Computer & IT Faculty

Department Head & Instructor: Computer Core 1, 2, IT3

Tim King 

With over 30 years of experience in the computer and electronics industry, Tim King brings much specific strength to his involvement with computers and technology. His career began in the third party maintenance field providing computer support and repair services to government agencies including, NASA, DOD, OSTI, Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Boeing, and TVA. Later his knowledge of computer and networking systems was applied to the engineering trades. Mr. King spent much time integrating computer-aided design and computer aided manufacturing systems for customers such as, FMC, M&M Mars Candy, Mitsubishi, Yale Lock, and Heritage Log Homes. In 1989 Mr. King moved home to Gatlinburg, TN, and provided computer-based reservations systems and retail Point of Sale solutions to the hospitality industry. His involvement with hotel and motel automation led him to build Infofast in 1993 to provide direct mail marketing support for these same customers.

Department Head & Instructor: Network Security and Forensics

Patrick AllenFor over a decade, Patrick Allen has worked in high-tech positions around the world, building and troubleshooting computer networks, planning and building communications equipment and installing radio and high-speed data connections. For the military, he administered a switch network for several thousand customers within the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe compound, and he served as team leader for the army in Bavaria. He brings considerable experience to the classroom in computer installation, building, repairing, configuring and troubleshooting computers and networks.

Senior Instructor: Novell, Linux, Cisco

Robert HoltRobert Holt is the lead instructor for Novell, Linux, and Cisco Systems related training. He also instructs in the Computer Core 1 semester where he assists the lead instructor with A+, Network+, and Linux+. Mr. Holt sets the example for how a Fountainhead class should be conducted, as well as coordinate Instructor Development Training, assisting the Director of Education as needed. He was a Master Training Specialist for the United States Navy from 1978 to 1982 where he taught all aspects of Data Communications and Data Systems, and he was responsible for curriculum development and the test bank center. He has consistently maintained Novell Certification all the way back to Classic CNE 5 and attended the Novell Linux Advanced Technical Training workshop in Provo, UT in 2004.

Instructor & Manager of Distance Education

Jay Cabler Jay Cabler is the Manager of Distance Education where he focuses his time developing online training. Mr. Cabler has worked on many computer-based educational projects during his career, including teaching a myriad of technology applications, creating training applications for law enforcement personnel, developing educational CD-ROMs, and developing of e-commerce websites. He worked for many years at the University of Tennessee where he designed, developed, and maintained web-based trainings and websites as well as created course curriculum and training materials for law enforcement agencies including National Forensics Academy, Department of Homeland Security, and the Regional Community Policing Institute.

Mike Cannady Mike Cannady has had many diverse experiences in IT and education over the past twenty years.

He has taught Social Studies in grades 6-12, as well as technical and GED instruction at the post-secondary level. His former employers include the University of Tennessee, Tennessee Adult Education System, ORNL, New Horizons, UPS, and several school systems including Knox and Washington County Schools. Along the way he attained a BA in History and a MS in Secondary Education, as well as numerous certifications from Microsoft, Adobe, CompTIA and IC3. Mr. Cannady’s other experiences include hotel/restaurant, stage crew, wilderness lodge manager, desktop and user support, database management, web and graphic design, and he has been a skiing and snowboard instructor at Ober Gatlinburg for the past 8 years. When not poking around on or in a computer, he enjoys hiking, bicycling, kayaking, historical recreation and has been known to play a video game or two with his son.

Danny Long is a self-starter who understands the importance of discipline, perseverance, time-management, and dedication to the pursuit of being successful. He was the owner of a network security consulting company providing training and network guidance to regional technology and financial companies. He set up server banks and SQL databases, performed maintenance of switches and routers and implemented data restoration and backups.

He was the President and founding member of the East Tennessee chapter of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) from 2003-2005. 

Instructor: Information Technology, Computer Core 1

Ryan Rodio

With almost a decade of experience in the computer industry, Ryan Rodio brings the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the IT industry to the classroom. He started his career doing web development and graphic design before moving into information technology and helping to establish a startup technology company in the Knoxville area. As the company grew Ryan took over the Chattanooga franchise and concentrated efforts to grow this business. He has also worked as a systems administrator at a Knoxville Pediatrics office.

Mr. Rodio is a lifelong learner and is continuously improving his own education so that he can keep his students up-to-date with the latest technologies.

Department Head & Instructor: Computer Programming

Christopher NicholsonChris Nicholson worked at ClientLogic in Oak Ridge as a Technical Support Representative where he managed client database records using the Oracle DBMS and diagnosed and remedied problems in computer networking.