A People-first, Tech-second Mindset
At Waident, we want our tech people to think like business people. We want the first thing that IT thinks about when starting a task is “How will this impact the user?” How will it impact his job, his time doing his task(s), the effort to learn a new approach, or maintain a new piece of tech? By thinking this way, we ensure that client’s technology is keeping its people productive, its enterprise running, and its data safe.
That’s exactly what pragmatic business owners demand.
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John Ahlberg
CEO and Founder
Specialties – Cyber Security, Strategy, Sales, Marketing
Before Waident work – CIO of national financial services firm
Started Waident – 2004
Hobbies – Fly fishing, Golf, Aikido, Disney, Hanging out with family
David Calder
Client Support Analyst
Specialties – TCoB (Taking Care of Business). Prefer a phone call over an email. Stay with an issue until a resolution is found.
Before Waident work – College Kid/Gas Station
Started at Waident – 2013
Hobbies – Skateboarding, playing with my dog Buster, visiting National Parks, occasional videogames.
Patrick Giantomasso
Director of Security
Specialties – Security and Networking
Before Waident work – Worked as an IT admin for a car dealership for a few years, and also as a engineer for a pumping company
Started at Waident – 7 years
Hobbies – If it’s competitive count me in, Soccer, Racquetball, Games of all sorts.
Sean Hanna
Chief Technology Officer
Specialties – Understanding client’s business needs and utilizing technology to meet them, Clear communication, Problem Solving
Before Waident work – Worked at Pre-Waident.
Started at Waident – 2008
Hobbies – Making and listening to music, Cooking/Baking, Brewing beer, Sports
Joe Johnson
Sr. Systems Engineer
Specialties – Networking and Security
Before Waident work – Self Employed
Started at Waident – 2014
Hobbies – Biking, Camping, Building and flying R/C planes
Natasha Kostrewa
Director
Specialties – Strategy, Support
Before Waident work – Account Manager at TechSquad IT
Started at Waident – 2015
Hobbies – Spending time with my family, traveling and finding good brunch spots
Mike Spellman
System Engineer
Specialties – network management & security; Office 365; Palo Alto & Cisco networking; Windows; MacOS; computers in general…
Before Waident work – studied Computer Science at Western Illinois, before that, worked a little construction (family business)
Started at Waident – 2019
Hobbies – recently got into Formula 1 and I look forward to the race weekends all week long. I have built a pretty extensive racing simulator I play in my living room. I’m getting into 3d printing, design, and electrical engineering a bit, as I create some custom electronics for my racing rig. Other than that, I enjoy most sports, and I have two English Pointers who love to go on runs with me before work.
Mike Thomas
Client Support Analyst/Client Manager
Specialties – Customer service
Before Waident work – Marine Corps and driving trucks
Started at Waident – 2017
Hobbies – Riding my Harley, going to the gym, and being a jungle gym for my daughters
Tami Anderson
Director of Support
Specialties – Help Desk processes & management, communication, and interpersonal skills
Before Waident work – Chicago Mercantile Exchange (Help Desk manager)
Started at Waident – 2010
Hobbies – time with kids/family/weim, volleyball, reading, reality shows
James Dodin
Lead Client Support Analyst
Specialties – Advanced Malware Troubleshooting, SSL Certificate/Web Hosting, Office 365 Migrations
Before Waident work – Dish Network Installer
Started at Waident – 2012
Hobbies – Music, Video Games, Golf
Charles Giles
Client Support Analyst
Specialties – Customer Service
Before Waident work – Served in Navy for 9 years. Did Government Contract work. Various Helpdesk positions.
Started at Waident – 2015
Hobbies – Spending time with family, watching historical documentaries, playing basketball, and cooking
Jackie Johnson
Office Manager
Specialties – Office Management, HR, Accounting, and Chairman of the Funsie Committee
Before Waident work – Finance and accounting have always been my passion and I’ve always had related jobs in the field. My current role at Waident is the perfect blend of my education, passion, and experience.
Started at Waident – 2016
Hobbies – Cooking, reading, dogs, and spending time with family and friends
Ed Konecki
Project Manager
Specialties – Project Management and Project Design and Planning
Before Waident work – Chief Technology Officer, Apex Consulting Group 2007 – 2010; Director of Information Technology RMG Enterprises 2003 – 2007
Started at Waident – 2010
Hobbies – Electric Railway Preservation including President of the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin, IL and Vice President of the Shore Line Interurban Historical Society based in Lake Forest, IL
Sherice Stewart
IT Coordinator
Specialties – Process Flow Development, Project Management, Advanced Technical Proficiency, Client Support Management, Software maintenance reporting & documentation, Data Security & Integrity, IT Service Management
Before Waident work – Deployment Lead for Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare (now Ascension)
Started at Waident – 2015
Hobbies – Movies, eating out, road trips
Dan Szuba
Client Support Analyst
Specialties – Cyber Security and Networking
Before Waident work – Went to college while working in the fitness and construction industry
Started at Waident – 2019
Hobbies – Snowboarding, adventuring, and camping