I often talk about the things that \u201caren\u2019t my job anymore\u201d. For those new to KanREN, this month celebrates my 17th year at KanREN. I started on the technical side as a UNIX systems admin (not Linux in those days), and worked my way through just about every position here before my \u201cjob-jumping\u201d stopped at Executive Director in 2008. As an \u201cengineer by nature\u201d, I often comment about the technical work that I used to really enjoy\u2026 I\u2019m sure my memory has somewhat romanticized the \u201cfun\u201d that I had when I was one of the network guys. I digress\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
KanREN is a small shop, and we all have many responsibilities here. The last purely technical role I have here is as KanREN\u2019s \u201celectrician\u201d. When sizing power circuits, PDUs, breakers, and in particular -48VDC power; I\u2019m still the person who usually gets called on to do the work, or at least to consult or review specifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But even as Executive Director, being the \u201cpower guy\u201d has a benefit. I try hard to stay close to the staff and their work. While putting on a t-shirt and shorts\u00a0and heading over to the Internet2 colo to wire up -48VDC to a new Juniper MX960 is actually fun and refreshing for me, it also gives me a chance to be \u201cjust one of the guys.\u201d It helps me keep perspective. It makes me a better leader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last week I had just such an opportunity \u2014 twice actually. The first time, Brad and I got ready to start doing the work before we realized we\u2019d brought the wrong gage wire. The second time we were successful. I sometimes struggle with the value to the organization in me taking a day off from my normal duties for an activity like this. But when I do, I always end up thinking it was well worth it. This time, as expected, the work gave me perspective as a leader, let me have a little fun doing something I love to do, and gave Brad and I a chance to spend some time together as co-workers. Getting to work with the staff, just like anyone else, is really the best part.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I often talk about the things that \u201caren\u2019t my job anymore\u201d. For those new to KanREN, this month celebrates my 17th year at KanREN. I started on the technical side as a UNIX systems admin (not Linux in those days), and worked my way through just about every position here before my \u201cjob-jumping\u201d stopped at…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[60],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n