the organization. That gap creates real problems when projects involve multiple departments. The conversation moves into conflict health. Yvette describes how prolonged workplace stress affects cortisone levels, cognitive function, and physical wellbeing. Employees operating in constant fight-or-flight mode can’t access creativity or innovation. Companies lose productivity and face increased absenteeism. You’ll hear why Yvette advocates for moving conflict resolution training from learning and development budgets into risk management. The training gets cut first when budgets tighten if leadership sees it as optional development. Treating it as risk mitigation changes the conversation. The episode closes with Yvette’s perspective on “bringing your whole self to work.” She suggests companies would benefit more from supporting employees to bring their healthy selves to work instead. Key Takeaways: – Technical expertise alone won’t carry you through leadership transitions – Project management inherently requires influence skills across reporting lines – Workplace conflict creates measurable physical and mental health impacts – Fight-or-flight responses eliminate creativity and productivity – Conflict resolution belongs in risk management, not just Learning and Development – Companies benefit from employees bringing their healthy selves to work About This Week’s Guest: Yvette Durazo works as a professional mediator and coach in Silicon Valley. She specializes in helping tech leaders develop conflict intelligence. Her work includes teaching university courses, coaching individual leaders, and facilitating organizational conflict resolution. She’s the author of “Conflict Intelligence Quotient.” Resources Mentioned: Book: “Conflict Intelligence Quotient” by Yvette Durazo Subscribe to Career Downloads: Get weekly career advice from tech leaders managing their own career journeys. Available on all podcast platforms. #CareerDownloads #ConflictResolution #TechLeadership #CareerDevelopment TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest, to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really uncover actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. I’m excited for today’s episode, because I have with me Yvette Durazo. And she’s not what you would consider your tech… Your typical tech worker.

Episode Information Show Notes What happens when you combine curiosity, willingness to take chances, and genuine interest in people? You get Bob Leek’s career story – a journey from a small town in North Carolina to becoming CIO of Clark County, Nevada. Bob didn’t start with a master plan. He got an accounting degree, landed in retail finance, and complained about IT systems so much they moved him to technology. His path through retail (Egghead), pet healthcare (Banfield), Kaiser Permanente, and public sector roles taught him that relationships matter more than transactions, and that saying yes to opportunities often matters more than having all the credentials. Now leading technology for one of America’s largest counties – serving 2.3 million residents and 40 million annual visitors – Bob brings an approachable leadership style that breaks down the intimidation factor many feel around executive titles. He’s proof that you don’t need to have it all figured out from day one. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: Bob shares how growing up in Mount Airy, North Carolina (Andy Griffith’s hometown) shaped his values around community and connection. His entry into technology came from an accounting degree and working in finance at Egghead, where he complained about IT systems so much they moved him to the technology department. The conversation covers his progression through retail technology, pet healthcare (Banfield), Kaiser Permanente, and Multnomah County before making the jump to Clark County. Bob explains what it means to manage technology infrastructure for millions of people while maintaining his commitment to accessibility and relationship-building. You’ll hear about his philosophy on networking (hint: it’s not about collecting business cards), why he asks questions without worrying about looking uninformed, and how curiosity has been his career accelerator. Bob also opens up about being a “professional extrovert and social introvert” and what that means for how he shows up in his role. