The Anchor Point Team
Our Leadership
Think you’d look good up there?
We’re pretty sure you’d fit right in.
If you're serious about joining us, visit our Careers page for
more information on available opportunities, who we're looking for and the
many benefits of joining our team!
Jay Smith
Although a Santa Barbara Native, Jay has lived all the way from Switzerland to Florida. He spent his college years at UC Davis where he graduated with a degree in Genetics. Ultimately, he knew that biology was not the field for him. Luckily, he was weaned on technology since early childhood as his dad was a professional scientist. Jay and his father would often bond over building gaming computers from scratch – resulting in a lot of troubleshooting! Jay’s ability to have fun while problem-solving tech issues gave way to an easy career choice.
Jay is a true lifelong learner with many quirky hobbies. He is a dedicated guitarist and devoted gym-goer. Jay is a firm believer that life should be playful from beginning to end!.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Having a support system of like-minded individuals with a great attitude is irreplaceable. With the right group of people, you can solve almost any problem.
Favorite places to eat in Santa Barbara.
Chicken Ranch and Via Maestra 42! Keep it simple!
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
To reverse aging in myself and others.
Shaniah Marquardt
Shaniah is a Colorado native and has grown up with technology her whole life! She is a growing small-time artist, which means she spends A LOT of time working with technology and using different strategies and technology-based ideas. I love the fact that technology brings people together. Whether its estranged best friends of 25 years or near and far relatives are all using technology to stay connected.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The community and work-environment are sublime. Everyone is extremely communicative and have a willingness to help no matter the issue.
Name the best place to spend the day.
Outdoors! Fishing, camping, hiking, snowboarding, you name it! The mountains are always calling my name.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
This is such a tricky question for a nerd like me, but! I’d have to say Matter Generation. The ability to create ANYTHING out of thin air sounds pretty amazing to me.
Bryan Pumphrey
Bryan has spent his adult life balancing concrete and abstract thoughts and ideas while continually striking a balance between the two. This has granted him a unique perspective on technology and design. He has been working with technologies from a very young age growing up in Chicago, through his undergrad, and in his professional career. He’s the guy you want by your side to find solutions. There is always a solution or workaround to every issue and Bryan is a solution-driven person that can meet those technical needs.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
My favorite aspects of Anchor Point are the interesting work, and the people. Everyday there is something new to learn. Our wonderful team consists of supportive and fascinating people from different walks of life with different skill levels all coming together for a common goal. We are Anchor Point Strong
Name the best place to spend the day.
On the water be it a river, lake, or ocean. There is something soothing about being surrounded by water; like being in womb, it brings clarity and new life while washing away what ails you.
If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
I would like the ability to call upon skills, any skill I need at any time be it lifesaving or tummy tickling.
Josh Novak
Josh, originally from Rhode Island, found that he enjoyed his time the most when he was outside hiking, biking, snowboarding, or simply off roading. With this in mind, he soon moved to Vermont to attend Northern Vermont University where he acquired a bachelor’s degree in Business: Administration.
Here, Josh grew a passion for finding new ways to improve sales and strategy for local businesses. Whether it was hosting an event for a local Rhode Island brewery or creating a new marketing strategy for a local non-profit, he found that helping businesses grow brought a different type of satisfaction.
Realizing that rainy days are optional, Josh moved to California where he found that he could trade the raincoat for sunscreen and still do all the activities that he loves. Josh now lives in Ventura, CA with his girlfriend, Rhea, and loves going on any sort of adventure with her (near or far).
Josh loves meeting new people and values the quality of the relationships that he builds. He strives to build and maintain high quality relationships with Anchor Point’s new and existing partners.
When Josh has free time, you can find him outside doing anything that gets his blood pumping or spending time with family and friends. When he has extended time off, he is passionate about travelling and learning about different cultures.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The team! Everyone is driven and willing to help one another exceed their goals. Anchor Point has an environment where you are always able to learn; and this is appreciated even more when we can have fun doing it.
Name the best place to spend the day.
The best place to spend a day for me is somewhere that I have never been before with family and friends. I love the adventure of being somewhere new, especially with the people that I love.
If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
Teleportation! Having friends and family all over the world, it would be nice to just pop in to hang out on occasion.
Matt Olexiewicz
Matt has a lifelong passion for technology and figuring out how the world and everything functions. He grew up building his own computers from parts and learning on any system he could get his hands on. After high school, Matt received engineering training from the Navy and served onboard submarines. Once his journey in the Navy was completed, he briefly worked in sound and video on the set of a few movies in Los Angeles. Matt was called back to technology and learned a new love for project design and management while working and living in Ventura County since 2012. Matt started a new chapter of his career and life in the summer of 2022 when he joined the team at Anchor Point as a Project Manager and is quite excited about creating solutions with bigger scales and impacts.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Anchor Point has a positive and supportive vibe with every team member eager to help our Partners and each other.
Name the best place to spend the day.
The best place to spend the day is somewhere you feel safe and comfy with people ya love; the beach or riding around on my bike with my pup (Paco) sounds pretty great 🙂
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
If I could choose my own superpower, it would be to tap someone on the shoulder and be able to understand their thoughts and feelings...and allow them to understand me as well!
Ricardo Alvarez
Ricardo was born in Georgia but raised in Texas and now lives in Littleton, CO with his wife Krysta, their little puppers Sasha, and soon their son, little Kenji. He is a self-proclaimed college dropout (too expensive) but completed the IT program for his computer career.
Ricardo likes to learn about new things that catch his interest. Most recently this includes printing his own trading cards. He enjoys blacksmithing, BBQing, playing guitar, and discovering new things to do or places to visit in CO. Spending time with his wife, playing video games with friends, and cooking are also on his list. He still remembers the days when he would stay up all night playing Zelda, MGS, and Halo.
Ricardo got into IT at an early age. He used to help his Stepdad with installing Windows and troubleshooting their home PC. Since then he has built his friend’s computers and even got the chance to hardwire a house.
His favorite part about IT is the people you meet along the way and that it is ever growing. There are so many new technologies out there that are constantly evolving and adapting with so much to learn. It never feels dull.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The people. They are kind and helpful. There is always someone here willing to help.
Name the best place to spend the day.
Relaxing next to my wife by the fireplace as the snow starts to fall. Or in the mountains after snowfall with access to a private hot spring, unlimited food, and unlimited drinks.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Can I cheat and say Creation? It’s op. The ability to create whatever, whenever you want.
If I can’t cheat, then I would like to have control over the elements like Avatar the Last Airbender.
Bryant Henderson
Bryant grew up in the south, Atlanta to be specific. He loves fishing, playing football and sweet tea! As a kid growing up in the 90’s and early 2000’s, he has always loved computers/IT. He says that the power that the Internet represents is simply amazing.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Anchor Point is a great place to be. The closeness of the teams and the opportunity to bring IT solutions to business and see the impact is really rewarding.
Name the best place to spend the day.
The best place to spend the day for me would be on the lake with a fishing rod & unlimited bait.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
I would choose the ability to memorize every book that I read.
Josh Leung
Josh was born and raised in Salem, Oregon but escaped the cold, wet rain to go to Santa Barbara for his undergraduate education at Westmont College. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, not expecting to get into the field of IT. However, IT was exactly what Josh was looking and found a way to integrate two things he loves: learning and helping people. These passions continue to drive Josh to help the team and our partners find the best solution to their tech problems.
Josh is now married to his High School sweetheart, Kim, and together they have a daughter, Jojo, and a son, Oliver. After living in Santa Barbara for 13 years, they moved back to Oregon and now live in Lake Oswego to be closer to family. When he has free time, he likes to play basketball, BBQ, and hang out with family and friends with the occasional board games. Settlers of Catan is a family favorite.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“A fantastic team and company values aligning with my own personal values.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
The Lark and Los Agaves
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“I would love to have a superpower of not needing any sleep. Just imagine all of the work you can get done!”
Chad Wulf
Growing up in Missoula, Montana, Chad came to love the outdoors and technology. When he wasn’t out running through the mountains with friends, he found a passion in working on electronics. The Forest Service gave him his first opportunity to dive into IT, supporting technology in wildfire camps. Chad has continued to learn more and build his IT skillset. He enjoys that the ever-changing technology landscape brings new challenges every day.
When not trying to solve the IT problems of the world, Chad is hanging out with his amazing wife and two dogs or engaging in one of his many hobbies: 3D modeling/printing, programming, hiking, or playing video games.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
What I love most is the people. It is an amazing group of people, from many different backgrounds, all working to provide the best support possible. Everyone is willing to help however they can and do it with a smile on their face.
