Title: PC Systems Support Specialist Lead
Family: Wife of 24 years Inga; daughter Julia, senior University student majoring in biology; son Alexei, a sixth grade second-degree black belt.
How long have you worked at Georgia State? A year and a half
What do you do on a typical day? During the course of the day I work with the faculty and staff of the college of Arts and Sciences, covering a number of departments. I am responsible for all IT support and thus all computer related problems that arise throughout the day.
What's your background? I was born in Latvia (then still part of the former Soviet Union). I received a military upbringing, graduating with an engineering degree from a military academy in Russian Georgia. After several years I retired from the Soviet Army as a Captain, moving on to run a publishing company. In 1992, as the entire Soviet system began to falter, I chose to move with my family to the United States. After arriving to New York, Long Island, I procured a job as a mechanical engineer with a company that manufactured electronic circuit boards. Through it I received the opportunity to become involved in the field of information technology.
What do you do when you're not working? I find focusing on my family and hobbies to be a pleasant way to spend my free time. I enjoy both playing and watching hockey. Photography is a hobby of mine that relaxes and helps me regain focus on other aspects of my life. I have a deep fondness for animals; I adore my German Shepard, Una. Nearing a year old now, she was born in Germany and her pedigree can be traced back to the 1800s. Even as a child I held a strong passion for marine life, and now I devote a great deal of time to my 200 gallon saltwater fish tank.
What's your favorite thing in your office? My colleagues always bring me back souvenirs from their vacation trips. My current favorite thing happens to be a hand-carved statue from Vietnam. It makes me feel appreciated that they thought of me.
What don't people know about you? I am a photographer in my spare time. I enjoy working with people and animals the most, as I find them to be challenging to photograph well.
If you weren't working at Georgia State, what would your ideal job be? My dream job has always been to be a hockey team coach.