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Complaining about problems can lead to opportunities if you’re willing to help fix them Asking questions, even ones you think might sound basic, accelerates your learning Real networking is about genuine curiosity, not transactional exchanges Saying yes to opportunities matters more than waiting until you feel fully prepared Building relationships with people across industries creates career momentum Leadership roles don’t have to be intimidating – accessibility builds stronger teams ABOUT THE GUEST: Bob Leek is the Chief Information Officer for Clark County, Nevada. His career began with an accounting degree and moved through retail technology (Egghead), pet healthcare (Banfield), Kaiser Permanente, and public sector leadership at Multnomah County. Bob’s approachable style and commitment to community-building have made him a respected figure in technology leadership. CONNECT WITH BOB: Find Bob on LinkedIn or reach out through Clark County official channels. He genuinely means it when he says to come say hi at events. SUBSCRIBE & CONNECT: Career Downloads brings you conversations with technology leaders and professionals to help you manage your career with more success. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform or watch full episodes on YouTube. Join our community on the social platforms: Website: https://careerdownloads.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/career-downloads YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@careerdownloads TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@careerdownloads Instagram https://www.instagram.com/careerdownloads FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/people/Career-Downloads/61561144531249 TranscriptionManuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences,

Episode Information Show Notes Episode Summary: Vika Nevmyvakova’s career path looks nothing like she planned. She arrived in the US from Ukraine at 20 with law school dreams. No resources to make it happen. No network. No connections. She took whatever jobs paid bills. Call centers. Customer service. The work most people see as stepping stones, she turned into skill-building. That’s where she discovered she loved talking to people and solving problems. More importantly, she was good at it. Today she consults with pre-funding stage startups on sales operations. She helps technical founders who built genius products but struggle to sell them. Her career philosophy is simple: take shots you’re not ready for. Apply when you meet 60% of requirements. Ask questions that might sound stupid. Build expertise through curiosity. This conversation unpacks her immigration journey, multiple career pivots, working through language barriers, and why she tells everyone to stop waiting until they feel prepared. What You’ll Discover: Her path from Ukraine to US tech sales consulting Why call center work taught skills law school wouldn’t Sales consulting for early-stage startups and what founders actually need How curiosity became her biggest competitive advantage The confidence gap: men apply at 60%, women wait for 100% Real talk about working with an accent and language barriers Her interview preparation tactics using YouTube How to articulate value versus just listing product features Why following through on commitments builds credibility faster than anything else The “what’s the worst that can happen” mindset that changed her career Key Takeaways: Your career doesn’t need to follow the plan you made at 20. Vika’s path from law school aspirations to tech sales happened through a series of sideways moves. Customer service work taught communication skills and problem-solving under pressure that translated directly to sales. Curiosity beats credentials. She built her expertise by sitting through engineering demos, joining product calls, and asking endless questions. When she talks to customers, she can articulate value in ways others can’t because she did the work to deeply understand the business. The confidence gap is real and costly. Men typically apply when they meet 60% of job requirements. Women wait for 100%. The difference? Men who apply get hired. If you don’t take the shot, you already have a no. Following through separates average from excellent. Tell someone you’ll look something up and actually do it. Your credibility lives or dies on this one habit. Guest Bio: Vika Nevmyvakova is a Sales Consultant working with pre-funding stage startups. She helps technical founders develop sales strategies, implement CRM systems, and translate complex features into clear customer value. Born in Ukraine, she moved to the US at 20, pivoted from law aspirations to technology, and built her career by staying relentlessly curious and taking shots before feeling ready. Resources Mentioned: YouTube for interview preparation and skill development Mock interview practice CRM systems for startups Prospecting platforms for early-stage companies Listen to the full episode to hear Vika’s complete story and get her unfiltered advice on making career moves before you feel prepared. Subscribe to Career Downloads: New episodes every week featuring technology leaders sharing real career lessons. #CareerDownloads #SalesConsulting #CareerChange #TechCareers #StartupLife #ImmigrantStory TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez, and again, this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to help you uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career.