Name the best place to spend the day.
Really depends on how cold it is! Most days of the year, nothing can beat being in the Mountains. On those especially cold days, come find me in an old school arcade.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Teleportation. I love travelling and if I could go anywhere in the world without sitting on a plane or paying for plane ticket, sign me up.
Alex Jeon
Seoul baby with soul! Born and raised in the lively city of Seoul, South Korea; Alex can still retrace the steps of his old neighborhood, recalling the simple times of sledding down frozen alleys with broken cardboard boxes. Now having lived in Southern California for almost 20 years, he cannot ever see leaving its beautiful, one season climate.
Alex had an early exposure to computers when he used to hang around a local mom & pop computer shop in Seoul. Admittedly, he was more interested in the video games he could play on the computer and all the allowance he could save by not going to the coin arcades. Once he got into computer games, Alex began building and tinkering with different computer hardware as a hobby. While studying Cinema and Television Arts in college, he realized his true passion was in technology.
Hobbies include exploring new cities, trying local restaurants, video gaming, and music festivals.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
he people and the technology. Anchor Point is a conglomerate of the brightest and caring individuals, all helping each other to succeed. To top it off, Anchor Point is always on the cutting edge of emerging technologies. As a technician, exploring new technologies as they are released brings me great excitement.
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara
Lily’s Tacos
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Power to have all powers! Muhahahaha.
Playground rules dictate this illegal so teleportation!
Tom Dechert
Tom grew up in the Midwest, lived in Kazakhstan for few years, then Chicago for a lot of years, then bush Alaska just to make it interesting, and finally to Colorado which is like Alaska but with more civilization and less salmon. He enjoys getting out to the mountains for the occasional 14er, west coast swing dancing, and trying not to get folded like origami at his jiu-jitsu gym.
Tom studied Psychology at Illinois State University and worked in the social service field for several years before switching gears and jumping into the world of tech. He has since accumulated several certifications including the Comptia Network+, Security+, and Solarwinds Certified Professional certs for NPM and SAM. He enjoys learning new technologies and using it to improve people’s lives.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Great camaraderie among the staff.
Favorite place to eat in Colorado.
That’s a tough one, probably the Hapa Sushi Grill.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Telepathy like Professor X, I’ve already got the haircut!
Michael Rey
Born in Colombia and raised in the Netherlands, he then immigrated to the US. Michael’s life focuses on 3 things: his family (Christine, James, and Emilia), IT and video gaming. Mostly in that order if time allows for the third one.
The last two are pretty tied together. Learning IT became a necessity in order to enjoy gaming at the young age of 10; which is when his mother brought home their first computer. Not long afterwards, he got his very own PC with basically zero knowledge on how to use it for gaming. To make it work as advertised, it required a great deal of upgrading and tinkering. However, he could not get some games to run properly, so through trial and error (and completely breaking the PC many times over) his IT expertise seemingly grew out of thin air.
That same attitude has carried him through the field of IT. Whether it was fixing PCs in the local Colombian community in the Netherlands as a teenager or providing business level solutions today; if your technology is not serving your needs, Michael will put in every effort through diligent research, creativity, and empathy to make it work tomorrow.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“Awesome culture and hunger for knowledge across the board. A team that learns together is strong together!”
Name your favorite place to eat in Colorado
“La Choza in Boulder has some of the best tacos around.”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Mastery of time and space would be nice to have.”
“Mastery of time and space would be nice to have.”
Todd Phillips
Originally from San Diego, Todd has spent over twenty years living in Ventura County. He got into computers at young age, building his first 486 PC at ten years old. He and his brother would connect their computers with a serial cable to play Doom together. Since then, his hobby in computers and video games has grown.
After getting his BA in Communication from CSU Channel Islands and working for several non-profits, Todd has spent the past eight years full time in the IT field. During his off times, Todd can be found spending time with his wife Nicole, playing video games, growing his board game collection, playing guitar, and volunteering with his church.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The people. It is wonderful to be part of a team who truly cares about each other and wants to see the best for everyone.
Name the best place to spend the day.
Cardiff Shores beach in San Diego with my family.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Teleportation. It would be fun to visit any place I wanted to in the world at a moment’s notice.
Barb Guigliano
Barb lives with her wonderful husband, incredible daughter and two large dogs. Having lived in Hawaii, Florida and Iowa, she returned to the Santa Barbara area to be near family. When she isn’t working on home improvements, she is out antique and thrift store shopping in search of a good deal.
Barb strives to make sure our partners receive excellent customer servicewhile spreading joy along the way. She enjoys being the hub for all that is happening and makes sure that our partners hear a friendly and empathetic voice on the other end of the phone.She also considers herself quite “punny,” as she enjoys a good dad joke with the best of them!
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“Our team. We work hard and have fun while doing it.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara
So many... Jane at the Marketplace has been pretty awesome lately.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Manipulate time.”
James Sievers
Though originally from the Bay Area, James has made Santa Barbara his second home and never grows tired of the fantastic Mexican food. He loves to travel and seek new adventures, ranging from Yosemite hikes to scuba diving, traversing Icelandic glaciers, and traveling across the US by train.
James studied Business at Westmont College where he also collected minors in Music and Religious Studies. Most weekends are spent playing roller hockey, cooking for his superhero wife, playing music way too loud, and dressing his infant daughter in oversized San Jose Sharks attire.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The team at Anchor Point is great fun and makes the work day much more enjoyable. You better not receive embarrassing sweetheart mail or leave your computer unlocked though, you will pay a steep price.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Padaro Beach Grill has great food and an unbeatable atmosphere. Mony’s Mexican Food also has a special place in my heart and my weekly budget.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“I would love the ability to be in multiple places at once. Think about it—Christmas with both sides of the family, you could go to the concert AND that meeting you committed to, or one of you could always be sleeping…”
Matt Klein
During his childhood, Matt’s dad was in the Navy, so he grew up in Philly, San Diego, Philly, and Tampa, FL. Matt completed his undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania and earned a Masters in Educational Technology from Michigan State University. After living in Vienna, Austria, and Santa Barbara, CA, Matt moved to Boise, Idaho, because he loves potatoes and affordable housing. He lives there with his wife, 2 daughters, and their inflatable cat.
Matt got hisfirst computer, a Commodore 64, when he was 7 years old. He spent many weekend hours poring over the BASIC programming manual that came in the box. 10 PRINT “MATT IS COOL” 20 GOTO 10 - Infinite coolness. That kicked off a passion for computers that continues today. Heenjoysthat technology is always changing and always improving, which keeps himlearning and adapting. Matt has an eye to improve efficiency for our partners and our team, and works to make it faster for our team to identify and resolve issues.
In addition to cheering on the Phillies and the Eagles, Matt enjoys running, playing softball and coaching his daughter’s T-ball team. Matt is a nickname magnet, tries to bring humor to situations even when they aren’t funny, and once accepted a challenge to a drinking contest from a British man.It was hot tea!
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The people I work with are awesome.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Mony’s
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Flight.”
Matt Klein
During his childhood, Matt’s dad was in the Navy, so he grew up in Philly, San Diego, Philly, and Tampa, FL. Matt completed his undergraduate work at the University of Pennsylvania and earned a Masters in Educational Technology from Michigan State University. After living in Vienna, Austria, and Santa Barbara, CA, Matt moved to Boise, Idaho, because he loves potatoes and affordable housing. He lives there with his wife, 2 daughters, and their inflatable cat.
Matt got hisfirst computer, a Commodore 64, when he was 7 years old. He spent many weekend hours poring over the BASIC programming manual that came in the box. 10 PRINT “MATT IS COOL” 20 GOTO 10
-Infinite coolness. That kicked off a passion for computers that continues today. Heenjoysthat technology is always changing and always improving, which keeps himlearning and adapting. Matt has an eye to improve efficiency for our partners and our team, and works to make it faster for our team to identify and resolve issues.
In addition to cheering on the Phillies and the Eagles, Matt enjoys running, playing softball and coaching his daughter’s T-ball team. Matt is a nickname magnet, tries to bring humor to situations even when they aren’t funny, and once accepted a challenge to a drinking contest from a British man.It was hot tea!
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The people I work with are awesome.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Mony’s
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Flight.”
