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16 years of double digit growth: Real-world lessons for managed tech providers

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[THE COLUMBUS TELEGRAM] Habitat for Humanity announces blitz build for new home

Cookies: The tasty treat that makes your browsing more personalized?

All about managed backups

[ALBION NEWS] Applied Connective Technologies acquires Megavision

[THE COLUMBUS TELEGRAM] Applied Connective Acquires Megavision

[THE COLUMBUS TELEGRAM] Scam and safety: IT experts weigh in on staying vigilant of scams

[ALBION NEWS] Applied Connective Technologies acquires Megavision

•
January 12, 2022

https://albionnewsonline.com/2022/01/11/applied-connective-technologies-acquires-megavision/

[THE COLUMBUS TELEGRAM] Applied Connective Acquires Megavision

•
January 8, 2022

TELEGRAM STAFF Applied Connective Technologies, a managed technology services provider based in Albion, Columbus and Norfolk, announced today that it has officially …

[THE COLUMBUS TELEGRAM] Scam and safety: IT experts weigh in on staying vigilant of scams

•
December 29, 2021

https://columbustelegram.com/news/local/scam-and-safety-it-experts-weigh-in-on-staying-vigilant-of-scams/article_50024319-fbe6-5aba-b714-c0f88eecb329.html

[THE COLUMBUS TELEGRAM] Applied Connectives receives award

•
December 15, 2021

https://columbustelegram.com/news/local/applied-connectives-receives-award/article_718b706f-45db-5938-9b81-9f481ae26c43.html

[NORFOLK DAILY NEWS] Nebraska firm wins tech award

•
December 15, 2021

https://norfolkdailynews.com/business/nebraska-firm-wins-tech-award/article_63596406-52b6-11ec-8d93-2f6a20050bdd.html

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Cookies: The tasty treat that makes your browsing more personalized?

•
February 11, 2022

It’s thin mint and tagalong season! We may want to “accept all” the cookies we’re …

All about managed backups

•
February 3, 2022

It’s critical to have managed backup services in place so that, in the event of …

A little about MFA

•
December 17, 2021

According to recent research, over 99.9% of the Microsoft accounts that are compromised every month …

Let’s talk about managed IT versus break-fix

•
July 14, 2021

Full disclosure we’re pretty one-sided on this debate. Here, Jarod & Ed explain why. WATCH …

How business owners can better prepare for 2021

•
February 16, 2021

  Evaluating Policies, Procedures and Systems to Be Better Prepared in 2021 Applied Connective offers …

Applied Connective is a managed technology services provider offering expert managed IT, phone, physical security, infrastructure, and audio/video solutions to partners throughout Nebraska and beyond. As a Nebraska business ourselves, we have a special place in our hearts for seeing Nebraska businesses and organizations thrive.

ALBION (HQ)
PO Box 446
2585 State Hwy 14
Albion, NE 68620
(402) 395-6924

NORFOLK
321 W Norfolk Ave, Suite 400
Norfolk, NE 68701
(402) 379-1899

COLUMBUS
4471 41st Ave, Suite 201
Columbus, NE 68601
(402) 562-5904

About us

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Connect is our middle name!

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Kenley Silhacek

Senior IT Systems Engineer

  • I am born and raised in Pierce, NE. I currently live in Pierce with my wife Joey and 3 boys Colter, Taron, and Watson. We have an incredibly tight-knit family with all of our close family living within a few blocks of each other.
  • I graduated high school from Pierce High School in 2010 and went on to NECC to get my associate's in PC Support and Networking. I later went back to school and took online classes to get my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity from Bellevue University.
  • I currently run a small business with my brother and best friend that we started in a basement. We make custom duck and goose calls. We started Hammer Calls in 2015 and have grown that into almost a full-time job on its own.
  • I have a long background in IT with working for a local wireless ISP through college and then moved over to Faith Regional doing networking and cybersecurity for 7 years.
  • One of my favorite past times is golfing. With my kids getting older, they love coming along and learning how to play the game. They especially like driving me around in the golf cart now that they are old enough to reach the pedals.

Mason Uhing

IT Support Specialist

  • I am currently attending Northeast Community College where I am seeking an Associates Degree in Network Security and Technical Services Support.
  • I graduated from North Bend Central in 2021, while attending high school at North Bend I worked alongside the Technology Coordinator at the school.
  • I grew up in Dodge Nebraska and lived there my entire life before moving to Norfolk for college.
  • In my free time, I enjoy hunting, bowfishing and any vehicle related project.
  • A fun fact about myself is that I own a replica of the Mystery Machine from Scooby-Doo.

