Every successful company has a powerful engine driving its progress, and for us, that is our incredible Tech Team. While they don’t operate in the spotlight, their work is front and center – from keeping our products running smoothly 24/7, to helping various departments within DiRAD, to innovating the tools that define our future. They are the foundation to everything we do! That is why this month’s Company Spotlight is highlighting the team that is the very foundation of DiRAD.
How long have you worked for DiRAD?
Addison S: I’ve been at DiRAD for 6 years.
Brandon H: 3 years, 11 months.
Zach V: I have been at DiRAD for 9 years.
Paul B: 4 years 3 months.
JVD: 10, almost 11 Years.
Max B: I have worked at DiRAD now for about a year and a half.
In short, what do you do?
AS: I’m a software developer. I instruct computers on what to do.
BH: Call flows, cutovers, trainings, demos. Genesys Cloud configurations like setting up people, WFM, roles, permissions, groups, etc.
ZV: I am the senior full stack web developer. I work mostly on developing DiRAD’s newest products for current and future customers, mainly IVRs, Web Interfaces, and AI chatbots.
PB: Tech support/ticket management, among other various tasks including porting numbers for customers, making sure their 911 configuration is setup, etc.
JVD: I am a SR. System Engineer. I design, implement and support DiRAD and customer systems.
MB: In short, my role covers a blend of cybersecurity and network system engineering. I manage and maintain both DiRAD’s internal servers and our clients’ environments, ensuring everything stays stable and secure. I’m also responsible for running our periodic phishing email tests — the ones everyone loves to hate — to help keep the team sharp and aware of new threats.
How has your job changed over your employment with DiRAD?
AS: I started out as a technical support coordinator, which offered me a broad understanding of how we meet our customers’ needs.
BH: My skills keep growing and therefore my role expands. I went from working on tickets to working on small projects to now working on all kinds of projects of various sizes all at the same time. I am currently learning JavaScript while also working on my first project that requires JavaScript. This also entails learning quite a few other things which will further expand my role.
ZV: I started as an intern! I have done pretty much every job you can do in the technical department, from boxing and mailing out servers, to upgrading OSs and tech support from really basic programming work now to working on cutting edge products for our customers!
PB: We’ve shifted most of our effots from on prem services to cloud based which is much easier, in my opinion, to manage.
JVD: Yes, I started out at a T1 Tech and quickly moved to this role.
MB: My role has evolved significantly since I started. I now handle a wider spectrum of work that spans both security operations and system engineering. This includes building new servers, decommissioning outdated ones, and responding to potential cybersecurity incidents. As DiRAD’s needs have grown, my responsibilities have expanded right along with them, giving me exposure to more advanced infrastructure and security challenges.
How much interaction does the Tech side have with other departments at DiRAD?
AS: It depends on the customer and the project, but most often I work with our billing and call center managers.
BH: This varies wildly, but I would say not too much interaction with other departments.
ZV: I think in a lot of ways DiRAD runs on technology so most of the departments interact with us a least a few times a week.
PB: Well, DiRAD is a well oiled machine. We all need to work well together to make sure the work keeps flowing. Some of us in the tech department work closer with other departments and others, depending on their role not so much. It depends on the work.
JVD: We support almost all aspects of DiRAD.
MB: While the Tech department doesn’t usually overlap heavily with other teams day-to-day, we do collaborate in a few key areas. For example, we coordinate with HR before launching phishing simulations so they’re aware and don’t accidentally warn staff. We also partner with other departments when working on client projects that require cross-team expertise. Overall, the interaction is focused and purposeful.
What advice would you give someone seeking a similar career path? Do you have any recommendations for professional networks or resources you found helpful?
AS: Take opportunities to learn new things. Show interest in projects with things you’re unfamiliar with. Online communities and free tutorials for any topic are a search away.
BH: Anyone seeking a similar career path needs to be open to learning new things and also able to take initiative. They need to be open to change and embrace newness and forever evolving environments. They also need to be creative. The best resources are going to be the internet and your peers.
ZV: I went to college for network administration but I don’t think you need college to get into the tech industry. Things are always changing and you’ll always be learning something new.
PB: Open your mind. Learn a little bit of everything. YouTube, Google and ChatGPT. There are so many resources out there to be used to figure out what you may not necessarily know first hand.
MB: My biggest piece of advice is simple: never stop learning. Technology changes fast, and staying curious is one of the most powerful skills you can have. Online platforms like YouTube, Udemy, or free community courses can be great starting points, as well as joining tech forums or cybersecurity groups. Hands-on practice — labs, homelabs, and certifications — will also help build confidence and experience.
What would happen if DiRAD’s Tech department ceased to exist?
AS: Well… we’re the best and everything we make is top quality, so all our existing systems would continue on indefinitely and require no interaction. Our prospective customers would be missing out!
BH: Our customers would be struggling to maintain their call systems and probably leave DiRAD. Also, I’d need to find a new job.
ZV: I think that we would have a lot of angry customers 😂
PB: I don’t want to think about it.
JVD: I wouldn’t even want to think about this.
MB: If DiRAD’s Tech department disappeared tomorrow, it would create major disruptions across the company. Clients wouldn’t receive the technical support they rely on, systems might go down without anyone to diagnose or fix the issues, and proactive security measures would come to a halt. Essentially, a lot of the backbone that keeps operations running smoothly would be gone.
What are some things you love about working for DiRAD?
AS: We’ve always got our hands in new things and modern systems.
BH: I love the freedom to come up with ideas and have them actually be used. I love the room for creativity. I love the opportunities to learn new things.
ZV: Excitement of working on something new everyday!
PB: The camaraderie.
JVD: Great company culture, feels like family, and the ability to work from anywhere.
MB: I really value the flexibility and positive work environment that DiRAD provides. There’s always room to learn, experiment, and take on more advanced responsibilities. I also appreciate how supportive the team is — whenever a difficult challenge comes up, there’s always someone ready to collaborate and help find a solution.
How is DiRAD different from other places you’ve worked?
AS: DiRAD is technology first. Many other places see tech infrastructure as a “necessary evil”.
BH: DiRAD is different in many ways. I feel more respected here and trusted to do my job. I feel like I always have more room to grow no matter how much I learn. Things here feel wonderfully limitless.
ZV: I think we do really big things but still feel like a small group.
PB: Everybody knows everybody. It’s like Cheers. If you’re old enough to know what that is.
JVD: I have never worked for a place that treats the employees like DiRAD does.
MB: My previous jobs gave me a solid foundation, but DiRAD offers a much more engaging environment. The work here is more hands-on, fast-paced, and varied, which has helped me grow my technical abilities much more quickly.
Tell us one thing you’re loving right now. (music, books, snacks, TV shows, hobbies, anything!)
AS: Right now my mind is fixated on an upcoming board game convention.
BH: I’ve been reading a trilogy called Arc of a Scythe, and I’m absolutely loving it. It’s a well written dystopian series with some really unique ideas, along with familiar dystopian elements given fresh twists. The story explores immortality, a unique approach to population control, and “utopia”. There’s also mystery, deception, and corruption. I’m on the third book now and can’t wait to see how it all ends.
ZV: My wife and I have been watching a YouTube couple rebuild a totally abandoned home in the Pacific Northwest. It is a fun watch: here.
PB: I’ve mentioned it before, but shooting sports. I joined a local range in my area and try to go at least once a month.
JVD: 3D printing with my two boys.
MB: I’m really enjoying spending time with my new puppy and getting to bond with him more. He’s such a sweet dog, and his affectionate, compassionate nature makes every day better.