Timur Nasafi
Timur worked at a computer shop in a small town at the age of 15 and has been involved with technology ever since. He finds problem solving through technical solutions incredibly satisfying. A transplant to Santa Barbara, Timur has been sucking up the sunrays and burritos for over 4 years.
He loves traveling, trying new things and trying hard succeeding as a foodie. When not flipping through a book or watching his millionth Ted Talk, Timur is a self-proclaimed “music & culture junkie” and goes to all the shows and museums within reach. Favorite genres include Indie Rock/Metal, R&B/Hip-Hop and Jazz Fusion. He does not believe in checks (“paper free, baby!”) and fanboys over Elon Musk.
You’re likely to find Timur scarfing down a sandwich and a beer in the Funk Zone, cycling on the backroads, or socializing at local events.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“Growth. Anchor Point truly is about helping people and businesses grow, and I love the reflection of that in our culture. Best place to work!”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
The Nook
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Teleportation, duh!”
Scott Luebke
Born and raised a few miles outside Portland, Oregon, Scott joined the Air Force and travelled the world. It was while he was stationed in Italy that he began researching parts to build his first computer. That interest and passion for technology and learning has led him to earn a number of certifications including CompTIA Network +, Allworx VoIP certification and CompTIA Security+. He is currently working towards his Microsoft MCSA Server 2016 certification.
Scott now resides in the Santa Ynez Valley with his wife Chelsie, their two adopted daughters, Kate and Amelia, and a goldfish named Katniss that they won at the Santa Barbara Fair in 2015. Scott loves bicycles of all kinds, working on computers and networks, playing guitar, watching sports, and going on “dates” with his daughters.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“I really enjoy meeting people and getting to know them. Anchor Point and I fit together so well because we share that value. Loving computers and people don’t always go together, but it does for me, and it does for Anchor Point, and that’s one reason I love working here.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Jane.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Shapeshifter.”
Craig Thommes
San Diego born and raised, Craig went to UCSB out of high school and now resides in Ventura with his wife Catherine, and their two cats, Polly and Mango. Craig’s hobbies include racquetball, automotive tinkering and customization, long drives without a rational destination – or a rational destination for an irrational reason. He is a huge fan of pro football and hockey (Go Kings Go!)
An innate curiosity about the workings of electronics, mechanical systems, and the exponential growth of information technology guided Craig towards a career path with an opportunity to be inquisitive in a constantly evolving field. He particularly enjoys engineering creative tech solutions to address challenging needs.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“It’s great working with an exceptional team to help our exceptional partners.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“My current experience is relatively limited to lunch in the Funk Zone. So Mony’s.”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Time Travel. With that, you can pretty much do anything.”
Benn Smith
Hailing from the East Bay, Benn is a graduate of Westmont College with degrees in Mathematics and Computer Science. He is certified in Net+, Datto and is working on obtaining his MCSA. In addition to riding his bike to work, Benn can recite Pi to 90 digits, which is not as many as Sandra’s daughter Kate.
In his free time, Benn enjoys watching pro Starcraft, listening to prog metal, and Modern-format Magic the Gathering. In addition to problem solving for our partners, Benn provides the office Joke of the Day and is the most handsome person in the office.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“Because AP provides me currency in exchange for services rendered.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“Patxi’s! As a bay area native, I’m authorized to say that it’s better than Zachary’s. Fight me James.”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Telekinesis, provided I can use it on myself and achieve pseudo-flight.”
Jose Carreno
Jose was born in Santa Barbara and now resides in Solvang. Jose can be found hitting the mountain biking trails on the weekends and weight training on weekdays. He also loves the thrill of riding his longboard down steep hills and taking his electric longboard on short commutes around town.
In high school, Jose found himself with extra room in his schedule, and he filled it with a Computer Repair & Networking class. A teacher noticed his interest, and pushed Jose to apply for a scholarship, which enabled him to obtain a number of certifications after graduation. This, along with an interest in reviving dead gaming consoles for his friends led Jose to a career in the tech field. Which is now funding his movie and concert-going habits.
Jose’s passion for learning, enjoyment of interacting with people and joy in helping others with any and all tech needs makes him a great asset to the Anchor Point team.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The people are big part of it. Both in our office and the people met through our partners. I have had great memorable moments made both inside and outside of work because of the folks I’ve met.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“Currently in love with The NYC pastrami sandwich at Norton’s.”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Teleportation, hands down. Would breeze through my onsite appointments for the day, could travel to new places on the weekends, never be late to a concert or movie, and can commit the occasional bank robbery with ease.”
Robert Perez
Robert grew up in the Slums of Shao-lin AKA: Van Nuys, CA. He moved to the Central Coast to follow a girl, who he is now married to, so turns out that was a good choice after all. He enjoys PC gaming, programming, web development, and listening to full albums. One of his favorite pastimes is responding to any and all comments from the team with a “doubt it!”
Robert entered the tech field because of the endless opportunities. He believes that no matter what subject you like, tech integrates into it and constantly makes more and more of an impact. He is currently pursuing a BS from Trident University and is an Apple Certified Associate 10.12. He hopes to get more certifications and make himself an even better resource to our partners and our team.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The team culture at Anchor Point is unparalleled.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Patxi’s pizza
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Telekinesis. Being able to fling things with my mind sounds like a good time.”
Amanda Lawrence
Amanda grew up in Southeastern Massachusetts. She moved to Santa Barbara in 2013 after suffering through one too many New England winters and wanted to find somewhere she could be outdoors year-round. You can now find her hiking in the Santa Ynez mountains, playing volleyball on the beach or stand up paddle boarding on the Pacific Ocean. In addition to a love for writing with fountain pens, Amanda openly admits to never missing an episode of The Bachelor.
With a BA from the University of New Hampshire, Amanda has explored Computer Science coursework at Santa Barbara City College and is currently working on a BS in Computer Science from Oregon State University. Her interest in tech stems from her love to create and learn new things. Additionally, her attention to detail makes her an asset to our team and partners.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“We have a lot of great and funny people working here so it creates a great work environment.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Loquita!
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Flying.”
Curtis Takaichi
Raised in Las Vegas, Curtis headed to UCSB for college. After spending time living in Japan, where he picked up his snowboarding habit, he has returned to Santa Barbara with his wife. In addition to collecting vinyl records and studying Japanese, Curtis enjoys playing board games. His guilty pleasures include listening to “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, and watching the movie “Starship Troopers.”
Curtis enjoys the problem-solving aspect of the tech field. He enjoys having to think critically to find a solution to a road block. In addition to a deep understanding of hardware and diagnostics, he brings to the team a strong familiarity with the Macintosh Operating System. Curtis is ACMT Certified, has his Network + certification, and is working towards his Windows 10 MCSA.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“Anchor Point puts a tremendous amount of emphasis on culture and team mentality. It’s a place that has really pushed me to look past just my technical abilities but to really zero in on my personality traits.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Recently, I’ve been really digging Shalhoob.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Instant transmission / teleportation.”
Joseph Gonzalez
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Joseph lives with his wife Chelsea, their son Kaz, and their four-legged furry feline friend Hazel. Joe can be found barbequing, hiking, shooting hoops, playing disc golf or going to any and every park with his son Kaz. He also enjoys practical jokes, which often involves messing with his colleague’s computers.
Joseph grew up in a tech family, with his dad working in the IT field for more than 30 years. After earning his BA from ASU, Joe was drawn into the tech world because he enjoys the challenges and the fact that it is always changing. He aims to provide the best customer relationship experience making our partners fans of Anchor Point.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“It is full of a bunch of great people.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Opal
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Wolverine’s healing power to repair my knees.”
Scott Ericson
Scott has always been a closet techie. However, his niche is building relationships and partnerships and then serving them in a sincere and genuine way. He enjoys discovering ways to help grow our existing and new partnerships, as well as contributing to the growth of the team.
Scott is a Santa Barbara native. He and his wife Cheri have raised 2 children and are now enjoying their 3 grandchildren. In addition to playing golf, woodworking and reading, he can be found doing projects around his 109-year-old home.
Prior to joining Anchor Point, Scott worked with The Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce, for an organization in the nonprofit sector distributing copay assistance to patients with chronic diseases and in the pharmaceutical industry.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The values and culture with this incredible team. Everyone has the same goal – to help and guide our partners to reach their goals”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“Wow, so many great choices – Toma, The Lark, Jane, Chuck’s, Buchon, Boathouse…well, I can go on and on, but the growth of my belt and the shrinkage of my wallet forbid me to continue.”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“To prevent everyone in the world from being hurt.”
