Joe Schram, Partner

Educated as a graphic designer, skilled as a print production guru, certified as an IT technician and administrator, and experienced as a team manager, Joe has worked in a variety of creative and IT roles. With his natural problem-solving ability at the core of a skill-set from both the technology and design fields, Joe not only has a hands-on approach when implementing IT solutions, he is also a visually proficient communicator who capably distills complex concepts down to their essential components.

As an engineering consultant, Joe has designed and deployed integrated hardware and software solutions for graphic designers, publishers, printers, ad agencies, video editors, photographers, architects, educators, mobile professionals, and a host of other businesses and creative specialties. Joe has also engineered cutting-edge workstation deployment methodologies, font, image, and other asset management solutions, publishing and distribution automation systems, job ticketing and tracking workflows, managed custom software development projects, and deployed server solutions accompanying a wide range of network services.

As a business consultant, Joe has written and led end-user training programs, created procedures and documentation for efficient systems administration, developed detailed workflows for pre-press output, managed projects requiring close direction of vendors & contractors, advised on marketing, web and advertising campaigns, directed and produced video-based instructional courseware, and he has presented budget and strategy proposals which were both engaging and successful.

After 14 years of helping businesses and individuals in the content industry tackle their technology and strategy hurdles, Joe deeply understands the essential day-to-day challenges facing today’s creative professionals.

A native North Carolinian, Joe moved back to the state after seven years in northeast Illinois’ large creative market, the last three of which were spent as the Director of IT at FireStar Communications, a high-volume boutique ad agency in downtown Chicago. After moving to Raleigh, Joe continued work for his clients as a sole proprietor before accepting a position in 2007 as a Creative Services Engineer for Raleigh’s longtime Apple Specialist, TenPlus Systems.

Joe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design from Columbia College Chicago, and he holds the Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) certification for Mac OS X 10.3 and the Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) certification for Mac OS X 10.5, both available from Apple Inc. Joe is also a certified technician (RHCT – RHEL4) with leading Linux provider Red Hat Systems, and he is a proud member of AIGA, the professional association for design, where he serves as a current board member of the Raleigh chapter.

Jim Hollis, Partner

Jim has worked as an IT professional for almost two decades, working up the corporate organizational ladder to become the Manager of IT Support Services at one of the world’s leading research institutes, RTI International. Based in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, RTI International provides research and technical expertise to governments and businesses in more than 40 countries.

Jim started at RTI in 1991 as a desktop and network technician where after just 4 short years he became a management team member. Working as an integrated project manager and team player, over his next decade of managerial roles at RTI, Jim successfully built efficient and effective teams of technicians, directed the execution of large-scale IT projects and infrastructure construction, and helped RTI centralize their infrastructure to realize that best-practice IT is a key component for achieving market growth. After fifteen years at RTI, Jim’s managerial hallmark was re-shaping the workplace culture around IT support services, directing his staff to focus on exceptional customer service for RTI’s internal teams and divisions.

In 2006, Jim decided to bring his experience with corporate IT solutions to small business owners looking to streamline costs and improve their IT operations. He accepted a position as Manager of Desktop Services at Raleigh’s longtime Apple Specialist, TenPlus Systems. For three years, Jim lead and mentored the Desktop Services Group staff, directed desktop support operations for more than 30 client accounts, served as primary external contact for customers and major vendors, and performed onsite assessments which required the engineering of IT solutions for his clients.

Jim received a Certification for Excellence in Supervision from the American Management Association, is actively pursuing the prestigious Project Management Professional certification, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from NC State. Jim was recently recognized with an award for ten years of service as a volunteer coach for the North Carolina Special Olympics Sport Development Team.

Jay Nierodzik, Consultant | Developer

Jay’s interest and experience with information technology started early in life; his path was set in high school when he emerged as an award-winning programmer. Jay moved on to study CIS in college, and over the last 14 years he has worked as a programmer for United Airlines, as a Systems Administrator for several Chicago schools and universities, as Director of IT at a Chicago ad agency, and as a consultant to businesses large and small.

Jay is a friendly, dedicated investigator when it comes to problem-solving, able to assist clients while remaining committed to the in-depth experimentation and research required to solve any issue. Bringing years of experience with multiple OS platforms, a passion for scripting and programming, and an impeccable technology foundation to the table, Jay is a trusted advisor to Sparktivity.

Jay is certified not only as an Apple Certified System Administrator℠ (ACSA), a CompTia Network+ Certified Professional, and a Sair Linux/GNU Certified Administrator, he is also a guru at desktop scripting on several OS platforms.