CLARK COMPUTER SERVICES - Key Persons
Clark is excited to have our Director of IT, Ashley Gurrie. After successfully running his own business for 8 years, Ashley has decided to partner his business, 34Blast, with Clark Computer Services. Ashley has spent his entire professional life working in the Tech field. He went to school for Computer Engineering before landing his first job in an IT department of a manufacturing company.
In his free time, Ashley enjoys riding his motorcycle with several of his friends. He also enjoys working on home projects. Ashley has 2 kids, Cooper and Brodie, and a lovely wife Dani. They are joined by their neurotic golden retriever mix, "Cali" (short for California. A fun fact about Ashley is that he is from Melbourne, Australia, but moved to the US in September 2007.
Job Titles:
- Advanced Support Technician
Having been with CLARK since 2019, Caleb's favorite part of being a technician is getting to meet a wide variety of people every day. Our clients tell us that Caleb is patient, professional, and knowledgeable. At home, Caleb enjoys spending time with his wife, Abby, and their two cats: a lykoi named Raff and a nebelung named Bo. Among his many hobbies, Caleb loves to play video games, cook, play guitar and bass, and watch anime. A fun fact about him is that he has broken around 80 bones in his body!
Job Titles:
- Director of Cybersecurity and Marketing
Between government contracts, Chuck came to CLARK in September of 2019, looking for a temporary technician position. After a long conversation with Darren, discussing company values, culture, and a desire for growth, something more permanent happened. Bringing three decades of experience in Information Technology, working as a technician, trainer, technical writer, and manager, gaining a great deal of experience with cybersecurity and compliance, Chuck accepted a position as Director of Cybersecurity. But in a small business, one has to wear many hats. With years of experience in website design, graphic design, and marketing as an independent author, he also took the role of Director of Marketing, building a series of new services for us to offer.
A fun fact about Chuck: Growing up in Northeast Ohio, his Grandfather taught him how to fix things and to never be afraid to jump in and get his hands dirty. To this day, when something needs doing, he channels his inner Harry Hulewat (Grandpa), rolls up his sleeves, and gets it done. We know that wherever Harry is, he's proud.
I left big business to start Clark Computer Services in 2003; not because I had a grand vision, but because I had three young children who needed their Dad around. Knowing I had to replace my salary, I went door-to-door visiting small businesses to introduce myself and ask if they needed IT support. I heard story after story from business owners and office managers about IT companies not returning calls and emails, grumpy technicians showing up late or not at all, and systems being down for days, weeks, and in some cases…months. I realized quickly that there was a clear and pressing need for reliable, honest, and professional IT support completed pleasantly and on time.
This experience created the foundation for Clark Computer Services and helped me articulate the vision that has guided the company for more than 19 years:
Jared has been an essential part of CLARK since he came on board. His positive attitude and strong work ethic helped to set the standards for our white-glove service! Arriving at work early every day and among the last to leave, Jared's favorite part of working at CLARK is developing strong relationships with clients. He enjoys spending time with them and learning their computer systems inside and out.
Here is just one of the excellent reviews Jared has received: "Jared…was right on time, and he was very knowledgeable…He found the problems we were having very quickly and fixed them. Very personable young man."
What you might not know about Jared is that he is very passionate about animals! He owns a beautiful gray cat named Beatrice and an adorable Welsh Corgi named Hollis. One of his favorite memories is when he spent a summer selling art to support a pig sanctuary in Utah
Job Titles:
- Director of Cabling Services
Thanks to the successful acquisition of A-1 Telecommunications, LLC, we can welcome former owner Ken Smoyer to the Clark Computer Services team. Ken and his business partner Bill started A-1 Telecommunications, LLC under a different name in 1997. Having successfully run his own business for 25 years, Ken is excited to work in a more structured environment offering a variety of services and a larger workforce.
Before owning A-1, Ken started his career as an IBM mainframe tech and slowly built his knowledge to include data communications networking, PBX phone systems, and telecommunications cabling. Having the opportunity to discover customer needs and working to exceed their expectations while providing superior customer service is Ken's favorite part of working in this industry.
Fun facts about Ken: Between him and his wife, Dawn, Ken has four adult children, one dog, and a couple of cats. In his free time, Ken enjoys driving around in his 1969 Chevelle Convertible and 1939 Ford pickup truck. As you might have guessed, restoring old vehicles is his pastime, though he also loves music and playing his acoustic guitar.