Dane Jorgensen
Born and raised in Carpinteria, CA but with citizenship in both the US and New Zealand, Dane has been in the IT field for over 10 years. He’s the father to three beautiful and intelligent chickens Goldie Hen, Chick Norris, and Victoria Peckem. Dane has a passion for gardening, games, and guns. His love for computer games is what brought him into the IT field and continues to be part of his life.
Dane enjoys building business and personal relationships with those that he works with. He finds reward in helping others solve their technical and non-technical problems. If he wasn’t in the IT field he would be helping people in a different capacity. In addition to being a fan of Nicolas Cage and his acting career, Dane also enjoys sporting a mohawk from time to time.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“Anchor Point is a fantastic team of people working toward providing the best IT service for our clients.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“I love ramen and I highly recommend Craft Ramen SB on State Street.”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Flying. No more flying economy class!”
Luis Ramirez
Luis and his wife live in Oxnard, he has lived there his entire life. They have a Maltese dog, named Bella. In addition, he has a large extended family, every weekend there is a family party. During these gatherings you will find Luis eating and joking with his family.
In his family he is known for being the last one to leave the table. He says, “I try to leave but the burritos and pastor quesadillas are too good.”
Luis completed his Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from National University, Port Hueneme, CA.
He is a self-taught guitar player. Luis would like to spend more time playing so he could add more songs to his guitar playing repertoire.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“I really like the Anchor Point company culture. “Everyone works hard to get their job done and does so in a kind, helpful and respectful way.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“Los Agaves (Wet burrito or Guadalajara Enchiladas; hands down)”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Teleporting, then there wouldn’t be any more commuting traffic!”
Maureen Hislop
As a California native she loves the warmth of the sun on her face and warm sand beneath her toes. She is a wife to Dan, mom to Hannah, Zachary,
Matthew and Maggie their golden retriever. Connecting with others is one of Maureen’s favorite things to do. You have heard there are 6 degrees separation from Kevin Bacon?
Well there may only be a few degrees separation from anyone she meets. It helps that facial recognition is also one of her gifts.
If she has met you before, 9 times out 10, she can pull you out of her visual database and remember something specific about you.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“Joyful is a company core value and I see joy lived out every single day by my co-workers.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“Toma for fancy & Mony’s for everyday delicious!”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Remembering to get my coffee cup out of the microwave.”
James Sievers
Originally from the Bay Area, James has made Santa Barbara his second home and never grows tired of the fantastic Mexican food. He loves seeking new adventures, ranging from roller hockey and surfing to scuba diving, paragliding, and traveling across the continental US by train.
James studiedEconomics and Business at Westmont College, where he also collected minors in Music and Religious Studies.Your basic nerd, he works with numbers, contemplates supply chains, and wonders just how much Google actually knows about us.He is often found playing music at church or traveling the world with his superhero wife, Annie.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The team at Anchor Point is great fun and makes the work day much more enjoyable. You better not receive embarrassing sweetheart mail or leave your computer unlocked though, you will pay a steep price.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Padaro Beach Grill.Great food and unbeatable atmosphere.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“I would love the ability to be in multiple places at once. Think about it—Christmas with both sides of the family, you could go to the concert AND that meeting you committed to, and one of you could always be sleeping...”
Jim Eddy
An active and outdoor guy, Jim enjoys playing soccer, ultimate frisbee, mountain biking and hiking. He can be found coaching teams for his kids Henry and Evelyn, or spending time with his wife Amy and their newest family member, Reagan. If for some reason you ever need to recall a line from a Chevy Chase movie, Jim is your guy, especially if that movie happens to be Fletch.
Jim entered the tech field because of his passion to grow and to be a lifelong learner. He enjoys constantly discovering how much more there is to explore and to understand. In addition to finding pleasure in helping people, Jim is an asset to Anchor Point because of his ability to find creative solutions to business problems. He has an ability to listen to what people want and a persistent willingness to thoroughly deliver.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The people!”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Lucky’s
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“To fly like a bird.”
Paul McLean
A Santa Barbara native, Paul graduated from Westmont College, where he met his wife Karen. Twenty years into marriage, they live with their two boys, Cade & Spencer, and their family mascot, a Labrador Retriever named Tucker. When he is not working, Paul can be found playing, coaching or watching soccer. He also enjoys mountain biking, hiking and camping.
Paul didn’t feel like handing out maps at the AAA held a promising future, so he dove into IT where he found a great intersection of the things he loved: learning and helping people. He now works to help our company, its team members and our partners grow to their fullest potential.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“I have a front row seat to see our team members and organization’s growth.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Los Agaves on Milpas or De La Vina but not the Goleta one.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“I have a long list of places on Earth that I would love to fly over with a cape.”
Chris Wicks
Chris grew up in Santa Ynez and Santa Barbara, but now resides in Colorado with his wife Amity, their children Owen & Darby, their dog Piper and a Kingsnake named Hairy Cheeto. In between spending time with his family, Boy Scouts activities, volunteering at church and helping with the children’s ministry, Chris enjoys fly-fishing in the great outdoors.
The ever-changing world of technology was a draw for Chris, who enjoys learning and constantly growing. The unexpected joy he has found in the field is the relationships he is able to foster. Chris enjoys serving those on the other side of the need. Chris works to be clear on the details without overwhelming others and seeks excellence in all he does.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The People! We have a great team.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Los Agaves
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Pausing time.”
Brian Patterson
After living his whole life in SB he and his family moved to Santa Ynez Valley in 2017. He is husband to Silvana, and daddy to Elizabeth, Lilly and Sofia. His house is full girls, which includes lots of music and lots of dancing. Brian loves to spend time with his family going on walks or exploring the great outdoors. He also spends time playing a variety of instruments, but primarily Guitar. If Brian is not playing music or spending time with his family, you can find him playing and or watching sports, specifically basketball. Brian has held a multitude of jobs in the tech world including programing home automation systems and high-end theater systems, as well as defense contracting cyber security. He has certifications in Allworx VoIP, and CompTIA Sec+ and is working towards new certifications in Microsofts office 365 environment.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“As someone who has worked at Anchor Point previously and desired to return after a stint away, I can tell you, I love IT but also discovered that I truly enjoying helping people with their IT needs. Anchor Points approach towards this was a huge part of my desire to return here”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“Yellowbelly and Taffy’s”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“Teleportation”
Salvador Hernandez
A Santa Barbara native. He and his wife Colette love to travel. They have traveled by car the whole length of California exploring its many deserts. Ever been to the Alabama Hills, in California? They have. They are now checking off Yosemite and the Redwoods from their list. Tropical adventures to Hawaii and Cancun have also been very memorable.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“I love how Team Centric everyone is! We work together to solve Partner issues.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“Your Place Thai Food on Milpas, the Tom Kha Chicken soup is a favorite.”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
“My super power would be to Fly!”
Damian Quintana
Damian grew up in Northern Colorado. His got his first job at McDonalds at 16 years old and became a manager by age 18. After leaving his manager position at the age of 20, Damian enlisted into the Air Force Security Forces (Air Force Police). He spent 6 years serving, the first three years were spent at Nellis Airforce Base, Nevada and the last 3 were spent in Italy at Aviano Airbase. His time in the military taught him the true meaning and value of hard work, dedication, and integrity. As well as how to be a leader when needed and the meaning of comradery.
During his last 3 years, he worked closely with many of the Airforce’s fine computer technicians and found his true passion for computers. After serving his 6 years in the military working as a dispatcher, troubleshooting computer systems as well as dispatching base police units, he took on a job as a support technician for The Homeland Security Information Network before joining the Anchor Point Team. Damian was Introduced to Megan, his fiancé, by his mom. He and Megan love to read, go bowling, and cook together. They make a delicious balsamic chicken recipe.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“It is the People! Anchor Point has a great group of people that you want to work for and work with. It is a welcoming group. I am motivated by both the team and the environment.”
What enlarged animal or insect would you ride into battle if you could:
A Spider
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Telekinesis
Jacob Wall
Jacob Wall grew up near Tyler, TX in a small town called Bullard, his early years included football & theater. He starred in Hello Dolly! as Mr. Vandergelder and The Wizard of Oz as the Cowardly Lion. Jacob goes to Western Governors University, where he studies Cyber Security and Information Assurance.
He has earned a number of certifications including CIW Site Development Associate, ITIL IT Service Management, Comptia A+, Comptia Net+, and Comptia Sec+.
