Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us about Logik Technology Consulting and the responsibilities of your position.
Brian Wanbaugh: I had Logik as a side company. I had about six or seven contractors working for the state on the same projects, and we were working on for three different agencies on about 15 different systems. We were doing training programs, building out resource directories and overhauling case-management systems. About a year ago a couple agencies merged and they finally could take on some of the stuff we were doing, so we have been transitioning work off onto them. We are changing from being a small IT company to a solutions provider. We do everything from start to finish: project management, planning, design, marketing, SEO, strategic planning. We have been re-inventing ourselves over the past year and that’s been my biggest role, defining who we are now.
NNBW: How did you get into this profession?
Wanbaugh: I was about 15 and started working on computers. I had an IT/tech business that my dad helped set up. Since about 15-and-a-half I have been doing this as a business.
NNBW: What’s the most challenging aspect of running a small IT firm?
Wanbaugh: Trying to own everything. I had a hard time letting go. But we have a great team and it’s a matter of me letting go and letting my guys do what they do well.
NNBW: What was your first job?
Wanbaugh: Working at the Dayton Market stocking shelves and mopping floors. It was a good job.
NNBW: If you could do anything besides what you do now, what would be your dream job?
Wanbaugh: This is my hobby also. I love IT, so when I am not working I am at home playing around with new technologies or writing code. But I like writing a lot, and if I wasn’t doing this maybe I would expand out along those lines.
NNBW: What are your favorite hobbies or pastimes? How do you spend your time away from work?
Wanbaugh: Spend time with my girls, fishing, hiking, off-roading. I live in Nevada for a reason. We have so much to do right here.
NNBW: What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
Wanbaugh: I wanted to be an archeologist. I was really into dinosaurs and science. I started my career in architecture and drafting and went to graphic design. But I really found my niche with IT.
NNBW: If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? Why or why not?
Wanbaugh: I would retire, but I know that I would very quickly get involved with something else. I have to stay busy. Retirement would be nice so that if I wanted to I could take three weeks off with my girls and go on a long trip.
NNBW: What’s the last concert or sporting event you attended?
Wanbaugh: Steel Panther down at the Knit.
NNBW: What’s your idea of the perfect vacation?
Wanbaugh: I don’t take a lot of vacations. This Christmas will be the first vacation I’ll be taking with my girls; we are going to Disneyland. In IT, you are always on call. I always have a laptop, and clients know they can always get a hold of me and I can always log in and fix something. Whether it was on my honeymoon in Hawaii, I can’t think of a vacation where I didn’t get a call, check emails or do something else. So a time where I was removed from all that would be an ideal vacaction.
NNBW: Why did you choose a career in northern Nevada? What do you like most about working/living here?
Wanbaugh: I grew up here. I like the area, my family is here. I’ve had a lot of job opportunities in places like Chicago or New York, and I love those places, but if I were to move away I would find myself coming back here. This is home. It’s not a fit for everyone, but it is a fit for me and my family.
To suggest a candidate for NNBW’s weekly question and answer column, look at our editorial calendar (http://apps.nnbw.com/utils/pdfs/9683736R.pdf) and contact reporter Rob Sabo at rsabo@nnbw.biz or call 775-850-2146.