Episode Information Show NotesJazmin Diaz’s career story dismantles the myth that you need perfect credentials to succeed in technology. Her path from middle school administrative assistant to Chief of Staff at a cybersecurity company demonstrates how curiosity, authenticity, and strategic relationship-building can accelerate professional growth.Episode Highlights:Jazmin shares her unique background growing up between two cultures – born in California, raised in Mexico until age nine, then returning to relearn English and navigate American educational systems. This experience shaped her ability to connect with others facing similar challenges, particularly at-risk students during her time working in education.The conversation reveals practical strategies for career transitions, including how she researched transferable skills, leveraged informational interviews, and ultimately secured her first tech role through networking rather than traditional applications. Her willingness to start as a receptionist – despite years of experience – proved essential for getting her foot in the door.Key Takeaways:Networking authentically means building relationships without immediate agendaBeing uncomfortable signals growth opportunities worth pursuingSelf-advocacy requires data and strategic timing, not just confidenceStarting at entry level in a new industry can fast-track learning and advancementSalary negotiation extends beyond base pay to stock options, bonuses, and benefitsVulnerability and authenticity create stronger professional connections than perfectionResources Mentioned:Book: “Ignite Your Growth” by Jazmin Diaz (English)Book: “Enciende Tu Crecimiento” by Jazmin Diaz (Spanish)Flourish Learning and DevelopmentConnect with Our Guest: Jazmin Diaz is available for speaking engagements, workshops, and coaching through Flourish Learning and Development. Her book is available in both English and Spanish editions.About Career Downloads: Each episode features professionals sharing real experiences, setbacks, and breakthroughs to help you manage your own career with greater success. Host Manuel Martinez brings conversations that go beyond surface-level advice to uncover actionable insights you can apply immediately. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really uncover how they’ve managed their career over time with the ultimate goal to help you uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m really excited for today’s episode. This has really been eight, almost nine months in the making. So for those of you who are aware, back in December, I had Cynthia Hara on and a mutual contact of my current guest and Cynthia’s kind of got in contact with me, put me in contact with Jazmin Diaz is who I have on. We’ve had a number of conversations since that time trying to work out, so she’s not local to Las Vegas, just trying to find out logistically how this would work out. And I’m really excited because apart from the alignment of what she’s currently doing, what she’s done, kind of what the podcast is, in between that time, she has also become an author and she’s written a book, both in English and in Spanish, again, around career and professional development and personal development. So I’m really excited and this is gonna be a great one. So with that, I will go ahead and introduce Jazmin Diaz. Jazmin Diaz: Thank you so much for having me, Manny. Really glad to be here with you finally. Manuel Martinez: Finally, right. I mean, it’s interesting that when Sal kind of put us in contact, it took us a little while. We’d look back and it’s almost nine months that this has gone on and I think it happened at this moment for a reason, right?

Episode Information Show Notes Episode Highlights: Join host Manuel Martinez for an inspiring conversation with Rishma Khimji, the pioneering CIO of Harry Reid International Airport. Her story begins with constant movement – nine cities across two countries – and leads to managing technology systems that serve millions of travelers annually. Rishma’s career trajectory breaks conventional wisdom about climbing corporate ladders. Starting as a junior programmer debugging code for IBM, she discovered her true calling lay in making technology invisible to end users. Her public sector experience spans water utilities, police departments, and now aviation – each role teaching her how technology should serve humanity, not the other way around. Key Takeaways: Embrace Your Migration Story: Constant change teaches adaptability and opens doors you never imagined Failure Equals Course Correction: Build backup plans (A, B, and C) because your primary approach won’t always work Technology Should Be Invisible: The best systems are the ones passengers never think about Community Amplifies Success: Surround yourself with people who champion your growth Apply at 50% Qualification: Stop waiting until you’re 100% ready – most learning happens on the job AI as Augmented Influence: Use technology to enhance your capabilities, not replace your humanity Resources Mentioned: “Smart Brevity” book referenced by Manuel Airport common-use technology systems RFID baggage tracking implementation Public sector technology transformation strategies About Rishma Khimji: Rishma serves as Chief Information Officer for the Clark County Department of Aviation, managing technology operations for Harry Reid International Airport and four general aviation facilities. Her leadership spans over 25 years in technology, with experience transforming operations across utilities, law enforcement, and aviation sectors. She’s recognized for her innovative approaches to making technology serve community needs. Connect with Our Guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishmakhimji/ Next Steps: Ready to accelerate your tech career? Subscribe to Career Downloads for weekly episodes featuring leaders who’ve navigated unconventional paths to success. Each conversation delivers actionable insights you can implement immediately. Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their experiences and their background, to really help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So I’m excited for today’s guest. I have with me Rishma Khimji and I have crossed paths with her close up, I’ve come close to crossing paths with her a few times. She’s worked on the public sector and when I used to work at VMware, covering public sector. So that’s kind of when I first became aware of her. I’ve seen a lot of what she’s done since that time. So I’m really excited to kind of get to know more about her and how she’s kind of continued to navigate her career. So with that, I’ll introduce Rishma. Rishma: Hi. Manuel: Hi, I appreciate you coming on and again, being willing to share your experiences. Rishma: No, absolutely, happy to be here. So, I know we haven’t always crossed paths face to face but there’s always been an intersection of acquaintances for us. And so I’m very excited to be here because those friends that have already been on this podcast have spoken very highly of you and so I feel very honored to be here. So thank you. Manuel: Thank you, I appreciate that. So if you don’t mind kind of telling people a little bit more about what your current role is and kind of some of the responsibilities that you have to manage. Rishma: Sure, so I’m the first chief information technology officer for the Harry Reid I...

