IT Specialist of the Year

IT Specialists of the Year

“They are vital to our ability to keep the doors open, and because they work behind the scenes, I think perhaps they are sometimes not appreciated as much as they might be (or at least they are not always shown the appreciation they deserve).” - John Emanuel, Partner, Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek

William Lundie, Gerry Heidenreich, Mike Kelley, Anna Boll, Bill Duchaine, Kay Dailey, Korrine Naydihor, Evelyn Amundson

An IT department is like an offensive line: If nobody’s mentioning their name, they must be doing a good job.

The IT team at Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek fits that description perfectly, partner John Emanuel said in nominating the entire team.

The IT team — William Lundie, Gerry Heidenreich, Mike Kelley, Anna Boll, Bill Duchaine, Kay Dailey and Evelyn Amundson — is responsible for keeping the systems up and running for more than 250 attorneys and staff. (An eighth honoree, Korrine Naydihor, has left the firm)

“In order for the business to function, it’s just assumed that all of those systems work, and 99.5 percent of the time they do,” Emanuel said in an interview. “What I think distinguishes our folks is when you need something, they’re there and they fix it for you.”

And that attitude extends to even outside of work hours — or locations, Emanuel said. He mentioned an example of a time when he was on vacation — on a weekend — in South Carolina and was having problems installing software. After several fruitless efforts, including a trip to an office supply store, he called the IT department at the firm. After quickly figuring out the problem, they had a drive he needed shipped to him by the next morning.

That willingness to go above and beyond made nominating the team a no-brainer, Emanuel said in the nomination.

“These folks really get it done, and the mere fact that they put up with all the high-maintenance lawyers around here who bother them day and night is worthy of recognition — to say nothing of the fact that they do it with a great attitude at the same time.”

IT Specialist Honorees

Thomas Dressel
Director of Information Technology, Godfrey & Kahn SC

“In the fast-paced world of technology, Tom sprints to understand new software and devices. He hurdles the areas of costs, cost-savings, processes and environmental issues. Tom times the ‘sell’ or ‘rejection’ of new technology to management. Tom also manages a team of IT specialists. He encourages them to be frontrunners in their areas and coaches them to ensure the ‘baton’ of communications is passed cleanly. Should ‘the race’ be interrupted, he is also the Project Manager of our Disaster Recovery Team. Tom keeps G&K in the winner’s circle of cutting edge technology for our attorneys and clients.”

Vickie Bence,
Administrative Assistant,
Godfrey & Kahn, SC

Ronald J. Kroes
Manager of Imaging, Midwest Paralegal Services Inc.

“Ron was instrumental in establishing the imaging department of Midwest in 2000. Since that time he has provided Midwest’s clients with superior service and consultation on how to efficiently handle project challenges. He manages the staff, stays current on new software and hardware improvements, and brings a clever, upbeat attitude to his everyday responsibilities.”

Shawn Rae Olley, Owner,
Midwest Paralegal Services, Inc.