Watched thecandidates' video
pitches, but still can't make up your mind? You can
find out more about each of our six IT superhero finalists here, by
reading through their written submissions on this page. Then you
canwatch the
videos again, orgo straight
to the Firebrand site to place your votes.
Who's your favourite IT superhero? Read on to
decide...
David Busby
What are your achievements in the IT
industry?
It all started way back in the early 1990's when I was
bought a 128k ZX spectrum for my birthday, along with a book that
can only be described as the war and peace of BASIC. From there
things progressed to tearing apart the family 133MMX, not playing
DOOM in school and college and circumventing the local Sys admin
restrictions was always fun. Despite the introduction of a new
A-Level system and less than perfect results I found myself with an
offer to join Stafford University on its HND (to Bsc) Computer
science course, only for the LEA to lose all my records and refuse
to pay any fees 12-months later.
Having self-taught myself PHP I then worked for a web
development company, developing bespoke CMS systems and building
Linux based servers. I then moved to take up the role of network
administrator for a large distributions company. I was given £180k
to spend on a new solution after several 70-hour weeks of analysis.
Having also self-taught myself in the ways of SNMP, IDS, mrtg and
Linux, I was able to draft a report.
From there I moved back into web development at a new company
until disaster struck in September 06. The server host had "black
holed" leaving no support lines and all servers offline. Stepping
up I migrated the whole solution to a new service provider in under
24-hours, and we were back online. Then began the process of moving
some 285 domains and thus began my full time systems administrator
role. I remained in that position for over two years before moving
largely due to the current financial climate.
Why are you passionate about IT and how do you show
this?
I am adaptive, and apply myself vigorously to whatever I do, be
it security, wireless analysis, software / web application
development ... I seem to be doing it all, never fixed to one
specific discipline.
Why should you be chosen as an IT
Superhero?
I have shown that with determination even a largely self taught
IT professional can apply themselves to do great things, I am even
now able to spend time authoring and releasing Open Source tools,
and maintain a blog as a resource to help others get into IT the
same way I did.
Within four hours of starting with this new company as a "Media
developer" (sys admin / client consultant / PHP / C++ developer) a
potential client quoted:
"We’ve been really impressed by your incredibly professional
approach to everything, and will definitely be using you guys as
our first port of call for any future development work that comes
up."
Andy Moore
What are your achievements in the IT
industry?
My career started out back in the "good old days" of
IT, before the desktop was really invented and mainframes were
programmed with cards. However, during my ten years with Ciba-Geigy
Plc (now Ciba Specialty Chemicals), I achieved a number of
things:
- Global rollout of IBM AS/400 mid-range computers
- Installed some of the early Cisco AGS+ routers (before Cisco
was well known and Green) to provide Token Ring/Serial Bridges
- Managed the cable installation of a brand new building on the
Macclesfield site (Ciba Geigy).
However, this run of good times came to a tearful end in 1996
when Ciba was purchased by Sandoz Chemicals, I then went to a
reseller in Stockport, Cheshire.
One of my greatest achievements here was to take a 7Mio business
and transform it into a 14Mio business, this involved hard work and
dedication. The result was winning Network Reseller of the Year in
1998 for a Project we completed for Marie Curie Cancer Care, which
involved a national rollout of Citrix/Shiva LANRover's to cut costs
and make their carers mobile. This also involved an installation in
Belfast (I have some stories about that place!).
Another achievement in more recent years was a security review
for the Central Bank of Kuwait. This was a long and arduous project
as the client worked long hours and R&R was of little reward
due to the country being "dry"!
Why are you passionate about IT and how do you show
this?
Why am I passionate about IT, the short answer? I don't know how
to do anything else, the long answer is that I have firmly believed
during my long career that IT is a fundamental part of everyday
life - we drive it around for goodness sakes. I take great pleasure
in finding out how something works, taking it apart and putting it
back together and sometimes I am even fortunate enough to have no
pieces left over!
I have a passion for learning new technology, applying the old
and passing this knowledge on. I also enjoy having knowledge passed
to me. A very good telecommunications engineer once said to me in
the 80's "You might not know all the answers, but you know which
page in the manual they're written on." This statement has formed
the grounding for my approach to IT, both personally and
professionally.
Why should you be chosen as an IT
Superhero?
I am there when I am needed and there when I am not. People will
testify that if I don't know the answer, I'll go find out and in
the meantime will give pointers, "Share the Wealth," as they
say.