Alongside acquiring A-1 Telecommunications, CLARK was able to add Mr. Bill Biondo to the team. Bill, one of the previous owners of A-1 Telecommunications, has been in the telephone and telecom industry for 43 years. He chose to branch off and start his own business so he would be able to make his own goals.
A fun fact about Bill is that he likes to be outdoors in his free time. Also, after Bill retires in Spring 2022, he intends to move to Alaska to prospect for gold!
Job Titles:
- Desktop Support Technician
- Junior Desktop Support Technician
Coming on board as a Junior Desktop Support Technician, Nick is excited to start his tech career at CLARK. Currently enrolled at Frederick Community College, he is working towards a certificate in cybersecurity.
In his free time, Nick enjoys spending time with his friends, going to batting cages, and attending church. He also likes to spend time with his border collie, Dakota. A fun fact about Nick is that he won tournaments playing Call of Duty and is currently taking on all challengers who want to get familiar with respawn points.
Raquel Morales is our amazing office Manager. Those of you that have chatted on the phone with her have experienced her friendliness and kindness first hand-she truly epitomizes the customer-first attitude we strive for here at CLARK. Diligently handling all of the day-to-day tasks needed to make our office run is what allows our amazing team of technicians to run smoothly, and Raquel excels at her job.
Raquel's favorite part of working at CLARK is being a part of a small business. Believing that our team feels like a small family, she loves that we all take care of and help each other. In her free time, Raquel loves spending time with her wife and her 4 little dogs-three Pomeranians (Stinky, Bender, and Ducky) and 1 Yorkie (Nibbler). What you may not know about Raquel is that she is a BIG college football fan and follows the Miami Hurricanes.
With the acquisition of A-1 Telecommunications, CLARK is happy to welcome our third new team member, Shane Smoyer. One of our top Field Supervisors, Shane has been with A-1 Telecomm for 9 years prior to their acquisition by Clark Computer Services and joined the company to work with his father and previous owner, Ken Smoyer. Shane is excited to work for CLARK and can't wait to watch the company grow.
In his free time, Shane likes spending quality time with his wife and baby boy, relaxing at the beach, and four-wheeling. A fun fact about Shane is that he worked as a chef before joining the cabling industry, specializing as a griller and smoker, and still loves to cook at home!
While she does has an extensive range of skills, Shawn Lewis is our go-to in the office for hardware repairs and replacements. Continually bringing CLARK raving reviews, our customers tell us that she's great to work with, professional and friendly, quick to respond, and very transparent.
In her free time, Shawn enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, and their two cats and dog. They all enjoy game nights playing Uno! Shawn tries to impart her tech wisdom to her boys and likes to teach them about computer hardware. Outside of all that, she likes to bargain hunt, tinker, and go hiking when she has the time.
Steve has been in the IT field since 1996, where he started a job delivering computers for a managed service provider. He quickly worked his way up to running the service department of the MSP, where his clients list included the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles. Later, he began working as a network engineer until 2002, when he started his own business, In-Home-Tek. He successfully ran In-Home-Tek before deciding to sell the business to CLARK in 2016. After a brief retirement, Steve began working for CLARK full time in 2017.
In his free time, Steve is building an off-grid homestead in Dexter, Maine, where he hopes to raise goats, pigs, chickens, and rabbits. He also is working on growing a food forest on his property in Maine.
Job Titles:
- Client Relations Manager / Hagerstown Branch Manager
Sydney joined CLARK in 2021, although she has technically been a part of the team since the company started. She is the daughter of the owner, Darren, and has always pitched in where she could help. Sydney went to Hollins University to earn her B.A. in Applied Economics and Business Finance and after worked for a research firm in Richmond, VA.
In her free time, Sydney enjoys being involved in the community of Hagerstown. She is a board member of the local Kiwanis chapter and on the executive Committee for Washington County Chamber of Commerce's young professionals club, GenNext. When she's not volunteering, she enjoys running and spending time with her partner, Joe, her two cats (Hank and Naya), and her Husky mix (Mickey).
Job Titles:
- Desktop Support Technician
Always cheerful and willing to jump in to help, Tim started with CLARK last year at this time and has been a positive addition to the team. Our clients love Tim, giving him raving reviews like: "Tim listened carefully to my problems. Then he worked on my iPad a few minutes; used his phone to verify that he had solved my problems; and in less than a half-hour, it worked perfectly." In his free time, Tim enjoys running and spending time with his wife, Melissa, and his two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Ace and Queen. Among his favorite things to do outside of work is expressing his creative side through photography. A fun fact about Tim is that he played the drums competitively in his high school drumline. Show Less