In celebration of TECH MONTH, which recently concluded in May, we would like to highlight our exceptional Technology Services team and shine a spotlight on the individuals that are always able to find solutions to our Information Technology (IT) problems. While we often communicate with these talented tech wizards who assist us via the Help Desk, we rarely have the chance to put a face to a name. Without further ado, we present you with this opportunity to get acquainted with each of our Technology Services team members.

Ty Johnson, Supervisor of Technology Services

Greetings! I am Ty Johnson, the Supervisor of Technology Services based out of the Ft. Worth, TX office. I started with the company at the end of 2020 and became the supervisor in March of this year. I usually get to the office early and start prepping for the day. I have to have my coffee first, then I make my daily to-do list and start prioritizing for the day ahead. An ideal day for me would be monitoring the call volume and ticket count. Verifying that everything is paid on time, and all Herzog systems are in good working order. This ensures that when I go home each day with a sense of satisfaction that comes with finishing something challenging.

My favorite part of working at Herzog is the friendly and helpful environment, throughout the entire office, but especially with the Technology team, that we all bring in every day. Everyone is willing to help in any situation. I also enjoy being able to see my peers learn and grow in their careers alongside myself.

Outside of work, I enjoy relaxing with my family, being outside, and playing games with friends. You could consider me a “family man” and that is the most important thing I pride myself on. I am most proud of my three kids. It’s amazing watching them learn new things and take on new challenges every day. When my time isn’t occupied by family, I follow up on my favorite sports teams which are all the DFW teams but of course, How about those Cowboys? When sports don’t have my attention, I do spoil myself with my favorite foods such as pasta & Texas BBQ.

Jonathan Gibbons, Technology Services Specialist

Hi there, pleased to meet your acquaintance. I’m Jonathan Gibbons, one of the brains behind all things IT and printers. I’ve had the pleasure of serving the Herzog family for two years now. I was lucky enough to start out as a representative within the Texas Support Center and quickly made my way to the IT side once I saw what it had to offer.

I typically kick start my day with a glass of water to wake my cells up and can’t forget to include a heart-healthy breakfast. Most times my day starts off moderate but can turn into a day full of challenges that push me to step up to the plate. I enjoy figuring out things and finding a solution to every problem, especially if it seems impossible at first glance. My duties involve working with customers over the phone with technical issues, imaging computers, setting up equipment and you guessed it all your printer needs. My favorite part of working for Herzog would be, you guessed it, the people. We all come to work with the same mindset and end up having the best comradery of my professional career.

Outside of these walls I typically like to unwind and spend time with my animals. My hands stay full tending to my two dogs and three cats. I also dabble in home improvement projects in my spare time. When my world isn’t on the go, I enjoy binge-watching shows. Right now, I’m really into Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on Netflix. It’s a must watch.

Luz Meneses, Technology Services Specialist

Aloha! Luz Meneses here! I am a part of the Technology Services team based in Ft. Worth, TX. I had the pleasure of coming on board a little over a year ago this past April. I started off within the Support center like many of my colleagues but later transitioned into my Technology role shortly after. At first, I must admit I was intimidated entering a completely new industry I had yet to tap into but maneuvering this field has been life changing and amazing to say the least.

My day normally starts with a morning walk to take in the day and then return home for breakfast before I start getting ready for work. Normally after I’ve arrived, I get straight into my daily duties such as imaging computers, creating any new users, password resets, fixing common issues, and so much more. When I’m not occupied performing my normal duties, I like to team up with my peers to learn new things, explore new ideas, and expand my knowledge. Things like that, along with the people, quite frankly make this the best job I’ve experienced so far. It’s a beautiful experience to be a part of, especially when you have energetic and hard-working individuals surrounding you.

Outside of work, I usually spend my time reading or drawing. You could say drawing is my hidden talent. When I’m not doing those things, I typically unwind with my pet chihuahua, Mask; or indulge in my favorite foods such as pasta, or all things chicken and beef.

Cole Hansen, Technology Services Specialist

Hey there! Cole Hansen here. I’m one of your Technology Services Specialist based out of St. Joseph, MO. I am new to the company but, I see this as my “forever career home.” Ideally, I am responsible for developing and fixing software issues daily throughout the company. My daily duties include setting up new accounts and getting individuals going with their new or replacement equipment to be able to work more productively and efficiently.

When I’m not at work I normally start every day by having breakfast with my wife and kid. I love to spend time with friends and family. If I had one meal that I could eat for the rest of my life it would have to be smothered deer steaks with a side of mash potatoes and asparagus. After a great meal, I enjoy kicking back to watch my favorite movie, Tommy Boy. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a must watch.

One thing I’m great at overall is staying focused on the task at hand. One area I would love to become stronger in would be being more patient because I hate waiting to get started with my assignments. My number one motivating force every day is to become more knowledgeable each day, so I try to be ambitious by taking on as many new things as I can to become a well-rounded individual inside & outside of the Herzog walls.

Hunter Roberts, Technology Services Specialist

Howdy! I’m Hunter Roberts and you could consider me the life of the party. I had the pleasure of joining the company two years ago starting in the Texas Support Center then transitioning into the IT side of things. I work collectively with my peers to solve IT problems within a timely manner. My favorite part of each day would be working with my teammates far and near. My normal duties include assisting user with their computer and mobile device needs. I also assist with Herzog Service Inc (HSI) issues when need be. The best way to start my day would be Folgers in my cup or hot tea to get the brain stimulated.

In my free time, I love to spend time with my dog, Eri, who is a Great Pyrenees, and the love of my life. She is full of personality, goofy, and doesn’t mind letting me know what’s on her mind.  When I’m not cuddling with Eri, my favorite pass time activities would have to be catching up on sports & all things Dallas. My favorite sporting teams are of course the Dallas Mavericks, Cowboys, and Texas Rangers. It’s safe to say I bleed blue.

When those things aren’t occupying my time, I enjoy hiking and playing video games to unwind while munching on my favorite all time cuisine Tex-Mex, more specifically, fajitas.

Shay Ward, Technology Services Specialist

Nice to see you again – Shay Ward here. I would consider myself the Veteran of the IT Team. My journey began almost 5 years ago out of our St. Joseph headquarters, with boots on the ground ever since.

A typical workday in the life of THE Veteran Technology Services Specialist is pretty uniform. I like to start my day off by quietly preparing for the task at hand with an iced coffee. Something about that fresh brew allows me to prepare mentally for what the day holds. This allows me to go full force when the clock strikes 8:00AM. My job duties can range from assisting employees with IT related issues whether that is through email, by phone, starting remote sessions or on-site support if needed. I also communicate and problem solve with our team every day to provide efficient support to my fellow colleagues across the Herzog diaspora and our partners worldwide.

One thing that makes this job superior would be that I work with individuals who are just as ambitious and committed to greatness as much as I am. Having teammates around that have the same amount of drive as you, makes you want to always be at the top of your game.

When I’m not working, I love to pass the time with my fur babies, Cash and Oshie. I also go for anything outdoorsy such as basketball, volleyball, golf, or hockey depending on the season. Go Jayhawks and Blues! By evening, I love to retreat inside to unwind and get into some self-care. This is one reason why I’m more of a morning person than a night owl. Once it gets dark outside, I’m already in bed.

If I had to name one thing or person that motivates me to always strive for greatness, it would be my mom. It is because of her hard work and dedication in raising me and my sister, while supporting us every step of the way throughout life, that allowed us to confidently enter our careers. Producing the woman standing before you today.

Thank you, Technology Solutions team, for all your hard work and efforts to make our professional life easier to navigate.