Faith Nunn

IT Support Specialist

  • I currently go to Wayne State College and am pursuing a degree in Computer Information Systems with a minor in Computer Science.
  • I am originally from Harrison Nebraska and grew up on my family's ranch where I was able to work/show cattle and ride horses.
  • My high school graduating class consisted of 6 of us and the high school only had like 30 students attending it.
  • I love the thrill of things like riding dirt bikes, jet skis, cliff jumping, skydiving, etc. I haven't been able to sky dive or ride a jet ski yet, but they are on my bucket list.
  • I was able to travel to Washington D.C. for National History Day my 8th grade year and I would love to travel outside the country soon.

Kara Frey

Administrative Assistant

  • I'm a native of Albion. I graduated from Wayne State College with a bachelor's degree in Fashion Merchandising.
  • My prior work history includes retail and administrative work. Once upon a time, I worked as an assistant buyer with big dreams of becoming Rachel Green from FRIENDS!  Life threw a curve ball when my husband changed careers, and honestly, I love raising our kids in this little town we grew up in.
  • Knowing that, it's probably no surprise that I think retail therapy is the best kind of therapy. My husband swears the UPS and FedEx drivers high-five as they meet in the driveway.
  • I’m married to Eric and we have 4 girls (Ava, Norah, Mya, and Marah), a dog, and a bunch of farm cats.
  • A little known fact about me is I’m NOT an animal lover—especially of cats. I rank them just slightly above a rodent, but here I am, living the dream tripping over a herd of cats every time I step outside my door.

Brandi Feldmann

IT Support Specialist

  • I grew up on a farm outside of Meadow Grove with dairy cattle and sheep. My family only has sheep now (approx. 300). At one point they had around 700.
  • I attended Dakota State University in Madison, SD, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, all within 5 years.
  • I started my career in the electricity industry and moved to Grand Island; I decided that I wanted to be closer to family, so I moved back to Meadow Grove.
  • I’m the oldest of 3 sisters, but I’m the shortest.
  • I love scrapbooking, relaxing and watching tv, playing with our family’s dog, and spending time with family and friends.
  • I took my first international trip to Iceland in 2019 and climbed a glacier.
  • My grandparents had horses, and I was bucked off one once but still got back on.
  • I once got stabbed in the foot (between two toes) with a beachfork while cleaning out the barn.
  • My dad threatened to send me to school with a football helmet after I broke the same front tooth twice—once by playing football in the gym and running into the cement wall and another time when I was roller-skating in the gym and I fell on the cement floor.

“Lakeview Community Schools has enjoyed our partnership with Applied Connective. They have been incredibly responsive, knowledgeable, and cooperative as we have worked together. Applied Connective has provided a team-like atmosphere in their service!”

Aaron Plas, Superintendent

Lakeview Community Schools

“We have been very pleased with their communication, efficiency, and customer service over the course of the last few years. We would highly recommend ACT to any other schools out there looking for a reliable partner for your technology needs.”

Brandon Detlefsen, Technology Director

Central City Public Schools

“Their service is always reliable and timely, and the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Our needs are their #1 priority! Boone Central is beyond grateful to have top-of-the line technology services and customer support.”

Nicole Hardwick, Superintendent

Boone Central Public Schools

“They’ve been with us every step of the way as we implemented phone systems, security cameras, and keypad doors. Their customer service is second to none, and their business knowledge is outstanding.”

Ronda Weber, Technology Coordinator

Burwell Public School

“Applied Connective did an amazing job with our school security cameras. They were very professional and easy to work with. [They’re] patient with our questions and quickly respond when we need some direction. The cameras work great and are very easy to access. Thank you for a job well done!”

Amy Sokol, Principal

St. Anthony's School

Lance Bain

AVS Technician

  • I was born and raised in small towns around the Kearney area and graduated from Amherst.
  • I'm a big family person. I am the oldest sibling with 6 sisters and 2 brothers, including a twin brother and sister who are 20 years younger than me.
  • I have lived in Lincoln for nearly 2 decades and recently decided "Hey, why not Albion?" Coincidentally, my girlfriend and her two sons live here as well.
  • I like grilling and BBQ and recently got a black stone that I don't know how to use properly.
  • I played poker well enough in my early years to not need a job, do some cool things, and visit some cool places...but not well enough to retire on a beach somewhere forever.
  • I almost instantly know the answers to basic multiplication tables. Somehow this hasn't made me a millionaire yet.

