Get To Know Your CAIT Team

VP/CTO

Allan Chen - Vice President for Institute Technology

"I lead the strategic planning for Information Technology here at CalArts, as well as work with the Directors to oversee operations on a daily basis. I collaborate with my colleagues in Institute leadership on a number of projects, big and small, tech-related and otherwise." 

How long have you been at CalArts?:

Since late-2020

My idea of fun is:

Hiking and photography, hopefully combined

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC

Customer Care

Jason Dailey - Director, Customer Engagement

"The man, the myth, the legend. The inaugural 'Bingo King' at CalArts. I put the person in personality. Leader of the fearless CalArts IT Customer Care Team, and a revered #GirlDad. Jason.

I'm responsible for taking the pulse of the CalArts community and it's issues and then responding with an efficient and progressive technological solution. Allegedly, I am awesome."

How long have you been at CalArts?

April of 2014

My idea of fun is:

BBQing on my grill on a Saturday morning in the spring.

Also, sports and hip-hop.

Are you a PC or Mac person?

Mac, dont play.

Christian Bragado - Lead Customer Care Technician

Lead Customer Care Technician at CalArts! I enjoy discussing all things sci-fi and The Legend of Zelda. I prefer Mac for its design and user-friendly interface, but remain committed to using the best tools for the job.  

How long have you been at CalArts?:

Since April 2023

My idea of fun is:

Playing The Legend of Zelda

Are you a Mac or PC person?

I lean towards Mac

John Drinkwater - Customer Care Technician

"I work in Customer Care so I help Students, Staff, and Faculty with their computer and technical issues whether that be mapping a network drive or installing a printer or just getting them connected to the wifi."

How long have you been at CalArts?:

Since November 1st, 2021

My idea of fun is:

Going to amusement parks, watching movies/tv shows, and playing games with my SO.

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC....also Playstation

Tyler Williams - Customer Care Technician

"Game Programmer and IT Support guy. I also enjoy making websites and learning new things. Come to the IT office and you'll see me go off about all things Super Mario, Street Fighter, Metal Gear, anything I enjoy playing. Will also show off any projects I'm working on."

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since March 2023

My idea of fun is:

Besides the games, I like going to the gym and I'm currently learning Japanese. One day you will all see me watching Anime and wonder why the subtitles are off.

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC. Half of my games are there.

Infrastructure Operations

Kris James - Director, Infrastructure Operations

"My job is a little like making books, I don't mean writing books, I make the paper... the binding. I don't write the words but I give them a place to live. A conduit by which to transport Art. A canvas for expression, except my canvas are made from electrified spaghetti and angry yelp reviews. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯"

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since Oct 6, 2008

My idea of fun is:

a song by Wingnut Dishwasher's Union

Are you a Mac or PC person?

Omitted.

Aaron Jonker - Network Engineer

"When I started at CalArts I worked in Customer Care where I would regularly engage with the community and help resolve technical issues on daily basis. I now maintain the CalArts network infrastructure while implementing new technology to insure an accommodating and supportive customer experience within our community."

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since 2012

My idea of fun is:

Spending time with my family, playing video games and watching movies.

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC

Josh Tenzer - Systems Engineer

"I help out with everything from fixing printers and setting up meeting rooms to building new systems to deploy laptops and improving our general cybersecurity. Everything that we do is in service of helping students create new art, so I love helping people work with technology as seamlessly as possible."

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since 2021

My idea of fun is:

Going to my local karaoke bar

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC

Instructional Technology

Alex Jacoby - Instructional Technologist

"I'm responsible for implementing and improving new and emerging technologies for instruction. I provide Learning Management System support, assistance in use of educational technology, and training to staff and faculty. I'm passionate about digital humanities and have actively worked to incorporate technology into my teaching and scholarship since receiving my PhD in history in 2017. As I've migrated out of the classroom, I consider it my most important job to empower faculty, students, and technology partners on a variety of technology-enabled projects to support excellence in teaching and learning."

How long have you been at CalArts?:

Since 2021

My idea of fun is:

When I'm not at CalArts, I enjoy reading books, attending bluegrass concerts, and rooting for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Are you a Mac or PC person?

Yes

Enterprise Applications

Shannon Shank - Director, Enterprise Applications

"I lead an amazing group of individuals on the Enterprise Apps team who work hard to support many of the software applications at CalArts. I also laugh a lot, right around 3pm. It feels great. You should try it."

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since 2021

My idea of fun is:

Taking walks and exercising with the family

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC

Jorge Ferro - Application Developer

"CalArts Datamancer, I work my way through the labyrinthian depths to procure and provide accurate data. My hunting grounds are SQL, Excel, Tableau, Business Objects, Informer, and Synoptix."

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since 09/10/2013

My idea of fun is:

My idea of fun is attempting to capture the human form on paper, banging on drums, and clicking heads with friends.

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC is where I spend most of my days.

Sara Vazquez - Sr. Enterprise Application Administrator

"I'm on the enterprise applications team where I help maintain existing and implement new technologies that support the institute."

'Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light.' - Dumbledore

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since January 2020

My idea of fun is:

Disney, Dodgers, beach, lobstahs, and exploring places with my husband and kiddos.

Are you a Mac or PC person?

Neither, I really don't like computers.

Curtis Bartlett - Enterprise Application Administrator

"I'm on our enterprise applications team where I help to implement new technology that will be used to support the institute. Also, when things break, I press some buttons and hope they start working."

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since January 2020

My idea of fun is:

Time with my wife and daughter, the Eagles winning and video games.

Are you a Mac or PC person?

Not what Jason said.

Maggie Goodlin - Reporting Specialist & System Analyst

"I started working with data when I was in the manufacturing world. I moved into High Ed about 10 years ago. I love 'Playing in Data', writing SQL code, investigating data, and creating dashboards."

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since August 2022

My idea of fun is:

I love swimming, playing games with my dog, and staying home on a daily stay-cation.

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC

Project Management

Jamie Williams - Colleague Project Manager

Manage implementations of systems that interact with Colleague, interact heavily with Administrative offices, manage data and produce reports.

How long have you been at CalArts?

Since 2005

My idea of fun is:

laughing with friends

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC

Andreea Kosa - IT Project Manager

"I manage IT projects by developing project plans and task lists, creating and updating project schedules and timelines, gathering and creating documentation, communicating with project teams and stakeholders, and transitioning projects to operational support. I hope to always provide whatever skillset a project team needs in order to deliver great improvements to CalArts operations."

How long have you been at CalArts?:

Since February 28, 2022

My idea of fun is:

Gaming, anything Sci-Fi, comics and anime (books, movies, tv shows, figures/statues), traveling, hot days in the ocean

Are you a Mac or PC person?

PC for gaming, Mac for everything else

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