Episode Information Show NotesEpisode OverviewAngie Cosca’s career journey challenges every assumption about traditional tech career paths. Starting with no formal computer science education, she taught herself HTML using Notepad, worked her way up through help desk support, and eventually became CIO of a major healthcare organization – all while staying with the same company for 23 years.Her story demonstrates the power of curiosity, relationship-building, and continuous learning in creating a successful technology career.Key TakeawaysOn Career Development:Formal education isn’t required for tech success, but continuous learning is non-negotiableTaking on responsibilities beyond your job description opens unexpected opportunitiesBuilding relationships across the organization matters as much as technical skillsOn Leadership:Understanding business workflows and pain points enables better technology solutionsCollaborative hiring processes involving other departments improve team dynamicsSecond opinions and diverse perspectives strengthen decision-makingOn Healthcare IT:Technology professionals in healthcare indirectly save lives by ensuring reliable systemsVendor relationships should be partnerships, not just transactionsAI implementation requires careful change management to avoid employee fearGuest BackgroundAngie Cosca serves as Chief Information Officer at Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI), where she oversees IT infrastructure, compliance, and security for 12 locations serving 550+ employees. The organization processes approximately 500,000 diagnostic studies annually, including MRIs, CTs, X-rays, and ultrasounds.Beyond her corporate role, Angie is President of ISSA Las Vegas and dedicates extensive time to mentoring through IT Works, a 16-week intensive program helping disadvantaged students transition into technology careers.Resources MentionedIT Works: 16-week intensive IT program for disadvantaged studentsISSA Las Vegas: Information Systems Security Association chapterPACS: Picture Archival Communication System for medical imagingUNLV Negotiation Course: Referenced for professional developmentEpisode HighlightsThe Power of Curiosity: How asking “why” and observing workflows leads to better solutionsVendor Partnership Strategy: Building relationships beyond transactional interactionsMentorship Impact: The long-term relationships formed through programs like IT WorksHealthcare Technology: Understanding the life-saving implications of reliable IT systemsConnect with AngieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeline-cosca/ISSA Las Vegas: https://www.lvissa.org/ TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone. My name is Manuel Martinez, and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode, I basically hit the refresh button and bring on a different guest to learn more about their background and their experiences, to really help uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. I’m excited for today’s episode because I have with me Angie Cosca, and she is a CIO here in, for the medical industry within Las Vegas. So again, I’m very excited to kind of understand her journey, where she kind of started and eventually how she ended up in her role. So with that, I’ll introduce Angie. Hi Angie. Angie Cosca: Hi, thank you for having me, Manuel. Manuel Martinez: I appreciate you coming on and being open to kind of sharing your experiences. Angie Cosca: I’m excited. Manuel Martinez: So if you don’t mind, can you just kind of tell us what your current role is and just some of the roles and responsibilities that you fulfill on a daily basis for the most part? Angie Cosca: Sure. So I am currently the Chief Information Officer for Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging. For some of the audiences that know what this is, it’s a radiology center. We have 12 locations here, and we handle about half a million studies a year.