Through mutual friends, he met his wife McKell. They enjoy going on walks, watching movies together, their favorite genre is adventure & Rom Com. TV Comedies like Brooklyn Nine Nine, Modern Family and The Office are a few of their favorites. Currently, their time is spent being parents to their new baby boy Warren.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Even working remotely team spirit is very strongly felt. Anchor Point is an environment conducive to personal growth and care for others.
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“In the short time that I was in Santa Barbara Los Agaves was the best plate of food I had.”
Animal into battle what would it be?
An eagle
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Super Intelligence!
Ben Eggli
Ben was born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA. He and his wife Chelsea live in Vista, CA. They love being together; going out to eat, watching movies and spending time at the beach. When Ben isn’t working or studying Cyber Security, he enjoys building furniture out of reclaimed wood and gardening. His favorite place to camp is in the mountains near Mammoth.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The people at Anchor Point care about each other more than just co-workers, AP cares about their people, training and remote work flexibility.”
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“Ichiban Sushi, on the Mesa.”
If you could ride a giant insect into battle what would it be?
“A Praying Mantis or a Scorpion.”
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
The power to pause time.
Dana Rossi
Dana grew up in both Covina and Wrightwood, CA. After completing high school, he started college and then quickly left to join IT industry full time.
As a Technology Consultant, Dana has provided IT support and direction to his Santa Barbara clients for the past 20 years under the business name, Netgen. His experience includes industry work with Accountants, Professional Services, Healthcare organizations, Manufacturing, Federal, State, County, and local departments of government. He has extensive expertise in Microsoft Server Operating Systems, Virtualization, Cloud Services as well as many different lines of business applications.
In addition, Dana has experience implementing new security products in keeping with the evolving cyber security landscape. He holds certifications in Microsoft, Cisco, Citrix, VMware and many other technologies. Since joining Anchor Point, Dana now assists us with Technical Account Management, Solutions Design as well as Technology Evaluation.
When Dana is not working on IT solutions, he enjoys making southern style BBQ, running, and snowboarding.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
As Netgen, we always had a “client first” vision. When I was first introduced to Anchor Point, I immediately recognized that our visions matched. Now I work with an entire team who treats our clients very, very well. With the extra help from our support teams, I now can provide real guidance to our clients in “road mapping” the technologies/solutions that their companies need.
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara
“I cannot name just one single place: Opal, Los Agaves, Boat House, Harry’s, Cal Taco & others”
If you could have a superpower what would it be?
The ability to make computers work ALL the time, then I could snap my fingers and all IT problems would be gone.
John Inzalaco
John grew up Northern New Jersey, he has been interested in tech since he was a child. He has been in the IT field for nearly 15 years. John says, “Technology inspires me to be the best I can be.” Another one of his passions is cooking. Since he was a kid, he has baked for family parties. His specialties include: Cheese cake, cookies (well known for his cookies), pizza, and bread. He also loves barbeque. He has a smoker and has smoked: brisket, ribs, and turkey legs to name a few. When John isn’t behind a computer or in the kitchen you will find him hiking or spending a day at the lake. John has traveled to Europe 3 times, in the last 3 years. Visiting Italy, Greece, & Switzerland are the next countries on his list.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I really enjoy the comradery and the friendly environment within the whole company.
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Los Agaves
What enlarged animal/insect would you ride into battle if you could?
A Falcon
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Instantly teleport & Food teleport device
Nick Gianis
Born and raised in Eagle Rock, CA (small suburb in northeast LA), Nick has lived in San Diego, Frisco, Texas, and has been calling the Santa Ynez Valley home since 2007. He met his wife, Shani, in high school and they have two daughters and a son. As a family they love traveling together and are always planning the next adventure.
Nick earned his B.S. Degree from San Diego State University where he studied business management. He has spent his career helping businesses with sales, business development, marketing and management.
When he’s not working or traveling with his family, you can find Nick cycling around the Santa Ynez Valley or at home fixing/improving something (he’s an Enneagram 1).
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I love working with companies that are humble, eager to learn, and growth minded. Anchor Point is just that type of company.
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Tyger Tyger in the Funk Zone
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Perfect Recollection
Jay Banks
Jay was born and raised in California. He absolutely loves watching and playing basketball, playing video games and spending time with friends. He became interested in computers at the age of 9 and had the benefit of learning about computers through courses in high school. Since then Jay has been exploring many aspects of IT, but landed on Cyber Security as his challenging passion. This comes from wanting to make everyday life a bit more secure as we enter a new age of advanced technology.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
There are a few things, but the main reason is how great my manager is!
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Zaytoon!
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Time travel!
Nick Conti
Born and raised in Santa Barbara. He has traveled to Canada, Mexico, England, France, and Italy. He got interested in working with computers late elementary school with Windows 2000 and started building his own computers late Jr. High/Early High School. He attended Santa Barbara City College to learn Computer Networking with Photography on the side. It was in college that he realized his passion for going out into nature and taking pictures.
Model railroading has always been a lifelong hobby starting with his first Lionel set back in the 90’s. Now it has evolved into joining clubs and going to meets with club members or other enthusiasts. At home he will either break out his garden trains or throw up a live cam to watch trains go by.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Working with the team and the culture that we all work hard to build up and maintain.
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
Rusty’s Pizza
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Being able to dive into the digital world at will and interact with it.
Mike Stuart
Mike was born and raised in South Africa where his favorite activity was surfing! He lived in Ireland for 4 years and eventually moved to the USA where he met his wife, Krissy. He has three kids and loves to go biking and skateboarding with them. He has moved around the United States several times (Illinois, Minnesota, California, Washington) and currently lives in Washington, just south of Canada. Mike studied Music and Education in college and is now focusing his studies on Cyber Security.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
“The team at Anchor Point are wonderful and are a joy to work with! “
Name the best place to eat in Santa Barbara.
“Los Arroyos on Figueroa! Their Shredded Beef Chimichangas are the best!”
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
“Flying!”
Kyle Stidom
Kyle is originally from Morehead, Kentucky but grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He played basketball his entire life which led him to attend and play basketball at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. He graduated from Taylor with a bachelors’ degree in Sports Management. He then received his Masters’ degree from Concordia University Irvine (Irvine, CA) in Leadership and Athletic Administration.
His first taste of marketing/sales was with the Indiana Pacers where he started in a Ticket Sales position before being promoted to Corporate Sales. It was with the Pacers where he fell in love with the partnership side of the business. He loves building relationships with the partners and providing a service that helped them grow.
Kyle moved to Colorado in 2019. He met his now wife, Kellie, shortly after, and they got married in October of 2020. He currently lives in Littleton, Colorado with their 2 dogs Olive and Dottie.
After moving to Colorado, He joined SALT Marketing as an account manager where he partnered with IT support companies across the country to help them with sales and marketing efforts.
He loves building relationships and partnerships with companies and people! Kyle wants to continue to build relationships with AP’s current partners and build new relationships with new partners that will contribute to both our growth and theirs.
When he is not working, you will find him coaching and playing basketball. He also loves to play golf, read, and spend time with his wife and family playing cards and board games.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The people and culture of AP is what I love the most. It’s a growth-minded company that is passionate about helping our partners which align with my core values and passions.
Name the best place to spend the day.
The golf course...Or anywhere with my wife
If you could have a super-power, what would it be?
Time Travel
Jacob Sabatino
Born and raised in Covina, CA, Jacob left the heat and went to UCSB for college. He now lives in Ventura with his girlfriend and their dog Churro, who is a cute little corgi. He is a big fan of Hockey and Football (LA Kings and Baltimore Ravens!) but finds most of his enjoyment in competitive Esports (Cloud9 is his favorite organization) and anime. Gaming was a huge part of his life growing up, and it became an avenue into the tech world.
Tech is an ever-changing puzzle, and Jacob relishes in the chance to push himself every day. If he can make someone’s day better, even if in the slightest, he counts it as a victory. He always looks forward to helping others.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Anchor Point brings that human touch to a world of wires and circuits. The people here are all amazing in their own rights.
Name the best place to spend the day.
Biased by my time in Santa Barbara, I would have to go with the beach. It is extremely peaceful.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation seems to be everyone’s go to answer, but I prefer getting places by my own two feet. If I were to pick, the ability to talk to animals would have to be my superpower. Sometimes it would be nice for my dog to understand why he cannot eat trash off the floor.
