He runs, he ferments things (like beer and sauerkraut), and he is from Tennessee. He is Remington Loose and he is coming to Networking Field Day 21 next week as a first-time delegate! Connect with Remington on the web and the Tech Field Day website. He is not on Twitter, but maybe we can coerce him into joining the fun! Let’s learn a little more about Remington!
What was your first computer, what was great about it, and what is your go-to computer now?
An Epson i386 and I was 5. My Dad came home and declared it would last us till I went to college. It made it 5 years before we upgraded. It was a 20Mhz unit with the little “step down” toggle so you could run older software that was clocked for slower speeds (8Mhz, I think?). It was great as I could play games on it.
My main machine now is an aging, Mid-2012 MacBook Pro upgraded in nearly every way. I hope Apple releases new units in the spring with scissor switch keys again so I can upgrade (finally).
Where do you see IT going in the next 3-5 years?
I think cloud platforms will continue to rise and draw energy from onsite deployments. In general, I think (hope!) automation and overlays will get more standardized and interoperable. I expect 3 (years) from now will be very similar to right now honestly.
How did you get into Technology and IT?
I loved technology from my first experience on a computer (mostly playing games). I got into IT in earnest my sophomore year of high school when I enrolled in Cisco’s Networking Academy program. I think it was in the early days of Cisco launching that program.
What do you do now? Tell us a little about your current role.
I’m titled as a Network Architect, but I really just listen to customers and then try to help them solve issues, design new things and deploy things they have purchased. I help support customers across nearly every vertical (no service providers though) and across almost any part of the networking world (except Collab). My time is split between pre- and post-sales. So, I design, and then do some implementation, too.
What are your biggest challenges?
Having enough time! That’s the most obvious, but other significant ones include keeping abreast of all the changes and new things in the networking world. Having time to study or develop new skills is a struggle too. In general, my challenges are really around time management.
If you could have ONE super power, what would it be and how would you use it?
I suppose I should pick something that would benefit all humanity to the greatest extent, but I’d likely pick the the ability to go without sleep indefinitely, without consequence. I’d use those hours to work while my family slept and then could spend the remainder of the day working to make their lives awesome. And I might get to finally play a computer game or two…
What do you do in your spare time (hobbies)?
I run a lot to help with the stress from my job. I also enjoy spending time with my family, playing euro-style board games and making beer.
How do you manage your work/life balance?
It’s a roller coaster for me. I try to take two vacations a year and one of them where I completely unplug. One is with my wife and kids and one just me and my wife. Otherwise, I try to work from home as much as I can and run as much as I can.
What is your favorite movie? Tell us about some of your favorite parts or characters.
The Bourne Ultimatum, I think. I like that Bourne uses his head and succeeds by combining his skills with advanced planning. I also like that he resists the romantic angle in that one compared to the other two.
Green tea ice cream or matcha ice is a Japanese ice cream flavor.
We’ve got to talk ice cream! We ask everyone!
I’m actually not a huge dessert person. I like green tea ice cream, in a bowl, no toppings.
If you weren’t working in IT, what would you be doing instead?
I’d likely be a woodworker. At least, that’s what I hope I’d be.
What are you most excited about seeing at the event?
I’m most excited to interact with the other delegates. I’ve worked closely with one of them (Bruno Wollmann) in getting my CCDE and he’s an amazing person. Scaling that out to 18 more people means it’s going to be an amazing few days.
It IS going to be an amazing few days, Remington, and we are so glad you are going to be a part of it! See you next week!
Networking Field Day 21 is happening October 1-4, 2019. That’s right! FOUR days! Mark your calendars, so you can catch the presentations live! #NFD21
