Happy Hour:  Sharing a 12-Pack with Teddy Benz of the IT Department

You started with MB at the beginning of this summer in the IT department.  What has that experience been like?

It’s my first “real job,” using my schooling to some degree.  In the past, I did more work outside, with my hands, labor-wise; so this is my first office job.  I think the thing that I was most surprised about is how active and busy everyone is.  I thought I would come into the office and sit at my desk and, you know, work by myself. But I have had the chance to interact with lots of people in their offices and people come in and ask questions. There’s a lot going on here!

 

What were some things you see as areas where MB can grow with regard to our IT needs, whether it’s infrastructure or shift in perception, or tech in general?

I am working with Bill on our transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and Office 365.  That’s a huge change for a culture that has been so used to one system for a while. The major thing that people have a hard time with is storage: going from an “on-premises” server to cloud based servers remotely, is a difficult thing to grasp for some people, which is understandable.  However, not a ton has changed for the user, just where the information is stored, and how much more.  Another thing that is great about the migration to Office 365 is SharePoint for communication and file sharing capabilities.  It will allow better communication between the office and the field with the ability to share things in a timely manner.  It will be a lot more efficient and a big step forward.

 

What brought you to the IT world?

I was always interested in electronics and my HS offered Advanced Placement Computer Science and I loved it.  Then the internship and the ability to continue to help Bill and work here through school was offered and here I am.

 

What has been the most challenging part of your work, here at MB?  What has been your favorite part?

SharePoint is the most challenging part of working here so far.  There are so many ways to do things and a lot of intricacies, so grasping it and wrapping my head around it has been a little overwhelming.  My favorite part is helping people here, especially helping Van set up the 3-D printer. I have one and I love using it and introducing people to the 3-D print world.  Plus, I like unboxing new toys.

 

Five years from now, where is Teddy Benz? What is he up to?

Being a dual major in Computer Science and Digital Media Art, there are so many possibilities so I don’t know that I can select one just yet.  The world is always changing, especially in technology.

 

What are some of the biggest misconceptions that people have when they view IT?

I’ve found that people don’t fully get the concept of storage drives.  For example, we have the H: Drive and T:Drive in which everyone puts things here and there, sometimes not knowing whether files are actually stored on their computer’s local storage or on the server. SharePoint will assist in centralizing this and helping greatly with that.  It really is mind blowing.

 

Bill Hart has a million nicknames for people. What’s a good nickname for him?

I’m a fan of Van’s nickname for him: Billy Bob.  He has the right idea.

What are some of your favorite things: places to go, movies, pets, school subjects, sports, food, etc.

My favorite sport is hockey.  I played all through HS.  We have 2 dogs and 8 cats.  We seemed to not be able to say no to rescues.  My 3 favorite movies would be Deadpool, Deadpool, 2 and when they come out with the next, it’ll be Deadpool 3.  I don’t recommend the movie, Happy Time Murders; it’s very bad.  My favorite food is peanut butter and bananas.  I have that almost daily.

 

You said you play fantasy football.  Who are your studs and duds for this season?  And one deep sleeper?

Fantasy Studs:  Michael Thomas and Tyreke Hill.  Fantasy Duds: LeSean McCoy.  He might get killed this year.  Sleeper is Patrick Mahomes.  He’s already surprised a lot of people.

 

What is one piece of technology you can’t live without?  Regardless of price or availability, what’s one that you’d like most that you don’t have… yet?

Probably the most obvious: my phone.  And the thing I’d like to have is a drone.

 

What advice did your mom (Kim Benz, our Accounting Manager) give you about working at MB?

She tipped me off to be prepared for Bill Hart and his eccentricities. Bill, I say that appreciatively. You make the work day that much more interesting.

 

My favorite question to ask:  MB is turned into a movie; who do you cast to play you? How about Bill?  And your mom?

I would cast Josh Hutcherson to play me (Hunger Games, Journey to the Center of the Earth).  Bill would be Steve Carell (The Office) and my Mom would be Winona Rider (Mr. Deeds, Beetlejuice).