CIOs stand as the architects of innovation and transformation, shaping industries and leaving an indelible mark on the way we experience various facets of life. In this dynamic landscape, where most accomplished leaders are spearheading game-changing endeavors, individuals like Jonathan Fitzgerald emerge as transformative figures.
His endeavor, GDS Technology, is a tech evolution in the IT landscape, dedicated to meticulously serving business owners with the most reliable and professional IT services in Atlanta.
GDS Technology is 100% committed to making sure business owners have the most reliable and professional IT service in Atlanta. Led by a visionary and dynamic leader full of inspirational spirit, the GDS team of talented IT professionals is able to resolve your IT nightmares once and for all.
He holds excellent specialties in programming logic, server architecture, network security, data recovery, firewalls, communications system design, enterprise Microsoft applications, network attached storage, clustering, low-level electronics diagnostics, and repair.
Jonathan’s Victorious Journey – From the Beginning
The visionary leader commenced his professional career in the early 2000’s and worked for a few firms that built networks, servers, workstations, and communications hardware. Subsequently, he moved and worked for a data recovery group. In this position, he was creating infrastructure for the data recovery platform, including servers and customizations in BIOS, DOS, and Linux storage to create a virtual storage array for recovering data. From 2005 to 2015, he was actively working freelance in cyber security, telecom, life and safety, and consulting for IT vendors in the market.
2015 he was brought on as the CIO for GDS Telecom in order to expand GDS Telecom’s footprint from a two-person operation and be a consultant for them. The next year, he obtained his unrestricted low-voltage license from Georgia. Jonathan was instrumental in growing the workforce and keeping the business running during COVID. They also began offering the clients vCIO services. In 2023, they restructured to best service their customers and became GDS Technology, and at that time, he became the managing partner. In 2021 he stepped back into volunteering in the BSA Scouting program. Jonathan is an assistant scoutmaster, merit badge counselor, and Eagle Scout mentor, and he loves to teach and provide service back to the local community.
Jonathan works with Gwinnett County Schools, as well as some of the local colleges. In this role he is providing feedback and review on the curriculum to better match up with the ever-changing world of IT and Cyber Security.
A Glimpse of GDS Technology
GDS Tech is delicately offering top-notch IT solutions to its clientele. Its service portfolio includes:
- Co-Managed Services, Managed IT Services, Network Security, Helpdesk,
- vCIO, vCSO, vCISO, vCTO
- Cyber Security, Compliance, Consulting, Vendor Management
- Low Voltage, Access Control, Fiber Optics, Video Surveillance, Audio, Video, Phone System, VoIP
- Jonathan and his team strive to understand their client’s unique needs and challenges and work closely with them to deliver solutions that drive business success. They are committed to offering the greatest quality of service, professionalism, and innovation to our customers and to developing long-term partnerships based on trust and mutual growth.
Jonathan’s Distinctive Approach: Sustaining Adaptability and Resilience
These are the primary strategies that the magnificent man follows:
- Partnering with vendors and other like-minded groups
- Working in peer groups to expand our knowledge.
- Constantly learning as well as providing training
- Providing lab setup with mock situations to better equip our team.
- Attending cyber conferences to collaborate with other groups.
The Major Key Trends-At a Glance
There has been a big push for more ZeroTrust and VDI in the cloud. We are seeing a push for more converged technologies and systems onto the network, this causes potential for ever-growing security threats and mitigation. Further, the cyber security industry is becoming more complex, and more and more MSPs are merging as the market shifts and compliance becomes tighter.
Battling the Challenges Along the Way
Running a company is a roller coaster ride, full of ups and downs. And GDS Technology is not an exception here. Finding ways to show potential customers and clients how they can assist them in navigating the industry’s changes is one of the main issues Jonathan has to deal with.
Another significant issue for GDS has been growing its reputation in the market while navigating its ups and downs. The company strives to figure out how to continue establishing its name in the industry.
Building an Inclusive Culture
Recognizing the strength and value each team member brings to shape GDS’s solid presence in the marketplace, they have embraced a hybrid environment since the beginning of the company. The open culture where hierarchy only serves organizational structure encourages the staff to take breaks, develop their own unique ideas, and discuss their challenges.
The top managers ensure that there are sufficient resources available for them to experiment with various systems and promote cross-training among staff members.
Every two weeks, they offer training so that the employees can share what they have learned and are encouraged to teach their peers and create questions for further learning and development.
Corporate Ethos for Clients
Jonathan believes that service is their primary drive. They would like to assist a client in learning how something operates or in doing something more effectively.
They go the extra mile to help the customer, even if it’s not a system they have installed. The team performs research on the clients systems and needs and creates custom documentation to help facilitate the client working better with their technological needs.
Feathers in the Cap
- Many of the values and direction of the company are things Jonathan learned in the Boy Scout Program.
- He earned his Eagle Scout rank in 2001.
- He traveled to Japan during the summer of 2001 as part of the international scouting program offered to Eagle Scouts, teaching at Yamanaka Scout camp, and climbed Mt. Fuji.
- He was awarded the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow, in 2003.
- He is an Amateur Radio Operator – Technician Class – Earned 2018He volunteered at a local anime convention for 10 years, working in the technical department and rising to become the technical director for several years. This included running the operations of a 4-day event with over 20,000 attendees and making sure they had running audio and video with rapid deployments and changes.
What Lies Ahead for GDS Technology?
Expansion stands as a cornerstone in Jonathan’s journey at GDS Technology. His invaluable guidance and support from the dedicated team have played pivotal roles in shaping their tech venture. They are further looking to expand their services and team, their coverage areas, and their teaching options.