Alexander Whiteknight
Born and raised in Minnesota, Alexander spent most of his free time in the long winters tinkering with his computer when he wasn't gaming on it.
After attending university at UC Santa Cruz (Pooorterrrr!) he naturally found himself in Colorado as he was drawn to its scenic beauty, four seasons, and variety of recreation.
Alexander saw a natural fit in IT as it combines the things he likes most in life - collaboration, education, and support. He finds IT's opportunities to always be learning and helping others as especially rewarding.
When he's not diving into all things tech, you can find Alexander biking around the city, hiking in the mountains, or skiing at one of the nearby world class resorts.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The people! It's great to be a part of such an amazing and supportive team with unified goals.
Name the best place to spend the day.
On the mountain no matter the conditions. There is no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing!
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Teleportation.
Miles Noe
Miles grew up in Leucadia and played competitive soccer including one year in college. He has had a passion for motorsports since he can remember. Lamborghini Countach and Big Foot monster truck were familiar posters in his room as a child. Miles has a welding, fabrication, and mechanical background which spans everything from full-suspension mountain bikes to trucks which race the famous Baja 500, racing motorcycles, restoring vintage cars worthy of the Concours d'Elegance, and Prerunning adventures in Baja. He remembers being at Riverside Raceway, The Long Beach Grand Prix, and Laguna since he could barely walk. He passionately admires each of these machines as a work of art and the beasts they are in their own respect. These days he enjoys danger on his mountain bike, suspension tuning, and being outside with nature; although nothing compares to being with wife and twin boys Jameson and Wyatt. They make him tick, are his true heroes, and he loves them more than anything!
Around 2001, Miles’ intuitive nature peeked, when he built a computer with his dad purchasing all the parts at Frys. Then, while building a Rally car for the SCCA Pro Rally series he had an opportunity to program the ECU. Connecting up a laptop was an eye-opening experience getting to see all the parameters that could be tuned and tweaked!
Since then, he started and operated a computer consulting business PCM, and then went on to focus on the needs of business clients and EVO IT Solutions came alive. This was a business model much like Anchor Point, and with some life altering changes came the opportunity to work along-side a team at Anchor Point where he has been excited and honored to be part of our team.
Miles’ favorite part of IT is much like his passion with motorsports. The ability to identify a goal, put together a competitive solution, and improve upon it to be competitive within best practices. He is passionate about being able to see all the moving pieces and make the most out of now and steps toward the future. A firm believer in that performance equals productivity and efficiency, Miles, is as excited to see a race car perform just as much as a business. His gratification comes from the results!
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I love being back on a team and has brought back memories of growing up playing competitive soccer and working together as one machine, which is beautiful!
Name the best place to spend the day.
Easy, anywhere with my beautiful twin boys Jameson and Wyatt and to turn that up a notch, we would hop in a 3-seater Trophy Truck and blast across the Baja Peninsula making our own tracks, free as birds!!
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Super-fast learning, kind of like in the Matrix!
Super human brain processing to tackle any task with precision and accuracy.
Kevin Torres
Kevin grew up in Miami, Florida, where he is grateful that he was exposed to so many diverse cultures, which meant good music and better food. He discovered his love for music when he began playing cello in the 3rd grade. That love has evolved into a passion for music that has become what feels like his purpose on this Earth. In his free time, he enjoys photographing wildlife, metal detecting on the beach and listening to jazz records at home.
Kevin got his start in IT when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2015, and since then he has been exposed to many different IT environments. His hungry to learn more. His favorite part of IT is that it is a field that forces you to never remain dormant or comfortable in your level of knowledge. Technology is always changing – and so must we who support it.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
In my short time here, I have already realized that the people at Anchor Point are more than coworkers – they are family. A family whose personal bond comes first, which then creates a strong motivation for productivity that keeps our partners functional.
Name the best place to spend the day.
At the peak of a mountain, enjoying a cold drink of water after a long hike. Or, sitting on the beach listening to Herbie Hancock albums.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I would love to talk to animals. Who hasn’t wondered what goes through the minds of seagulls at the beach?
Courtney Jessamy
Courtney’s family has always been into technology. She remembers being one of the first people to ditch dial up and get DSL. She grew up in New Rochelle, NY, but finished high school in North Carolina. She attended college at UNC-Charlotte for Management Information Systems.
Her favorite part of IT is that it’s always changes and there’s always things to fix.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The people make the company, it’s a great group of people with different personalities that somehow all seem to mesh well.
Name the best place to spend the day.
Anywhere near the water. Living in a landlocked state, I’ll settle for any lake or river now.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
The ability to eat as much food as I want with no negative effect or need for exercise.
Garrick Muse
Garrick grew up all around Southern California. He was born in San Pedro, California, and ended up living in many places such as: Long Beach, Palmdale, Lancaster, Rialto, Montclair, Ontario, Ventura, Goleta, and Solvang. He currently lives in Camarillo. Garrick ended up picking up the guitar in middle school (Dana Middle School), which led to participating in all the musical programs throughout his schooling. He played percussion, guitar, piano and sang.
As a young video game player, he had an old Compaq Presario computer. The day Garrick took that computer apart and fixed it, was the day he found his passion for IT. His favorite part of IT is relieving the stress of all the end users. He always loves to be part of someone’s solution rather than the cause of someone’s problem.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I love working at Anchor Point because of the friendly team atmosphere that you see when you arrive to work. Everyone wants you to succeed, so they make sure that you have what you need to be successful. Also, the management team genuinely cares about their employees.
Name the best place to spend the day.
The best place to spend the day is away from your computer.
There is a unique experience and calmness that nature provides you with that technology cannot.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
My superpower would be to be highly intelligent. Being intelligent will help me make better decisions and find the best solutions to a problem.
John Schweinhard
John is originally from Oxnard. He has lived there since 1979. His interest in computers started at a young age. His dad bought his first computer, a Tandy, when John was about 8 years old. In 2012, he graduated from Charter College with an AS in Computer Science. Previously John worked at Cox Communications for 7 years.
His favorite part of IT is helping people. He has always been very technical and figured this would be the best way to use his skills. John loves computers, old cars, and his family. He has 2 goddaughters and 2 nieces that he adores.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Everyone at Anchor Point is so friendly and helpful. They treat their employees very well and it shows.
Name the best place to spend the day.
The best place to spend the day is near the ocean. I love the smell of ocean and Santa Barbara is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
If I could have a superpower, it would be the ability to heal the sick. Everyone should be healthy, so they can enjoy this wonderful life.
Kevin Torres
Kevin grew up in Miami, Florida, where he is grateful that he was exposed to so many diverse cultures, which meant good music and better food. He discovered his love for music when he began playing cello in the 3rd grade. That love has evolved into a passion for music that has become what feels like his purpose on this Earth. In his free time, he enjoys photographing wildlife, metal detecting on the beach and listening to jazz records at home.
Kevin got his start in IT when he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2015, and since then he has been exposed to many different IT environments. His hungry to learn more. His favorite part of IT is that it is a field that forces you to never remain dormant or comfortable in your level of knowledge. Technology is always changing – and so must we who support it.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
In my short time here, I have already realized that the people at Anchor Point are more than coworkers – they are family. A family whose personal bond comes first, which then creates a strong motivation for productivity that keeps our partners functional.
Name the best place to spend the day.
At the peak of a mountain, enjoying a cold drink of water after a long hike. Or, sitting on the beach listening to Herbie Hancock albums.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I would love to talk to animals. Who hasn’t wondered what goes through the minds of seagulls at the beach?
Christopher Hernandez
Christopher grew up in Oxnard and has spent the last 7 years living in Ventura. He attended Ventura College, where he studied art. Painting, making art and surfing is where you will find him when he is away from his computer.
As a kid, Christopher's dad said he would buy him a computer if he could learn to put the computer together himself. Since then, he has had an interest in computers and everything that can be done with them. Christopher's interest in the IT field has only grown and expanded since his dad challenged him to build his own computer. His interest turned into a desire for a career in IT. He is looking forward to continuing this journey with Anchor Point.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
While I am still new to Anchor Point, one thing that immediately stood out to me was the people I have met and the environment that exists here. I am looking forward to really getting to know the team and getting a better idea of what Anchor Point is really about and how I can support those that need it.
Name the best place to spend the day.
My favorite place to spend the day is at the beach. Whether it is surfing or just relaxing with my friends and family, you cannot beat the ocean.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
I would want to be able to teleport more than anything. To be anywhere at any time would be the ultimate power.
