Spotlight Interview: Jerry Smith

Getting to Know the People Behind Just·Tech

Happy New Year! We are so thankful for our customers, employees, and all who have made Just·Tech into the family that we are today.

To show our appreciation, we’re spotlighting one Just·Tech employee each month to get to know more about them not only as an employee, but as a person, too.

We’re starting 2021 off by talking to Jerry Smith. Jerry is our Print & IT Consultant who supports all of our Just·Tech’s locations.

Sit back, relax, and learn why Jerry wakes up at 5:00 AM every morning!

Hi, Jerry! We’re excited to get to know you better, so thank you for chatting with us today. Let’s start off by telling us a little bit about yourself!

You got it! I’m from Southern Maryland and fit every stereotype that comes with that. I enjoy blue crabs, the Potomac River, and the general outdoors. I love trying new things and going to new places. I mean, just in my time with Just·Tech I have learned how to ride a motorcycle, assembled a 3D printer, camped at multiple state parks, visited the Grand Canyon, took up videography — and that’s just what I can remember!

That is fantastic! What brought you to Just·Tech?

Michael Eaton, our Director of Technology, stumbled upon me and liked the cut of my jib. He asked me if I was interested in joining the best Managed Network Service provider in Southern Maryland, which I responded to with a “YES!” Previously, I worked for the Charles County Board of Education as an Analyst, so I was excited to join a company where I could learn new technology even faster.

Michael is a great guy — we’re glad he reached out to you! What are your main responsibilities working here?

It has evolved over the years. When I joined I was on the Managed Network Services team taking helpdesk calls and providing onsite support for our customers.

Since 2018, I have been the Print & IT Consultant where I perform onsite assessments for our new and current customers to help them find the best technology services to take their business to the next level. I focus primarily on Managed Print Services and Managed Network Services and how they can increase productivity, enhance security, improve functionality, and decrease costs. I interface with the Managed Network Services team as well as Sales.

You stay busy, for sure! What do you like the most about working here?

It’s growth and purpose. Just·Tech has doubled in size every year that I have worked here and with that, I have been given the opportunity to grow along with it. I started as the 14th employee and we are now to over 60! I have taken on more responsibilities and leadership roles that allowed me to grow professionally. Being part of a small business, serving small businesses is like a badge of honor for me. The people I talk to and help every day are the backbone of America, and it gives me purpose to serve the people.

Love that answer. If a company is considering working with Just·Tech, what would you tell them?

What are you waiting for?! Haha, but seriously, we have the most talented team of IT professionals in every department from the helpdesk, sales, operations, technicians, to management. There has not been a technology issue that we could not solve; we are that well-rounded.

That is great feedback! Can you tell us a customer success story that you were a part of? How did you and Just·Tech as a company help this company or individual?

How do you pick just one?? Here’s a recent success story:

One busy afternoon, the business manager of a company we spoke to years ago called me out of the blue. Their computers were crashing and extremely sluggish and their current IT provider was slow to respond — like weeks! She had said when they finally did respond and gave her a quote for $25,000 with “computer replacement” as the sole description, she asked me if there was anything Just·Tech could do. This was a non-customer, but I let her know that we can send someone out to take a look at her computers to alleviate any issues now, and then build a solution so that they will be protected from this in the future.

We found they did not have any antivirus software, DNS protection, or an updated firewall! The machines had also not been patched or updated for a long time and most were over five years old. After our survey, we built a managed IT solution and a computer refresh strategy that we were able to start installing in a few weeks! Back in business, and running smoothly. 😎

What an excellent solution — thank you for sharing! Only a few more questions to go! Do you have any New Year’s resolutions this year?

Some people make fun of New Year’s resolutions, but I think they are a great time to set goals for yourself. I have two main ones. First, I’d like to do something creative every day. Whether that is graphic design, photography, shooting video, or cooking something different. Second, I would like to read one non-fiction book a month. Imagine all the knowledge you can get out of 12 books!

Those are both great! We’re going to have to step up our resolution game. When you’re off the clock, what do you like to do in your spare time?

You messed up and gave me the opportunity to talk about my passion, EXERCISE! Every morning, at 5:00 AM I wake up, bundle up and pump that weight. This pandemic has put a damper on my gym time, but I have built out everything I need to bodybuild at home. Fitness has been the structure I accredit a lot of my success to, and if you ever have a few hours, I can talk you into being a gym rat, too. :)

Love this (not the 5:00 AM wake-up call, but the passion for it, ha)! Thank you for sitting down with us today, Jerry! If a customer needs to reach you, what is the best way to contact you?

Customers can reach me at my email, jerry@justtech.com, or at my extension, 301-632-5555 x109.

Thank you for all that you do, Jerry! It was a pleasure getting to know you better. Here’s to a year full of health, happiness, and opportunities! Cheers!

About Just·Tech

Just·Tech, a 2020 Inc. 5000 designee is a technology company and has been keeping more than 3,000 clients happy since 2006 in providing our Print Solutions, Network & IT Solutions and custom Xerox App Solutions.

Areas we support:

Southern Maryland and Washington DC area
Northern Virginia, Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia
North Eastern Virginia and the Northern Neck of Virginia including the cities of Fredericksburg & Stafford
West Central Virginia including the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton & Charlottesville
South Western Virginia including the cities of Lynchburg and Roanoke
North Central West Virginia including the cities of Fairmont, Clarksburg & Elkins
WV/KY/OH tri-state region including the cities of Huntington, Charleston, Ashland and Portsmouth

Through our Print Solutions, we offer sales and support for Xerox multifunction copiers & printers. Just·Tech is a Strategic Xerox Partner and one of the top ten Xerox partners in the country. We also provide supplies & service support for HP, Lexmark, Dell and Brother printers. Currently we are managing thousands of copiers & printers making millions of copies & prints every month.

With our Network Solutions, we provide Managed Network Services & IT Support to hundreds of small businesses, non-profits and religious organizations. We specialize in proactive support and provide onsite & remote assistance.

Just·Tech is the first Xerox certified Personalized Application Builder Authorized Developer in the United States. With our App Solutions, we create custom apps for Xerox multifunction copiers that increase efficiency and improve workflows. Just·Tech is the exclusive reseller in the U.S. of the most affordable and complete print management app solution, PrintAnyWay. There are more than 60,000 apps that we have created installed on Xerox devices across the globe.