Episode Information Show NotesIn this episode, Manuel Martinez interviews Dr. Doreen Galli, Chief of Research at TBW Advisors, about her remarkable career journey through the technology industry. Dr. Galli shares candid insights about her path from academic overachiever to holding senior executive roles at companies like IBM, Microsoft, AT&T, and DHL.Guest Background: Dr. Doreen Galli is currently Chief of Research at TBW Advisors, a media company and industry analyst firm. She has held CIO and CTO positions at Fortune 10 companies and was a platform architect for Microsoft Azure. Her career spans operations, consulting, and advisory roles across multiple industries including telecommunications, logistics, and cloud computing.Episode Highlights:Dr. Galli opens up about completing a triple major in college while being an All-American athlete and working multiple tutoring jobs. She explains how she convinced her registrar to allow course overloads by presenting a detailed plan and backup strategies.The conversation covers her time as the first postdoc at IBM’s Center for Advanced Studies, where she worked alongside technology legends like Paul Larson (father of SQL) and learned to navigate complex technical integrations under extreme pressure.She shares practical strategies for time management, including Benjamin Franklin’s time blocking method that she still uses today. Dr. Galli explains how scheduling everything – including relaxation time – creates more flexibility rather than rigidity.The discussion reveals the realities of working in technology, including how to handle the inevitable layoffs and reorganizations that come with change management roles. Dr. Galli emphasizes that business decisions aren’t personal and shares strategies for protecting your professional brand.Key Takeaways:Don’t accept other people’s limitations on your capabilities“Who knows what you know” matters more than who you knowMake requests easy for people to approve by doing the planning work upfrontMaintain interests outside of work to balance the ups and downs of corporate lifeInfluence comes from listening and understanding different perspectives on the same problemResources Mentioned:Benjamin Franklin’s time blocking methodologyThe movie “Short Circuit” as inspiration for continuous learningThe importance of having non-work activities for emotional balanceThis episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to advance their technology career, handle workplace challenges professionally, or develop stronger leadership and communication skills. TranscriptionManuel Martinez: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to really learn more about their career and the way that they’ve been able to manage it over time, to really uncover any lessons or ideas that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I’m pretty excited. I have with me Dr. Doreen Galli. We met at Toastmasters and the conversation has gone well. She had talked a little bit about some of the work that she has done, looked at her profile on LinkedIn. It’s very extensive. We’ve had some conversations since then. There’s no way we’re gonna be able to cover everything she’s done, but there are gonna be a lot of key lessons just in the short time that we’ve talked that I think are gonna be really insightful and important to cover. So with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Dr. Doreen. Doreen Galli: Hi, nice to see you. How are you doing? Manuel Martinez: I’m doing fantastic. Thanks for asking. How about yourself? Doreen Galli: Good, thanks for having me. Looking forward, hope it’ll help some people. Manuel Martinez: And that’s ultimately the goal. So if you don’t mind, just as we get started, if you can just tell us what your current role is and just a summary of the roles and re...

Episode Information Show Notes Clinton Lee’s career journey reads like a masterclass in adaptability. What started as dreams of becoming a teacher transformed into a successful path through IT infrastructure, customer-side technical roles, and ultimately sales engineering leadership. Currently serving as a Director of Sales Engineering, Clinton shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from his first encounter with VMware technology to learning how to overcome introversion in customer-facing roles. Episode Highlights: Early Career Foundation Clinton’s path began at a technical certification school where he learned Windows, Cisco networking, and foundational IT skills. His willingness to take on any challenge—from teaching classes to running cable—set the stage for future growth. The VMware Turning Point Working at Toyota, Clinton witnessed his first vMotion demonstration while servers were being pinged. That “magical” moment sparked a passion for virtualization technology that would define his career trajectory. Transitioning to Sales Engineering Despite initial reservations about sales roles, Clinton made the leap to VMware as a vSAN specialist. He candidly discusses the challenges of being an introvert in a customer-facing position and how he developed the energy and presence needed for success. Leadership Lessons From individual contributor to team manager, Clinton shares insights about developing people, the importance of genuine relationships, and why helping others succeed became his driving motivation. Key Takeaways for Listeners: Technical expertise alone isn’t enough—learn to solve business problems Network authentically and build genuine relationships Great mentors can change your career trajectory Feedback is a gift—always ask for it and act on it Leadership skills can be developed with intention and practice Guest Bio: Clinton Lee is a Director of Sales Engineering with extensive experience in virtualization technologies and team leadership. His career spans customer-side IT infrastructure, technical consulting, and vendor-side sales engineering across multiple industries. Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. Where each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest to learn more about their career and their experiences, to really understand what they’ve done to be able to kind of manage that career over time. So I’m pretty excited about my guest today. I have Clinton Lee. So he, I know I’ve talked about this in the past, about me working at VMware. He is a big part of kind of how that happened. So, you know, we’ll touch on that, ask him a couple of questions and, you know, get to learn more about his specific career path. So with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Clinton. Clinton: Hey Manuel: How’s it going? Clinton: It’s awesome, it’s awesome to finally be on here, Manny. Manuel: It’s been a while, so I know we kind of touched base a few times, you know, outside of the podcast. So I was pretty excited to, you know, have you on, talk about your journey and then just kind of that intersection of how we, you know, came across each other. Clinton: Yeah, I’m super excited to do it for sure. Manuel: So if you don’t mind, kind of tell us what your current role is and just a brief summary of some of your roles and responsibilities. And then eventually we’ll kind of work our way towards that. Clinton: Yeah, so I mean, you’re, I mean, this is probably not going to be anything new for you or maybe some of your listeners, but I’m a director of sales engineering. So I manage SEs, you know, they’re called solution engineers, systems engineer, sales engineers, like all kinds of names for what’s basically the same function, which is the technical, you know, in the weeds counterpart to your salesperson at a tech company.