Brigitte Burbach

HR & Operations Manager

  • I have the sweetest fur-baby, a “Chuggle” named Trixie. She is mix of Chihuahua and Pug & Beagle.
  • I grew up on a farm, but never learned to drive any of the farm equipment…..or a stick shift.
  • I unknowingly ran a half marathon with a stress fracture in my leg.
  • I love to do CrossFit.

Clay Anderson

WISP Technician

In my current role as WISP Technician I’m responsible for the network and infrastructure around the Columbus area and the quality of service provided to our customers therein.

  • I believe technology isn't a knowledge to be kept secret by a few, but a tool to be leveraged in order to help many. I truly love making technology make sense for everyone.
  • After some related education, I spent a little over six years planning, implementing and maintaining wireless and wired networks and systems, receiving a crash course in all things LAN/WAN, Linux/Unix.
  • I serve as the Technical Lead at my church North Park in Columbus.
  • God has blessed my beautiful wife Rebekah and I with two children, Reuben and Agnes.
  • Multi-year recipient, World's Best Dad.

Brandon Petersen

Relationship Manager & IT Engineer

Relationship Manager/IT Engineer – I work side by side with our clients to ensure they are receiving the best value from our products and services, offer insights to improve their workflows, and resolve any issues that may arise as fast as possible.

  • My wife Jamie, along with our 3 kids, Haylea, Elijah, and Noah, live south of Stanton on our family farm. We enjoy going to all of our kids' sports, activities, and school events.
  • I graduated from Northeast Community College with a degree in Computer Programming. Over the last 20 years, I've covered a wide range of technology fields. Manufacturing, Healthcare, Telecommunications, Agriculture, supporting organizations from 5 to 1,500 employees, I've done a little bit of everything.
  • In my free time, I love to work outside on the farm or in the garage. We raise goats, chickens, ducks, and the occasional raccoon or potbelly pig.
  • This is actually my second time working at Applied Connective. I previously worked here from 2011-2012.
  • Our American Bulldog, Tucker, is a great-grandson of the dog "Chance" from the movie Homeward Bound.
  • I originally went to college on a Caterpillar scholarship to be a Diesel Technician.

Logan Niewohner

Administrative and Marketing Assistant

My role here as of now includes helping in the administrative & marketing departments. I’ll be helping answer calls, assisting with simple IT questions for customers, coordinating marketing tasks, and more.

  • I have been married to almost two years to my high school sweetheart (been together almost eight years). She works as a pharmacy technician, pursuing her masters in social work. We live in Albion, along with our two golden retrievers Tigg & Mercy.
  • I've always been the first to volunteer when my family needed anything fixed with their computers, tvs, phones, or anything else. I've been repairing electronic devices and offering troubleshooting to the community for the last six months.
  • I really enjoy video games, whether it be on the computer or console. I was in the top 1,000 players on the COD of leaderboards a few years ago.
  • In my spare time, I'm usually spending time with my wife and family as they bring me the most happiness in life.
  • I went from having 10 kids in my class though middle school to having over 60 in high school when we moved to Albion.
  • I actually like mowing and landscaping our yard!

Justin Borgmann

Level 1 IT Technician

As a level 1 IT Technician, I assist customers in their daily IT needs, and respond to any issues that may arise.

  • I was born and raised in Norfolk, and have lived there for all but 3 years, which I spent in Lincoln, NE. I enjoy spending time outdoors, camping and boating, and following my favorite sports teams, the Huskers and the Cubs.
  • I love to travel, and try to attend a Husker football road game yearly. My favorite two cities I’ve visited are San Diego and Chicago.
  • I spend several weekends every summer in the Yankton, SD, area, camping and boating with family and friends.
  • I’m very family-oriented, and enjoy spending time with my immediate and extended family. I have one older brother, who is married and living in Lincoln. I try to visit them and my two nephews as often as possible!
  • While my golf game is in need of some serious professional help, I enjoy getting out on the course on the weekends when I can.

Bryce Molt

Level 1 IT Technician

As a Level 1 IT Technician, I provide general help desk support for clients.

