The IT Director's Playbook

Chad Penson: From Teen Dad to Tech Director — Leadership, Cyberattacks & 28 Years in K-12 IT

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 district network after a devastating cyberattack. We talk about building strong relationships with superintendents, creating an in-house IT culture, surviving ransomware attacks, learning through failure, and why humility matters more than pretending to know everything. Chad also opens up about the emotional toll of cybersecurity incidents, the importance of Mississippi’s K-12 tech community through METLA and MECA, and the leadership lessons he’s learned over nearly three decades in education technology. Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership. Powered by Ambit Solutions

Craig Reeves & Stephen Reeves: Special Episode — The Story Behind Ambit Solutions

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 simple open-source phone system turned into a new business, and how one early school district helped launch a 20-year journey serving K-12 schools across Alabama and the Southeast. Stephen shares what it means to step into leadership, carry the vision forward, and continue building on a foundation of trust, service, and long-term partnership. Together, they talk about why Ambit never forced customers into contracts, why relationships matter more than products, how IT directors shaped Ambit’s roadmap, and why the future of telecom in schools is increasingly tied to life safety, NG911, E911 compliance, intercom integration, and emergency response. This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the philosophy, people, and customer-first mindset that built Ambit Solutions. Powered by Ambit Solutions.

Tim McNeese & Team: Leading One of Tennessee’s Largest School IT Departments with Heart and Humility

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 have shaped a low-turnover, high-impact department. We talk cybersecurity, network design, AI and cell phone policies, and why they care more about emotional intelligence than certifications when hiring. If you’re an IT Director trying to scale, serve, or simply stay sane—this one’s for you. Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership. Powered by Ambit Solutions

Anthony Kingston: From Break-Fix to Big Picture — 28 Years of People-First IT 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 calm in a crisis builds trust, and what vendors often get wrong when working with schools. From stadium fiber installs to emergency alert systems, he unpacks what it means to lead with humility, build for the future, and invest in the next generation. Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership.Powered by Ambit Solutions

Todd Sanderson: From Chalkboards to Cybersecurity — A Coach’s Journey to K-12 IT Leadership

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 talk about the chaos of August, what it’s like running IT with a tiny team, why standardized systems save your sanity, and the steep price districts pay (literally and mentally) to fight cyber threats. You’ll hear about big wins, painful mistakes (including one intercom project Todd still regrets), and why personality sometimes beats experience when hiring for tech teams. Real stories. Real lessons. Real IT leadership. Powered by Ambit Solutions