INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT

ABOUT JIM: 

James W. (Jim) Grimes started his career in IT with the U.S. Army as a Computer/Mainframe Operator in 1986. In successive years, Jim held a number of varied positions in IT. They include working in call centers, both as a call agent and supervisor, network administration, critical incident coordination, supporting mainframes & supercomputers, and providing deskside support for PCs.

    Jim Grimes

    Network Administration & Security

    Education: Attended the University of Alaska and Northeast Mississippi Junior College

    Certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Secure Infrastructure Specialist, IT Operations Specialist, ITIL Foundation, ITIL Intermediate CAP-OSA, ITIL Intermediate Certificate LC-CSI, & Six Sigma White Belt

    Courses Taught at LeaderQuest: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, & ITIL Foundation

    Career/Skill Focus: Network Administration & Security

    Fun Facts:

    • Former hot air balloon pilot
    • His first computer was a Commodore 64. Google it.
    STUDY WITH JIM
    About Jacob: Originally from a small town in Oklahoma, Jacob moved to Denver when he got married and then attended LeaderQuest himself back in 2012. He’s been in the IT field since then.

      Jacob L. Miller

      Network Administration & Security

      Education: B.S. Information Technology – Security

      Certifications: ITIL Foundation, CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Project+,  Linux+, CCNA, & IINS

      Courses Taught at LeaderQuest: CompTIA A+, Network+, & Security+

      Career/Skill Focus: Network/Security

      Fun Fact: Jacob enjoys getting his Jeep stuck in the mountains.

      STUDY WITH JACOB
      ABOUT KEN: Kenneth Tanner is an IT professional with 20+ years of extensive hands-on experience in networking, telecommunications, systems administration, and the security thereof. Kenneth has provided training on systems he deployed to audiences including both non-technical end users to highly technical support personnel. He has worked for Hughes Training, a division of Hughes Electronics Ltd, the University of Alabama System, LSU Health Sciences Center, and various private companies as a consultant.

        Kenneth Tanner

        IT Networking & Cyber Security 

        Education: BSEE & MSEE from The University of Alabama at Birmingham

        Industry Experience: 20+ years of IT networking & cyber security 

        Certifications: CISSP, CEH, ITIL Foundation, CompTIA CSAE, CSAP, CSA+, Security+, Network+, Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching, CCNA Voice, and CCDA, & Rapid 7 Metasploit Pro Certified Specialist Nexpose Certified Administrator

        Courses Taught at LeaderQuest: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), ITIL Foundation, CompTIA CASP, Security+, Cisco ICND1, & ICND2

        Career/Skill Focus: IT Networking and Cyber Security

        Fun Fact: Kenneth was once a certified SSI Dive Control Specialist (Divemaster) and assisted in the instruction of scuba diving classes. He has also assisted in leading scuba diving trips to locales like Cozumel and Cayman.

        STUDY WITH KEN
        ABOUT PATRICK: Retired Master Chief, U.S. Navy

          Patrick Allen

          Network Administration & Security

          Education: BSEE & MSEE from The University of Alabama at Birmingham

          Industry Experience: 20+ years in IT implementation project management and over nine years in IT field service

          Certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, & Security+

          Courses Taught at LeaderQuest: CompTIA A+, Network+, & Security+

          Career/Skill Focus: IT Support Technician

          Fun Fact: Patrick Allen is addicted to fly fishing.

          STUDY WITH PATRICK
          ABOUT GARY:  Born in Billings, MT, Gary attended the Oklahoma City University, the University of Central Oklahoma, The University of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma City Community College. His proudest accomplishments come from helping students connect with job placement contacts. He’s worked with companies like Dell, Purina, and many others to facilitate great jobs.

            Gary Bell

            IT Infrastructure & Cyber Security 

            Education: BS in Marketing and a MEd (Masters Adult Education)

            Industry Experience: 25 IT experience with work in sales, CNE (Certified Novell Engineer) networking, MSCA, and certified C-Tech copper and fiber optic instructor. Eleven years teaching and training students in CompTIA, Microsoft, cabling, job skills, & soft skills

            Certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, Microsoft MCSA (4 subjects), CNE, C-Tech copper/fiber cabling courses taught at LQ

            Courses Taught at LeaderQuest: CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+

            Career/Skill Focus: Part-Time at LeaderQuest

            Fun Fact: He was a member of SkillsUSA and took IT students to local, state, and national (Kansas City) competitions. He also served as the past president of the Trade & Industrial Education Association of Oklahoma.

            STUDY WITH GARY
            ABOUT JOHN: In his 40+ years of experience, John has worked in almost every aspect of IT including operations, programming, database management, desktop support, server support, and more. He started with rack-mounted minicomputers while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and moved on to mainframes in college. For the last 10 years, he has applied this extensive experience to his true passion of teaching Microsoft and CompTIA subjects.

              John Brown

              Network Security 

              Education: BS in Computer and Information Sciences, College of Engineering

              Industry Experience: 40 years

              Certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Project+, Server+, ITIL Foundation, MCSA, Windows 7, and MCSA Server 2003, & MCSA Server 2008

              Courses Taught at LeaderQuest: ITIL Foundation, CompTIA A+, Network+, & Security+

              Career/Skill Focus: Teaching, network security, Microsoft Windows, smartphones, & tablets

              Fun Fact: John was (and plans to be) in attendance for the opening day of every Star Wars movie (including the original released in 1977).

              STUDY WITH JOHN
              ABOUT JAMES: James spent 22 years serving our country in the USAF. Two things stand out from his time in the service starting in Basic Training and proceeding through his active duty career. He’s repeatedly been handpicked to train others and has immersed himself in technology to the point of being considered the go-to person for nearly all things IT. Combining those two areas in one job is one of his several dreams come true.

                James Gross

                Instructor Lead, Cyber, Networking, & Infrastructure

                Education: Pursuing a BS in Information Technology

                Industry Experience: 21 years (16 years as part of professional duties and five years full-time)

                Certifications: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Server+, CLinux+, CySA+, Cloud+, ITIL Foundation, ITIL Intermediate CSI, ITIL Intermediate OSA, CIW Web Foundations Associate, CIW Web Design Specialist, MTA Windows Operating System Fundamentals, LPIC-1, Novell CLA, MCSA: Windows 7, & SUSE 11 Technical Specialist

                Courses Taught at LeaderQuest: CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, & ITIL Foundation

                Career/Skill Focus: James’ passion is helping people connect with technology in meaningful ways. That passion drives him to learn technology deeply and well so that he can present that information to others.

                STUDY WITH JAMES
                ABOUT MARCIA: Marcia has more than 16 years of training and development experience in both corporate and educational environments. Her consulting background in the Fortune 500 includes technical engineering and IT experience, progressive management skills in multiple industries, and international training facilitation.

                  Marcia L. Ingino

                  Project Management 

                  Certifications: PMP, PMI-ACP, and PMI-PBA IIBA-CBAP

                  Career/Skill Focus: Project Management (PM), Business Analysis (BA), and Agile Instructor

                  Courses Taught at LeaderQuest: Senior Technology Project Manager & CAPM & PMP IT Project Manager Prep

                  Fun Fact: Marcia is a dynamic, passionate, and dedicated instructor who enjoys contributing to the professional development and success of those who attend her courses.

                  STUDY WITH MARCIA