I have worked long and hard over the last two decades to firmly
establish myself in the IT industry as a font of knowledge with a
wealth of expertise and wisdom. If I haven't seen it then, it
probably doesn't exist!
Robert Howard
What are your achievements in the IT
industry?
I have been in the IT industry for around 18 years. I
have also run my own business for four years, giving small
businesses a great service at a sensible price. I also passed my
CCNA/CCDA last year with Firebrand, which was self-funded. My
family had no holiday that year to cover the course and it was
worth every penny.
I have worked hard in the IT industry for years to gain the
knowledge and professionalism I have today.
Why are you passionate about IT and how do you show
this?
I love IT and always have done, I spend most of my free time
learning, testing and playing with new software and hardware when
other men are down the pub.
I will always love IT and will keep learning and gaining more
knowledge. It all started when I got my first Spectrum when I was a
boy and it had me hooked.
Why should you be chosen as an IT
Superhero?
I should be chosen as an IT hero as I am doing all this for my
family, to better their lives - and to improve IT.
I would love to be the next Bill Gates and do as much for this
industry as he has and more if I can.
Please pick me as your IT Superhero and I will stop the trojans
attacking!
Toby Brown
What are your achievements in the IT
industry?
Recently joined a company in a real mess, with three
months to move to a new £20million office. Had to assess,
stabilise, then move the IT infrastructure, then stabilise post
move and now working on improvements.
Also run web and various bits in spare time, as well as running
a successful supporters website that even gets me on TV and radio
quite often! I moved to London when I was 18 and worked in stock
market systems, then law, then digi marketing, then on my own. I
now combine all skills learned and I’m always looking to learn
more. Now about to roll out a new ERP system, 18 months behind
schedule, by Dec 5th!
Why are you passionate about IT and how do you show
this?
Everything relies on it. It's like the old joke about the bloke
in the bar not wanting to talk politics, then realising that
encompasses every subject! IT is the same now, it is so ingrained
in all parts of life and it's potential is incredible, I try not to
talk in boring terms, but enthusiastically about what we can
do!
Why should you be chosen as an IT
Superhero?
Because I'm not your typical IT guy and I have saved so many
companies and helped many too. I have not been beaten by a project
yet and every company I've worked for has been impressed with what
I do. Job aside, I'm a mild mannered bl**dy nice bloke too, just no
glasses to mask my real identity.
P.S. Pick me or I'll fly there and unplug your servers!
P.P.S. I wouldn't really, I'd only feel inclined to boot them up
again.
Christopher John Lowden
What are your achievements in the IT
industry?
The successful development and implementation of two
totally independent IT projects during the last five and a half
years in my current position. An electronic data interface between
a hundred mobile Oracle inventory server systems and a static UK
based asset tracking ingress server system saving thousands of man
hours and swivel chair input action in the deployed
environment.
Much more recently, a complete logistic systems deployment kit
which brings together five independent IT systems onto a single
laptop platform and packs into a single deployable rugged case with
all its peripheral requirements. The storage case opens up into a
complete mobile office with seat, desk, peripherals and an online
guide to aid the successful configuration of the equipment set. The
storage and transportation of the equipment set are a quarter of
the original equipment requirements.
I have continued to study and improve my skill set attending IT
training courses throughout this period of development and found
the time to travel from Oxford to Staffs University Stoke-on-Trent
Technology Campus one day a week to complete my part time Bsc
(hons) in applied computing. So far I have achieved distinction and
merit module passes and hope to complete the course later in
2009.
In 2006 I received a certificate signed by the Prime Minister of
Australia for my efforts as the Team England Logistics Manager at
the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Why are you passionate about IT and how do you show
this?
I love my Job working on Logistic IT systems because of the
places it can take me and the interesting people it places me in
contact with. These people can be anyone from Tony and Cherie
Blair, top world-class athletes to primary school children in Pune
India.
Not only do I give 101% of my time and ability to the Ministry
of Defence but I also have a voluntary position as the Commonwealth
Games Team England Logistics Manager which also takes me all over
the world to different countries and cultures. I take on anything
and everything they throw at me from transport, clothing to
technical secure Wi-Fi connectivity problems. I have been trusted
to repair top world-class athlete's personal laptops and data as
well as fit them out with shorts and t-shirts. I love my Job so
much; I recently turned down an IT contracting position with the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which would have grossed over
£8,000 a month in salary.
As a serving Warrant Officer in the military I earn less than
half that amount currently however, job satisfaction feeds my
passion for what I do currently and I don't want it to end.
Why should you be chosen as an IT
Superhero?
