The IT Director's Playbook

In this episode, we sit down with Chad Penson, IT Director at Neshoba County Schools MS, for one of the most honest and powerful conversations we’ve had on the show yet. Chad shares his unconventional journey into K-12 technology leadership—from becoming a father in high school and repairing computers after class, to leading one of Mississippi’s largest school campuses and rebuilding an entire dis...

In this special episode of The IT Director’s Playbook, we step away from our usual IT director interviews and sit down with Craig Reeves, founder and CEO of Ambit Solutions, along with Stephen Reeves, now President of Ambit Solutions, to tell the story behind the company that powers this podcast. Craig shares how Ambit got its start during one of the worst financial crises in modern history, how a...

In this episode of The IT Director’s Playbook , we sit down with the tech leadership team from Williamson County Schools, TN—Director Tim McNeese and Supervisors Nick Lunn and Ryan Florida—for a rich conversation on building culture, scaling operations, and leading with people-first IT. With 52 schools, 43,000 students, and a tech staff of 51, they unpack how trust, empathy, and servant leadership...

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Kingston, Chief Technology Officer for Alabaster City Schools, AL, to hear how a former pro basketball player turned break-fix tech built a 28-year career leading K-12 technology — from lone ranger to managing a full IT team in one of Alabama’s fastest-growing school districts. Anthony shares why every great tech team starts with people skills, how staying...

In this episode, we sit down with Todd Sanderson, Technology Director at Marshall County Schools, MS. Todd’s journey didn’t start in a server room—it started in the classroom and on the baseball field. From teaching middle school science to pulling cable and leading a district-wide security camera rollout, Todd shares how empathy, flexibility, and a willingness to learn have shaped his path. We ta...

In this premiere episode, we sit down with Patrick Robinson, Director of Technology at Jones County Schools, MS, to talk through nearly three decades of K-12 tech evolution—from hand-pulling coax and rebuilding servers in flip-flops after a fire, to launching 10G networks and navigating a pandemic. Patrick shares what it takes to build a rock-solid IT team, why relationships matter more than gear...