447 ASCII in Dallas Texas, Day 1

Since 2000, I have been working in the information technology field. My passion is the support of small businesses and local municipalities, in regard to their I.T. networks, security, and technology-driven business practices.

In 2006, I took over ownership and management of the Local Circuit and grew it from the one-man-band, which was doing break/fix computer repair, to the consistently growing 30+ client MSP that we are today.

Outside of the business world, I have worked alongside friends and supporters to provide clean drinking water projects and new water wells in developing countries around the world. I have spent time in places like Haiti, Kenya, and Malawi drilling wells, installing water purification systems and providing other social initiatives. In 2017, I founded the Gen1 Project, a 501(c)(3), where I currently serve as Executive Director. Our purpose is to empower the next generation with clean water initiatives, humanitarian aid, micro-finance projects, and various other advocacy programs which create and sustain life in developing nations.

I am a husband and father of three who enjoys time in the mountains, off-roading with my RZR, hunting, camping, and being outdoors. Downtime for me means getting out of the concrete jungle and off the beaten path.

Michael E. Crean, a U.S. Army Combat Veteran, founded Solutions Granted, Inc. in 2001. He saw the need for bridging the gap between IT and IS, with solid security offerings and strong cost effect solutions. This commitment in providing real solutions-that met corporate goals and/or compliance standards-caused immediate growth; representing thousands of customers through managed security offerings worldwide. He has entrenched himself in Information Security, implementation and the managed security services industry. He has the experience and knowhow to generate a thoughtful presentation on the State of Security and give the tricks-of-the-trade to assist customers in protecting against security treats.

Diana Giles is the President and owner of Skyline IT Management, originally established as The Computer Monkey, LLC in 2004. She truly enjoys helping small businesses improve and secure their operations through the proper use of modern technology. Early on, Diana realized she enjoyed being the go-to tech person in the office more than her regular job, so she left to pursue an entry-level tech support position with Teleflora. She eventually traveled to some of the largest florists in the country doing installation and training. Requests for technology services continued after Diana left work to stay home with her kids, so The Computer Monkey began. Diana has a bachelor’s degree in business and master’s degree in Telecommunications Management from Oklahoma State University. She is also the founder of sensiblecyberparenting.com, a free resource website to help parents protect their children online.