Patchy-D
Known as J-Mac to my friends and students but my real name is John McNamara. I currently teach at Stark State College in the Computer Science department.
I have always loved playing video games. It was my love of video games that pulled me into computers and networking to begin with. I used to play computer games with friends, several of which had careers in IT. Back then, playing together over the internet required modems and sometimes complicated strings to make the connections. I had a knack for solving many of the connection issues. After being told countless times by those computer gaming friends that I should change careers, (Back then I was working as a training store manager for Wendy’s) I gave it a shot and applied to work at a helpdesk. It seems like my transition into the computer networking field was a million years ago!
During my career I have earned many industry certifications: From Microsoft I was an MCSA and MCSE on several versions of their server. From Cisco I was a CCNA, CCNA:Voice, CCNA:Wireless and CCNP. From ECCouncel I was a LTP, ECSA and CEH and I had the main certs from CompTIA. I attended Kent State University and earned my Associates Degree. I went to Malone College for my BA, and finally Franklin University in Columbus where I got my MBA. I currently teach computer networking classes (mainly Cisco) and game design classes. I really enjoy hearing back from students after they graduate about how they are doing, and about their new careers.
