My career started with a high school Radio & TV Production class in the early ‘80s. From there, I went on as a First-Generation college student to study drafting and computer aided design at Arizona Tech and electronics at Mesa Community College before changing my major to broadcast production. I attended Northern Arizona University with classes in Computer Animation, Film Production, Audio Production, Video Production, and Broadcast Journalism. I earned a diploma in Drafting and Computer Aided Design, Membership in Alpha Epsilon Rho, a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcasting, an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator’s license, Society of Broadcast Engineers Certified Broadcast Technologist & Certified Broadcast Networking Technologist certifications and my first Amateur Radio License.

I’ve worked in the broadcast and video production industry since 1986 at places like KTSP-TV the CBS affiliate in Phoenix, NBC 4 in Columbus, WCOL/WNCI, Sunny95, 97.1 The Fan, and The Columbus Blue Jackets Radio Network doing production and engineering. I became involved in computers as a result of the increased use of automation systems and business networks in the broadcast industry.

By 1996, I had my first Novell certification and the consolidation in the radio industry had reduced the number of engineering jobs in the central Ohio market. When Clear Channel Communications bought Nationwide Communications Incorporated, my position was eliminated so I changed my career path to Information Technology.  I worked at DeVry University for 6 years holding several IT positions including Director of Multimedia Projects and serving as the faculty advisor for the Digital Media Club “DeVry TV”.

Since then, I've had over 25 years of experience as a Network Administrator and IT Manager on Novell NetWare and Microsoft Active Directory based systems.  I've managed $100K multi-vendor infrastructure projects and completed a consulting client’s workstation roll-out that had been 2 years behind schedule. I completed my Master’s in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School in 2008 and have held over 20 licenses and certifications including Certified Novell Engineer, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Cisco Certified Network Associate, a Project Management Institute Project Management Professional certification, and training in virtualization on VMware.

In 2011, I accepted a position with Tri-Valley Local School District as a Network Administrator. While there, I used my broadcast background to rebuild and upgrade their audio and video facilities. I also helped them start a media production class to give students the same opportunity to explore the field of broadcasting that I've had.

In 2014, I completed the process to get my Alternative Resident Educator’s License and started working on my Graduate Certificate in Educational Technology with a K-12 emphasis to meet the requirements to advance my teaching license. 

I accepted positions with Central Ohio Technical College as Adjunct Faculty in the Computer Technology program and Newark City Schools teaching Digital Media and Computer Science under Ohio’s College Credit Plus program.

In 2019, I completed my Master of Education in Educational Technology with an adult learning and training emphasis. I also upgraded my Amateur Radio license to Amateur Extra class and renewed my Project Management Institute PMP and SBE Certified Broadcast Technologist certifications for their 19th and 20th years.  

Just before the pandemic and mass layoffs, I was accepted to the PhD program in Mass Communications at Ohio University for the Fall of 2020. 

During the mandated social isolation, I took online classes and obtained my FAA remote pilot certification for operating a small UAS under part 107.  This allows me to legally operate a drone for non-recreational purposes.

I see the PhD as a convergence of my career, education, and knowledge up to this point.  I feel that I have a unique perspective having witnessed first-hand the history and evolution of many of today’s communication technologies.  I want to use that perspective along with my background in computer technology, broadcast engineering, and educational technology to research emerging technologies, looking at how they might impact the business of radio, TV, movies, the internet, and online education.  I want to use this research to teach students the skills they will need to succeed in media and make sound strategic decisions as their careers progress.

Meanwhile, as area employers resume their hiring processes, I am hoping to find a full-time position that will make use of my Master of Education in Educational Technology and 11 years of experience in technology and teaching in secondary and higher education while I continue to pursue my PhD on a part-time basis. 

In the meantime, I am available for initial interviews via video conferencing.

My Educator Profile is posted on the Vitae website: https://chroniclevitae.com/people/54513-gregory-ardrey/profile