For more than 65 years Kidwell has been providing the newest solutions to communications problems and challenges. Originally starting out as an electrical contracting company, Kidwell has expanded over the years to offer cutting-edge proficiency in developing IT services, specialty systems, telephony solutions, healthcare communications, data cabling, and electrical services. Katie Koester is the IT Operations Manager at Kidwell.
Tell us a little about your business. – My area of the business at Kidwell focuses primarily on our technology division. We offer a wide range of services in server and networking infrastructure deployment, as well as managed service offerings. We have evolved into an end-to-end technology company that delivers high quality solutions that follow best practices and are also best of breed.
How did you get started in the business? – In high school I took Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) classes which sparked an interest in computers. I decided to pursue it into college and interned on a helpdesk for several summers. I found a passion for helping people understand technology and how they could use it to solve their problems. Technology changes daily and helping my customers understand how best to use it is very rewarding for me.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – From the beginning of my time in IT, I struggled with being taken seriously. When I walked into my first CCNA class as a junior in high school, one of the other students asked me if I was in the right place as I was the only woman in the class. This comment made me want to be there all the more. As I have continued to pursue my career in IT I have quickly learned that this is a heavily male dominated field, but if you are willing to put in the work you will be rewarded greatly.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – As I moved into an operations management role at Kidwell, I was fortunate enough to work with a team of managers who saw the value in process improvement and fundamental change. They allowed me to take a holistic look at how we operated on a day-to-day level and start making strategic plans for change, and together we implemented a new professional services automation software for our IT and Phone departments. Through the implementation and continued refinement of this software we’ve been able to see great improvements in our service delivery, customer satisfaction, and financial health. As a manager, I felt incredibly proud of the progress we made and look forward to the continued success of the company.
Tell me a little about your family. – I am married to Clint Koester and we have a 2 year old son, Weston, with another one on the way. We live in Lincoln and have a dog named Roscoe. We both grew up on a farm and we love to go back home as much as we can.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I enjoy reading the paper in the morning with a good cup of coffee and planning something fun with my family like going to the Zoo or taking a bike ride.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Honest Abe’s Burgers + Freedom.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Marissa Mayer, Yahoo CEO.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Via email at kkoester@kidwell.us.com or visit our website at www.kidwell.us.com.