Tony Garcia
Where you grew up, and schooling, hobbies etc
Tony and his family were free spirited/gypsies who traveled to different cities but their home base was with relatives in Central California. It is also where he, his mom and his sister attended college. His hobbies are painting, drawing, reading and photography. His favorite pastime is spending time with his dog, a chihuahua cairn terrier mix. Tony is so grateful and blessed to be able to share life with him.
Why do you love working for AP?
Coming from working in Healthcare, I was looking for a non-medical field that gave back to people / the community and that’s what I’ve found with Anchor Point. I found my Tribe. We want the best for humanity and how we can help each other in our capacity.
Fav places to eat in Santa Barbara:
Oh, I have a few favorite eateries in Santa Barbara! Breakfast at Jeannine’s is a great way to start the weekend. Metropulos is a great Greek deli; Rudy’s on Montecito Street is my fav Mexican spot (try their chicken crispy taco!). They have quite the salsa selection too! My go to for cake is Fresco next to the Lobero Theatre. You must try their coconut and chocolate cake! Jane Restaurant is a close second for their coconut cake.
If you had a super-power what would it be?
If I was able to have a superpower, I’d have to choose the ability to communicate with all animals / mammals / insects. Imagine understanding their perspective of the world and being able to hear the conversations, from the birds, to the dolphins, to my dog when he sees his friends on our walks. Also to ask the ants to stop breaking in my apartment and stealing food crumbs.
Richard Vosloo
Richard grew up in a small South African town called Polokwane. He spent most of his life there going to school, college and meeting some of his best friends with whom he is still in contact. This includes his high school sweetheart. A special woman he holds dear and is now his fiancée. They have been together since 2013 and are still going strong. Recently, they moved to Johannesburg and are exploring everything together as a soon to be married couple.
Online gaming and technology are Richard’s main hobbies. He has been playing games since he was 5 years old on a windows XP computer. He is the go-to for fixing anything technology related for his family and friends.
He chose IT because he wants to make other people's lives easier when it comes to technology. Nothing brings him more joy than knowing he has helped other people with the knowledge he has.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I love working at Anchor point, because everyone is friendly, people take time to help you, there is time for work and time for laughs, they have amazing standards and morals, I just wish I had the opportunity to work with them sooner. I definitely think other companies could learn a lot from Anchor Point.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
At home playing online games with my friends or watching movies and series with my Fiancée (soon to be Wife).
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
My superpower would have to be intelligence, like Tony Stark aka Iron Man from Marvel, with super intelligence like he has, I would be able to build teleportation devices, time traveling devices, a suit of armor to fly around in, build Ai’s like Jarvis in the Marvel movies that can assist me in all my needs. I would be able to learn everything quickly, help the world out, and the sky wouldn’t even be the limit.
Christine Jones
Christine was born on a military base on the east coast and moved around quite a bit, as both of her parents were in the Military. As a child, she spent her days after school helping at her grandmother’s exotic animal pet store. She attended several different schools but obtained an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts and a Bachelors Degree of Science in Information Technology. Snowboarding is a big part of her life along with her family and animal friends.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The team at Anchor Point is absolutely wonderful.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
At the peak of a mountain.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
The power to heal.
Arno Jansen
Arno is an IT professional based in South Africa. Originally from Orange County, he has found his place in the vibrant South African tech community. Arno's true passion lies in the world of Motorsport, where he actively participates in occasional races, fueling his excitement and love for speed. Alongside his zest for technology and racing, Arno cherishes the breathtaking landscapes of South Africa. From the vast savannahs to the stunning coastlines, he finds solace and adventure in exploring the diverse wonders of his homeland. In addition to his love for technology and the thrill of racing, Arno has a special fondness for Schnauzers and is the proud owner of five of these lovable furry companions. When he's not immersed in the IT realm or chasing his need for speed, Arno can be found spending quality time with his family and their Schnauzer pack. With a perfect blend of technical prowess, a thirst for speed, an appreciation for nature's beauty, and a love for his furry friends, Arno continues to make strides both in the IT industry and on the racing circuit.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Despite my relatively short tenure at Anchor Point, I have quickly recognized the company's unwavering commitment to employee well-being. It is evident that they genuinely care about their staff and are dedicated to fostering their growth and success. Additionally, I find great satisfaction in the opportunity to engage with diverse individuals on a daily basis, assisting them in resolving their IT inquiries and challenges.
Favorite place to spend the day?
Spending the day in nature and going on hikes is one of our favorite ways to escape the busy pace of everyday life. It allows us to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and immerse ourselves in the serene beauty of the natural world. Hiking offers a chance to explore new trails, breathe in the fresh air, and truly appreciate the sights and sounds of the great outdoors.
My Super-Power wish
If I could choose a super-power it would have to be omniscient. Unlimited knowledge would be a fascinating ability. It would enable me to provide accurate and comprehensive information on any topic, solving intricate problems, and assisting users with an unparalleled depth of understanding. This way, I could be even more of a valuable resource. In the end of the day, knowledge is power.
Manny Ortiz
Manny was fortunate to grow up in the Military. He lived in exotic places like the Philippines, Panama, Germany, and Kentucky.
He has a vast list of things he enjoys doing away from work. He loves to fiddle around in his vegetable garden, go downhill mountain biking, camping, and fly fishing. His newest hobby is smelting metal that he collects and is just learning the ins and outs of this hobby.
Manny got started in IT in the late 90s, he started out as Jr Network Admin working for COLOs and large service providers. Since then, he has found his niche in Desktop support.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Anchor Point is chock full of positive people, people looking for solutions and not to blame someone.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
Keystone Colorado fly fishing
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
The ability to transport to new places in the blink of an eye. Imagine going to Calcutta for lunch and Paris for dinner all in just blink of an eye.
Ryan Bravo
Born in the vibrant coastal town of Ventura, California, Ryan's journey has been marked by a profound passion for music, where he delves into all areas to express his creativity. Aside from music, he finds solace in the rhythm of golf swings and the thrill of carving down snow-covered slopes as an avid golfer and snowboarder. While Ryan reveled in the tranquility of golf courses and the exhilaration of snow-covered mountains, his professional path took an unexpected turn. After dedicating 14 years to the culinary arts as a chef, Ryan decided to embark on a new adventure: Information Technology. He looks forward to embracing opportunities for growth, learning, and innovation. Ryan's goal is to make a lasting impact by harnessing his creativity, resilience, and dedication to excel in this ever-changing IT landscape.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I love working at Anchor Point because of the culture and camaraderie. This is what initially drew me in to AP in the first place and it’s been great!
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
Either in the Mountains or on the Beach
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Being able to fly. It would be fun to travel to new places and experience views that are not available otherwise. Also, not having to deal with traffic would be a plus!!
Johan Rheeders
Johan was born and raised in Kempton Park, South Africa. He received his primary education at Edleen Laerskool and then attended Afrikaans Hoër Seuns Skool in Pretoria for his secondary education. Johan has completed over 50 certifications in the IT field and continues to learn daily. He enjoys spending time with his family and the outdoors, with hunting, fishing, hiking, off-road cycling, and 4x4 excursions being at the top of his list. Johan’s impressive 25-year IT career began when he was sitting in church one Sunday morning, and the head deacon made some announcements, one of which was for a company looking to employ young school leavers interested in IT. Johan’s mother pinched him on the inner thigh and suggested he speak to the deacon after the service, and the rest is history. Starting as a cabling installer and progressing through all the technical fields into software development and ultimately landing in IT Project management, he has worked through all spheres of the IT field.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Johan recently joined Anchor Point and became part of the family instantly. This was one of the main reasons for Johan’s decision to start with Anchor Point. Anchor Point treats people as people and always tries its best to remove the stresses of IT out of IT for all its partners. Johan has always maintained that one of his strongest attributes in life is “adding value to those around him” and he felt this is what we at Anchor Point also strives for.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
Johan can be found outside in the nature reserve across the road from his house most of the time if he is not in his workshop tinkering with wood and metal projects or in the vegetable garden pruning and growing his own vegetables.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Johan’s superpower would be, “the ability to pause time”, because time is often overlooked, even though time is an extremely valuable resource that should never be wasted. No one knows when their time will run out, which is why it’s important to make the most of every moment.
Dylan Gitchell
Dylan grew up in Santa Maria, CA and now currently lives nearby Arroyo Grande.
He has spent years taking a lot of different classes at Allan Hancock College from automotive and music classes to music and engineering classes.