  • I graduated from Cedar Rapids Public Schools in 2009 and attended CCC in Columbus, NE.
  • I have a very large family and most live in the Boone County area. 21 first cousins and 15 second cousins.
  • During the summer, my brother races a couple nights a week, and I help him out on the car getting it ready for the track.
  • My family and I like to go camping during the summer and enjoy finding new places. This year, my nephew Axton will join in on the fun.
  • I like to attend local sporting events or any Husker event. This past year was not a good year, but hopefully next fall, that’ll change.

Michael Briseño

Level 1 IT Technician

As a level 1 IT Technician, I provide general desktop and printer support for clients. I ensure computer systems are running smoothly by diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining hardware and software components.

  • I was born and raised in Long Beach, California. In 2014, I moved to Nebraska with my wife.
  • I love playing the piano.
  • On the weekends, I work on my project car to get it ready for the track.
  • I like to collect toy collectibles from the 90s.
  • I enjoying playing trading card games.

Weston Ray

General Technician

My role as a general technician at Applied Connective involves the installation of video surveillance, security, Internet, and phones, along with pathways and running cables just to name a few of our many duties.

  • I am happily married to my wife of 7 years, Kelli Ray, who is a PA at Boone County Health Center in Albion.
  • We have been blessed with three children, Sawyer, Harlow, and Asher, along with two Yorkies, Louie and Macie.
  • I’m ambidextrous.
  • I’m an avid hunter and have taken two Boone & Crocket Bucks.
  • I enjoy golf, but baseball has always been my favorite sport. Growing up, if you couldn’t find me, all you had to do was look for the closest diamond. Speaking of baseball, I’m a HUGE Cubs fan.

Casey Schalk

AVS Technician

My role as a general technician at Applied Connective is primarily to work with the AVS crew to install and configure surveillance, internet, security, and voice technologies.

  • I’m a Boone County native, born and raised.
  • I went to elementary, junior high, and high school in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Southeast Community College in Lincoln with an associate’s degree in Fire Protection before moving home to Cedar in 2011.
  • My wife and I have known each other since being young tikes. We got married in 2017 and started our own little family, adding two boys, Riggins and Pierce.
  • I am a die-hard Detroit Lions fan (even through the 0-16 season)! Not many people would stick around to see the bad (and the really bad) and continue to cheer on the same team for a lifetime. I would say a “bucket list” item for me is to live to see the Lions make the Super Bowl.

Grady Higgins

Level 1 IT Technician

I assist customers with IT-related problems by answering questions on the helpdesk and working with customers to resolve the problems they have. I also assist advanced technicians with tasks for experience and faster project completion.

  • I live in Newman Grove with my wife Cara and our daughter Caitlyn. I originally grew up in Grand Island and left after high school to enlist in the US Air Force. My wife’s family is from the Newman Grove area, and we love being able to call it home.
  • In the USAF, I trained as a Communications-Computer Systems Operator and learned computer maintenance and repair with some network administration. I’ve worked for 12 years as a 911 dispatcher helping the public.
  • Ever since leaving the military, computers and computer gaming have been hobbies that I enjoy.
  • Genealogy is another hobby I have gotten into the last few years, and it has become more of an addiction than hobby!
  • I come from a family with lots of military and public safety history and we are always proud to serve near and far.
  • My wife and I have the same cousins. We enjoy the fact that our families have known each other before we were born as my aunt and Cara’s uncle married.

Eric Beckman

AVS Technician

My role as a general technician at Applied Connective is primarily to work with the AVS crew to install and configure surveillance, security, Internet, and voice technologies.

  • I graduated from Elgin Public in 2002 and never attended college.
  • I still live in Elgin with my wife Anney of 15 years along with our children Jeslynn, Taylor, and Benson.
  • I ran my own trucking business for 14 years until I decided to head in a different direction in life.
  • I really enjoy working with my hands, especially building things or taking stuff apart to see how it works and putting it back together.
  • I have been a Kansas City Chiefs fan for a long time (even though they were terrible for most of it), so in the fall, I try to spend all weekend watching football!

Kris Wright

General Technician

My role as General Technician includes installation and troubleshooting of door access and camera security systems.

  • I have been married to my wife, Jamie, for 17 years and have two wonderful children, Lauryn and Kaleb
  • I’ve spent the last 11 years as a residential and small business technician for cable contractor for Cox communications and, recently, Eagle Communications here in the Albion area.
  • I enjoy helping coach my kids sporting events and, when not coaching, traveling to watch them play.
  • My favorite past-time—besides sitting in my chair—is grilling. There is nothing better then being outside smoking a pork butt or beef brisket all day.