I feel that my current position fits your IT "Superhero",
especially when I'm on temporary duty in Afghanistan and Iraq
setting up satellite communication links, repairing, upgrading
existing equipment in the logistics role under mortar fire. In
these harsh conditions I share my stories of when I was a physical
training instructor with logistic troops and discuss army boxing,
skiing, charity events, and expeditions we got to do from time to
time, like cycling across America for sick children.
I explain, that because of what I do, it places me in positions
such as having lunch with Tony and Cherie Blair at the Commonwealth
Games, introducing England's top athletes and what difficulties we
have had with logistics. This chit chat lifts their spirits and
gives them the strength to continue with their jobs, knowing I do
it because I enjoy it more than anything I've done previously.
Logistic IT systems are essential for successful operations, and
saving lives, humanitarian or war fighting. The supply chain would
not be what it is today without IT and the "Geeks" that maintain
it, every successful task leaves me with an overwhelming feeling of
satisfaction. Is this the IT "Superhero" you're looking for?
Adam Spittles
What are your achievements in the IT
industry?
My qualifications include, a BSc Computer Science
(hons) from University of Essex 2000/01, CompTia A+, N+, valid
Cisco CCNA, CCNP Switching and CCNP ONT certifications.
Even though I graduated from a well-respected university in
Computer Science, I struggled to get a job in IT due to the
industry freeze post the September 11th 2001 tragedy. Therefore my
IT life actually started in early 2004 as a desktop engineer for a
company called ViewSonic Europe Ltd where I remained and excelled
at for 2 years.
Before this I worked for an investment company called Fidelity
Investments for the two years previous.
My current role is as a network engineer for an investment bank
called Deutsche Bank in the centre of London, where our department,
Network Operations, look after the core, firewalled and global
backbone networks which stretch across the world.
I started this role having never logged onto a switch or a
router and two years later my advice is personally being sought by
the Managing Director and Chief Technology Officer of DB
Infrastructure Enterprise Services regarding processes and
procedures for provisioning new devices such as application devices
and servers.
I have found of late my reputation often proceeds me in my
meetings with various managers and directors where I represent the
DB Network Operations team.
Why are you passionate about IT and how do you show
this?
When I was growing up, my father was a computer salesman in the
age when computers were the up and coming thing and the Internet
was in its infancy, so I had exposure to the industry from a very
young age.
I used to watch with fascination as my father built computers
for friends and family and often helped insert hard drives, memory
sticks, ISA and E-ISA cards. Of course these were the days when
hard drives were measured in a few Mb rather than several Gb as
they are now.
From there I pursued my dream of working in IT studying anything
I could that would assist in that dream becoming a reality.
Unfortunately at the time, my school did not have an IT class or
GCSE so I studied and passed Maths and Physics A-level as the next
best thing whilst also completing a CLAIT and Integrated Business
Technology evening class when I was 18.
In fact, so passionate was I about having a profession in IT,
that when I saw my Computer Science degree was failing to get me a
job in IT at Fidelity Investments, my first job from University, I
actually resigned my position and worked part time in a gym and did
an A+ and N+ part time course to give me the equivalence of
"Hands-on Experience". Once I had passed those I was able to get my
desktop role at ViewSonic Europe Ltd and the rest, as they say, is
history.
Why should you be chosen as an IT
Superhero?
If you wish to fight the stereotypical image of IT professionals
being geeky, I believe my social and personal life outside of work
will do this profoundly.
I am a black belt in a Korean Martial art called Kuk Sool Won
and have many national tournament medals including sparring,
weapons and empty hand forms.
I was the president of the Karate Club at the University of
Essex between 2001/02 where I was also a member of the University
Bowling team. I received a University award for my contribution to
both clubs.
I studied Shao Lin Martial arts in the Wu Dang mountains in the
JiLin province of China for 12 hours a day for several month
spanning 2004/05.I am a Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award holder and I
have led the Croydon Open Duke of Edinburgh Award for youths in and
around the Croydon area for several years now. This includes
expedition training for 16 - 25 year olds, such as leading them on
hikes in places such as Snowdonia and the Peak District.
I currently workout between five and 7seven times a week so I am
at the peak of physical fitness and due to my twice weekly Kuk Sool
sessions, I am still able to do various acrobat moves such as
rolls, handsprings and somersaults.
My current favourite activity on top of all the above is to ride
my brand new Honda version of a Harley Davidson at any opportunity
I get!
Still haven't made up your mind? Watch the videos
again
Made your decision? Place your votes now