New years often bring new faces and during this spring semester Park’s Information Technology department made a new addition to the team in Edward Austin, who is a new help desk coordinator.

In order to make your way to Austin’s office you first have to find the IT department. Located deep in the underground past the library, but before the Smart market, are doors. Next to these doors, marked in black lettering, is reads IT Department. Stepping through the doors, the first room on the right contains Austin and his seemingly revolving work study students.

Austin, who is a rather tall man with three holes for earrings in his left ear and he has fashioned his greying facial hair into a goatee, is a native of Kansas City.

Austin earned his associates degree in applied science in 1990 and began his IT career in tech support in Kansas City. He transitioned from small businesses to fortune 500 companies working in Des Moines, Iowa; and Ann Arbor, and Detroit, Mich. He said his two favorite cities are Kansas City and Des Moines.

After spending seven years in tech support for various companies, Austin found his way to KCNET, a company owned and operated by Park’s own James Nelson, assistant director of software development.

During his 10 years with KCNET, Austin had contributed to the workplace with his experience, dealing with various types of issues that would arise.

“Ed is a really good guy,” said Nelson, “(He is) great with customers on the phone and perfect for help with technical skills. He is definitely a big asset.”

Life though isn’t only about work and Austin said first and foremost he is a father of a son and a daughter. He is also a self-proclaimed “geek” and loves investigating the inner parts of computers, equipment and software. He previously used to create mods for video games but has found he is far too busy now.

What he does have time for is the building of a solar-powered grid in his backyard to accommodate his desire to move off the grid. Austin said having hobbies, working and being a father are time consuming.

“(I don’t get) much sleep but I like to get up early,” he said.

Austin said he hopes to continue his education. Fascinated by forensic and computer tech, Austin’s goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and information technology within the next 10 years.