Episode Information Show Notes Jeramie Brown’s career journey proves there’s no single path to technology leadership success. Starting as a radio and television broadcaster in the Air Force, Jeramie spent 24 years learning storytelling, communication, and adaptability while gradually building technical expertise. Today, he serves as Chief Information Officer for a Nevada public agency and President of the Las Vegas AITP chapter. Episode Summary This conversation explores how diverse backgrounds create stronger tech leaders. Jeramie shares his transition from analog broadcasting to digital technology, the leadership lessons learned through military service, and practical strategies for embracing change in fast-moving tech environments. Key Discussion Points Career Transition Strategy: How Jeramie deliberately started at entry-level after military retirement to build confidence and prove his technical abilities Change Management Philosophy: Finding excitement within scary changes to make adaptation easier Leadership Evolution: Moving from technical contributor to strategic leader who develops others Trust Building: Why owning mistakes publicly strengthens team dynamics Professional Networks: How organizations like AITP, ISSA, and SIM accelerate career growth Notable Quotes “Artificial intelligence is not a replacement for you or for anybody, it is an augmentation tool. It will help you do your job or do that task better, faster, more reliable.” “I wanted to be the guy that they could go to and ask questions and I can help guide them to the right answers.” “You have to find a way to convey the information in a story, right? Because that’s what people are gonna connect to.” Resources Mentioned Book: “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni Organizations: AITP, ISSA, SIM, Thrive, PMI Leadership Authors: Simon Sinek Career Advice Highlights Embrace Non-Traditional Paths – Diverse backgrounds bring valuable perspectives to technology roles Focus on Skill Development – Technical skills plus communication abilities create powerful combinations Join Professional Associations – These organizations provide networking, mentorship, and growth opportunities Lead Through Service – Great leaders develop their teams rather than showcasing personal expertise Build Trust Through Transparency – Admitting mistakes encourages team honesty and collaboration Connect with Jeramie LinkedIn: Jeramie Brown, CIO Professional Association: AITP Las Vegas Chapter Career Downloads explores diverse paths to technology success. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and visit our website for full episode transcripts and resources. #CareerDownloads #TechnologyCareers #ITLeadership #CareerAdvice Transcription Manuel: Welcome everyone, my name is Manuel Martinez and this is another episode of Career Downloads. For each episode, I basically hit the refresh button, bring on a different guest, to learn more about their background, their experiences, to really uncover any actionable advice that you can use as you’re managing your own career. So for today’s episode, I have with me Jeramie Brown and I’m very excited, we met in a professional setting. He is in senior leadership, so I’m very excited to kind of uncover his path to that type of role and kind of what he’s learned along the way. So with that, I’ll go ahead and introduce Jeramie. Hi Jeramie. Jeramie: Hi Manuel. Manuel: I appreciate you taking the time to come on and share your experiences. Jeramie: Oh, I’m super excited to be here. I love things like this, like getting the opportunity to help people grow in their career and kind of figure out where they wanna go and like where they are now, where they wanna be and how to get there. Manuel: Fantastic. This is the perfect place to do that. (both laughing) So if you don’t mind kind of telling us what your current role and responsibilities a...