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I Spy: Jason Leary, the 'go-to guy'

by Bracey

Jason Leary has a lot of words in his job title – an Information Resource Consultant (IRC) with Information Technology Services for Kimbel Library at Coastal Carolina University. But if you ask anyone who works with Leary in Kimbel Library, they would probably describe him as “the nicest guy.” They may also add something like, “The go-to-guy for computer problems.”

Last fall, when Leary was preparing the computers for the upcoming semester, there was a problem with the installation of the software. He was tasked with reprocessing more than 200 computers at the last minute, performing incredible feats of computer wizardry to get the technology up and running in time.

“Jason made the changes without complaint,” says Tracy Gaskin, training coordinator at CeTEAL at Kimbel Library. “He wanted everything to be right for the students when they returned for classes.”

Leary’s regular day on the job (when he’s not saving whole computer systems) consists of maybe taking a computer apart or getting quotes on new computer upgrades or changing out a motherboard or two. Currently, he’s the only IRC with a certification to work on Apple products that are covered under warranty, so he’s always busy with repairs.

“Jason is so responsive to problems. Sometimes, you can put in a job or repair request, and he’s knocking on the door as soon as you hit submit,” says Gaskin. “It’s rare to find someone who loves their job as much as he does.”

When Leary is off work, he plays bass guitar in his church’s band. He has played bass for the last 17 years, and at least three nights a week he is jamming at The Christian Church in Myrtle Beach.

When Leary is not laying down bass-lines, he is usually hanging out with his wife of three years, Niki. She is a multimedia resource specialist at Horry Georgetown Technical College, and Leary says Niki is also very tech savvy. “We are usually working on computer stuff together,” he says. “She’s almost as into it as I am.”

For the last three years, Leary has shown CCU how “into it” he is, having worked on computers in every building on campus. “I don’t mind lending support to everyone I can,” he says. “I’ll go wherever I’m needed.”

“Jason is awesome. Yes, he’s super-nice, but it’s more than that,” says Gaskin. “He can just overhear you say you’re having trouble with something, and he fixes it or solves the problem without being asked. And he always does it with a smile.”

Leary says his motto is simple. “Treat everyone like the most important person in the organization,” he says. “If I remember to do that, then everyone gets a consistent level of great customer service.”

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