It has been two weeks since I stepped into my new role as Director of IT at MP Engineers+. That is also why you have not heard much from me lately. I have been deep in the trenches, settling in, observing, building, and listening.
When companies grow, they eventually hit a stage where outsourcing everything starts to create friction. Third parties are helpful. Contractors can fill gaps. But there comes a moment when the business needs someone internally who understands not just the technology, but the direction of the company itself.
MP Engineers+ had reached that stage.
They did not just need someone to fix tickets. They needed someone to see the bigger picture. Someone to connect systems, strategy, and structure. That kind of work is exactly what I love doing, so stepping into this role felt natural from day one.
Starting With What Matters Most
The first thing I put into place was a custom ticketing system.
Why start there?
Because you cannot fix what you cannot see.
If users have no simple way to submit issues, if requests are scattered across email threads and hallway conversations, you end up solving symptoms instead of solving problems. A formal ticket system creates visibility. It creates data. It reveals patterns. And patterns reveal pain points.
We already have employees using the new system. Once I am confident everything is stable and running smoothly, the legacy system will be retired for good.
I learned the importance of structured systems like this from David Millili during my time at Open Hospitality. That lesson stuck with me.
Bringing Order to Change
The next priority was implementing a formal Change Order process for major changes.
Untracked changes create risk.
Undocumented adjustments create confusion.
Informal processes create instability.
Structure may feel heavy at first, but it creates long-term freedom. When change is documented and reviewed, you reduce surprises and protect the business.
And Then I Built a Dashboard
Because of course I did.
I built a live dashboard that gives me a real-time view of what is happening across the IT landscape. Ticket counts. Status breakdowns. Workload visibility. Even an audio alert when a new ticket comes in.
Yes, the alert can be annoying.
No, I will not miss a ticket.
There is something deeply satisfying about walking into my home office in the morning, glancing at the screen, and instantly knowing whether things are calm or if something needs attention.
That mindset was heavily influenced by Wane Ketcher at ProServ. We had dashboards everywhere. Visibility was constant. And one thing was very clear. Tickets were never allowed to sit quietly in the dark.
The Road Ahead
There is still a lot to do.
Formal monitoring systems.
A true remote support platform.
Infrastructure reviews.
Long-term planning.
On top of that, the daily rhythm of meetings, contracts, vendor evaluations, and project work keeps things moving quickly.
It is a busy season. A good season.
Something I Did Not Expect
I also grossly underestimated how much spam and spear phishing increases when you update your title to Director of IT.
If you work in cybersecurity, you already know that leadership titles are high-value targets. Targeting someone who understands attack patterns, social engineering, and threat modeling is not just risky, it is counterproductive.
And to the many third parties reaching out to schedule meetings, sell services, or offer solutions, I promise you this. When I need something, I will research and reach out. Cold texts and inbox flooding are not the best way to begin a professional relationship.
Gratitude
While I was between roles, several people made a meaningful impact.
Todd, who consistently reminded me to trust but verify in everyday decisions.
My brother, who did everything he could to support me.
Brez, who kept my spirits up when uncertainty tried to creep in.
And Jarrod, who reached out constantly. Not just to offer support, but to give me a push when I needed it. That is what real friendship looks like.
Once things settle down, I hope to repay some of that kindness.
For now, I am focused on building systems, building visibility, and building a foundation that will support MP Engineers+ long into the future.