Mikki Mangus

General Accountant

Some of my duties as General Accountant include payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable and reconciliation. I am happy that I am part of the Applied Connective Team.

  • I live in Albion with my husband Tom. Between the two of use we have six kids, three boys & three girls, kind of like the Brady Bunch.
  • I have been doing payroll, bookkeeping, and income tax preparation for nearly 25 years. I enjoy working with numbers and the challenges that go along with it.
  • I love spending time with family, cooking, and being outdoors. When all six kids are home, it gets loud, crazy, and fun.
  • During the summer, I spend almost every weekend at Calamus lake, boating, fishing, and camping.
  • Mikki is actually my nickname. My real name is Antoinette.
  • My guilty pleasure is Snickers ice cream bars.

Heidi Kahlo

IT Technician

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Oscar Bonilla

Level 1 IT Technician

As a Level 1 IT Tech, I do some IT work for businesses, such as setting up computers on a domain.

  • I was born and raised in Columbus, Nebraska. I married the love of my life on June 24th, 2017. We welcomed our first son (Julian) on January 7th, 2018 and our first daughter (Juliette) on June 5th, 2019.
  • I recently graduated from Wayne State College. I am bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish.
  • I prefer Samsung products, especially over Apple.
  • Before joining the Applied Connective Technologies family, I would build floors for semi-trailers. Also, I would attach refrigeration units on trailers and install trailer skirts/farings.
  • My perfect breakfast used to be Poptarts and Dr. Pepper.

Eric Petsche

General Technician

My role as a general technician at Applied Connective is primarily to work with the AVS crew to install and configure surveillance, security, Internet, and voice technologies.

  • I’m a born-and-raised Boone County native.
  • I went to elementary school in Petersburg, high school at Boone Central here in Albion, graduated with a degree in business administration from Southeast Community College in Lincoln, and moved back to Petersburg in 2015.
  • My wife, Tori, and I have known each other since junior high, and we are happily married with two daughters, Jade and Lexi.
  • As a kid in tee ball, I’ve was dubbed “Pockets” because I’d run the bases with my hands in my pockets, and it continues to be a nickname I hear often today.
  • I’m a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan.

Kelsi Havlovic

IT Technician

I am a Level 1 IT Technician at Applied Connective, so my role is to perform a variety of IT-related duties to different customers.

  • I grew up in a small town called Prague, which has a population of about 300 people.
  • I attended Northeast Community College and graduated with an associate's degree in Information Technology in Cisco Networking and Internet Security in 2019. I graduated with my bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity through Bellevue University in 2021.
  • I love spending time with my family. I have one sister name Mikala and 2 dogs named Oppi & Rexx.
  • I have one niece named Harper and one nephew named Braxton. They both enjoy spending time with their auntie.
  • I am OBSESSED with shoes. I only have about 85 pairs.
  • My favorite thing to do on the weekends is go shopping, attend concerts, and spend time with my family and friends.
  • I love watching Husker volleyball.

Chase Thieman

AVS Technician

My role as an AVS technician at Applied Connective is to work with the AVS team to install and configure surveillance, security, internet, and voice technologies.

  • I went to Boone Central from preschool all the way through high school, graduating in 2020. I was raised in Petersburg and plan on living there my whole life.
  • I enjoy spending my free time outdoors doing activities like hunting, fishing, working on the farm, hiking, and many more activities.
  • I’m a big-time Husker fan and enjoy watching all their games no matter what sport it is.
  • My favorite outdoor activity is hunting, and I spend most of evening either hunting or preparing to hunt (checking trail cameras, practicing archery, and hanging tree stands).
  • The only vegetables I like are corn and potatoes.

Cody Banzhaf

IT Systems Engineer

As an IT Systems Engineer, my job is to evaluate, monitor, and enhance IT infrastructure with an emphasis on availability, reliability, scalability, security, data confidentiality, and system integrity.

  • My wife, Stephanie, and I have two daughters, Annabelle and Claire, and a dog named Cletus.
  • We enjoy a variety of outdoor camping activities, including camping and boating.
  • I am a former GM and raid leader of a successful WoW guild.
  • I’ve been the recipient of multiple Nebraska Master Angler Awards over the years.
  • When I was younger, I had a SWEET mullet—of which my coworkers absolutely insist I supply photographic evidence.
  • In 2002, I was the Nebraska State Wrestling Champion.