Dylan has been fascinated with technology as long as he can remember but it really started when his parents let him put their old desktop in his room when he was six years old - he has not stopped since. He was attending school for computer engineering when he got his first field tech job and then decided that he would like to stick with IT for a while.
When he is not working, Dylan enjoys hiking, playing guitar, and attending concerts up and down California. He is also looking to get another motorcycle after an accident totaled his back in 2021, so he can travel with it to visit friends and family in nearby states.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I really enjoy the warm welcome that I received from everyone that I have met and I am excited to see what the future holds while at Anchor Point.
Also, Barb and Joy helped me get my favorite sandwich from Norton’s while I was training, and that was the best example of “going the extra mile” that I can think of.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
As simple as it might sound, my favorite place to spend the day is at and around my house in Arroyo Grande. I feel spoiled because with just a short drive I can get to my favorite restaurants, bars, hikes, and at home I can play guitar or lay in my hammock as much as I want.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
I would like the power to answer any question correctly.
Daniel LaForce
A Maryland native and father of two, Daniel has spent over 28 years in Colorado, which he considers home. Born to a military family, he's lived in various places, including Virginia, Puerto Rico, Utah, and California. Daniel enjoys a mix of hobbies that blend creativity, adventure, and a whole lot of geekiness. These include 3D printing, rockhounding, four-wheeling, cartography and engaging in development and robotics. When he finds time, he immerses himself in the world of gaming.
Daniel's career trajectory shifted from customer service and entrepreneurship to a focus on IT and technology. This led him to establish Go-Go Gadgets, a repair shop for computers and mobile phones, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The birth of his daughter in 2013 was a turning point, steering him towards continued education. He has since earned an AAS in Computer Wide Area Networks and a Bachelor of Computer Science.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
At Anchor Point, I'm surrounded by a team of technology enthusiasts. It's a place where my passion for tech and collaboration with a World Class MSP team converge, creating an inspiring work environment.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
It is hard to pick just one, so I will pick two. I'm drawn to Lake George for its challenging yet rewarding experience of mining Amazonite and Smokey Quartz. At 9100+ feet, the physical demands are outweighed by the area's stunning beauty. If I just wanted to relax in pristine quietness, I would like to do so at the secluded waterfall at Wheeler Lake near Breckenridge.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
“Teleportation, without a doubt. It's the ultimate way to feed my love for travel without the hassles of airlines. Plus, being able to teleport my luggage along would be the perfect bonus!”
Bryce Romero
Bryce grew up in Victorville, CA where he spent 5 years on a competitive robotics team that traveled the country. This helped spark his interest in technology whether it involved building, troubleshooting, or programming.
After graduating college from UCSB, Bryce continued his tech journey and gained many certifications in IT support and data analysis. He has goals to pursue a career in Cybersecurity and ethical hacking. Bryce hopes to gain critical experience through Anchor Point and is eager to learn anything and everything about computers and networking.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Anchor Point creates a great environment for growth. From the start, I have noticed that Anchor Point has a wealth of knowledge and resources to learn from. This is extremely important to me as I am early in my tech career. I look forward to gaining diverse skills through the people and tools that I will interact with daily.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
My favorite places to spend my day on are the couch playing video games or going to the park to hang out with my dog Oreo.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
The only right answer is telekinesis, you can lift objects and lift yourself to fly!
Johan Myburgh
Johan was born in a town called Kimberley in the Northern Cape South Africa and lived there for the first 3 years of his life. His family moved to a small town called Heidelberg in Gauteng province where he grew up, completed schooling, and went on to complete his degree in Bachelor of Informatics.
After school and during studies, he got introduced to a small computer firm called Think-IT Solutions. He proved his worth to them, and he got a full-time position where he started his career as an end user support engineer. Johan kept on studying and learning from all his fellow engineers and this skilled him up to be the engineer he is today.
When Johan is not working, he likes spending time in nature and has a big interest in Archaeology, which he spends time learning and researching the past to understand the future. He also enjoys his video games when he cannot spend time outside. Johan also recently started learning photography, but he said it’s a big learning experience.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The Anchor Point family is amazing and so kind, and the best part is no matter your differences, they love you for who you are.
Name your favourite place to spend the day.
Cradle of humankind and any beautiful place in nature.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
The ability to time travel and be a timekeeper. I would love to travel back in time and experience history for myself.
Pedro Caceres
Pedro was born and raised in New York City, in a neighborhood called Washington Heights. After earning his high school diploma, he went about learning all he could about IT. Pedro watched tons of videos, and used practice labs online - making sure he understood things he was learning. He also used lots and lots of flashcards. Continuing to demonstrate his hunger to learn, he has used his commute time to study for new certifications.
During his free time, he enjoys playing video games with friends or driving around looking for peaceful places to relax near the mountains or a lake. Some of his time is spent exploring Denver, since Pedro has lived here less than a year, he knows there is still so much to discover.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I love working in Anchor Point because it provides me with the opportunity to grow in an ever-changing industry. There is no shortage of learning, with numerous partners and problem-solving opportunities. I’m relativity new in Anchor Point but in the short time in being here everyone has always offered me a hand and they make you feel like family.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
My two favorite places to spend the day are either at home, where I play video games, chat with my friends in NY/NJ and go to the gym and pool for some exercise. The other place I would like to spend my day is in the car because I would either go to a lake or drive up to the mountains and enjoy the scenery.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
If I had a choice in power, I would most likely pick teleportation, who wouldn’t want to never be late for anything ever again?! Having the power of teleportation, it would just clear my head. I would go visit the cherry blossoms in Japan during my lunch break or pray every day in Mecca - plus I would never have to worry about a flight ever again.
Li Jung
Li was born and raised in New York City, and moved to Colorado when he was about 13. He graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Computer information system degree. His hobbies are spending time with friends and family. He is also a foodie, so he likes to travel to different cities to try the local food that is available. Li enjoys being active, playing sports like basketball, golf, bowling and snowboarding.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
The people here are always friendly and helpful.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
Las Vegas, because there is always something to do for everyone. And there are always new restaurants to try out.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
To have all the abilities of a Super Saiyan like Goku in Dragonball Z
Joy Greenburg
Joy grew up in Carpinteria and attended UC Santa Cruz, where she earned a BA in History. After several years in Santa Cruz, she came back to Santa Barbara County to be with her family. She has two teenage daughters, Kaia and Ashlynn, and a guinea pig named Brownie. Joy enjoys gardening, being creative, reading and enjoying the beautiful area where she lives.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
Everyone who works here is sincerely kind and incredibly supportive.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
As a Carpinteria gal, I love Jack’s Bagels, Delgado’s and Esau’s!
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation – no more traffic!
Jack Zarifis
Jack is from the Bay Area and grew up in Alameda, California. He loves spending time with his two cats, Wally and Wanda, cooking and participating/running trading card game tournaments. Jack has the CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ certifications and enjoys constantly learning about all facets of IT.
His curiosity at a young age led him to become fascinated with technology, as he would take everything apart from cars to VCRs to see how the different systems are connected and function before putting them back together. This same curiosity is what drives Jack to dive deeper into IT concepts and to never stop questioning things and learning.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I am excited to get to know all the team members at Anchor Point and learn from those around me.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
My favorite place to spend the day would be soaking in the sun and spearfishing on any of the beaches on the island my family is from in Leros, Greece.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Time Travel!
Jorge Mendez Herrera
Jorge grew up in Santa Maria, California, and attended Pioneer Valley High School. He played both on the tennis and soccer teams. He still enjoys both tennis and soccer recreationally as well as biking, hiking, kayaking and walks on the beach. Currently, fishing has become his main hobby. Jorge also enjoys multiplayer video games like Wii games or collaborative sports games.
Jorge’s interest in breaking things apart and building them back together makes him a perfect fit for the service team here at Anchor Point.
Why do you love working at Anchor Point?
I enjoy working at this IT company because of the team. They create a positive and collaborative environment that makes communication smooth and enjoyable. The opportunities for hands-on and remote work continue to grow, allowing me to excel with the support around me. I take pride in representing the company's genuine values and strive to reflect them in everything I do.
Name your favorite place to spend the day.
My favorite place to spend the day is anywhere in nature, preferably the beach. Montana de Oro in Los Osos is a must see, or a lake day, Cachuma being a favorite.
Or the complete opposite, spending the day at home, while everyone takes care of their duties. The sound of productivity is soothing
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
The power to speak with/understand any animal