Eric Henn

Voice Technician

My job is to do whatever Ed tells me to. Just kidding…sort of. I am part of the voice group.

  • I graduated from Neligh-Oakdale high school in 2006 and Wayne State College in 2011 with a degree in K-12 Health/PE.
  • I have a wife named Alyssa and a daughter named Hazel. Alyssa is an RN at Boone County Heath Center and is the exact same person as me…only in a woman’s body.
  • I love the sport of wrestling and have been participating/coaching since I was 5.
  • I am a proud team member of “Buff’s Dairy,” the 2017 Neligh Men’s Bowling League Champions.
  • Until I was about 18, I thought the lyrics to “Smoke on the Water” were “Stone Covered Water.”
  • I do not like pizza cheese or cold cheese. All other cheese is fine.

Alex Herstedt

Telecom / IT Technician

As a Telecom/IT Technician, I work with traditional and hosted phone systems.

  • I’m married to my wonderful wife, Kaitlin, and we have two daughters and a son, Jillian, Abigail, and Matthew.
  • I have an AAS in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management and a BS in Information Technology.
  • I was a chef for almost 8 years before switching career fields.
  • I like to collect ferrite cores to irritate one particular colleague here at work.
  • I’ve been serving in the National Guard since 2008.
  • I am an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church.

Scott Whaley

Level 1 IT Technician

I’m part of the IT team at Applied Connective, so my days are spent setting up new PCs for customers; troubleshooting broken PCs, printers, etc., and installing new hardware.  

  • I have experience in large steel construction and general IT.
  • I’m from Sioux Falls, SD, and studied political science at USD before moving to Albion in 2017.
  • I enjoy watching the Chicago Bears & Detroit Tigers.
  • I’ve been to all of the lower 48 states.
  • My family and close friends call me Scoot.
  • My guilty pleasure: I love to sing along to Jewel.
  • I could not live without Red Bull.
  • My favorite singer is Tom Petty, and I’ve seen him in concert three times.

Colton Mazour WISP Manager

  • I was raised in Albion with my 5 siblings, one of which transcribed the sentence you are currently reading.
  • I enjoy reading, hunting, horse riding, and sports.
  • Macgruber is a cinematic masterpiece.
  • Death is Coltonly afraid of me.
  • My motto is “fortune favors the bold.”

Jessi Larson

Creative & Marketing

My work centers on creative content development and marketing—design, copywriting, website management, and social media as well as coordinating philanthropy efforts.

  • My husband Kyle, daughter Kacey, our yellow lab Huckleberry, and I live in Albion.
  • I studied Advertising (& English) at UNL and since then have worked in marketing, mostly as a project manager and copywriter/editor, before joining Applied Connective in 2017.
  • I am: an Albion native, mostly Czech, double-jointed in one thumb, and still patiently waiting for “Mambo No. 6.”
  • We recreate different Christmas movie scenes for our holiday card every year—because we’re the jolliest bunch of [impersonators] this side of the nuthouse.
  • I live for family time and am a firm believer in the power of faith, gratitude, and 90s power ballads.

Curt Hart

IT Technician

My role here at Applied Connective is to provide support to our customers by diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining hardware and software components to ensure the smooth and secure operation of computer network systems.

  • My wife (Faith) and I have two sons (Taber, born on 10/9/13, and Kiply, born on 1/25/20) and a rabbit (Brownie White, born sometime in 2019).
  • As a kid I would always love getting new toys and electronics so I could take them apart and build something else out of them. Some of the more notable of these ‘inventions’ included:

    • a satellite dish that I hooked up to a black and white television and successfully picked up audio from a telephone answering machine service as well as orders from a drive through restaurant across town

    • a robot that had moving arms and spoke, a time travel device that the police department mistook for a bomb

    • and a ‘virtual sound shack’ for my Super Nintendo – I sent pictures and schematics of this in to Nintendo and received an official letter back from Nintendo North America.
  • I am originally from Fremont and graduated from Archbishop Bergan Catholic High School in 2002. I took all of the computer courses at my high school by the time I was a sophomore and ended up being sent to the local community college for more advanced courses as well as being tasked with helping to teach courses and maintain the high school’s network & website.
  • After high school, I went to Iowa Western Community College for a summer of radio practicum and then switched to Computer Science. I also took online courses in Network Security through the University of Advancing Technology while I was employed by a defense contractor for the United States federal government from 2004-2006. And in 2010 I received a specialty certificate in sound recording from Metro Community College. Currently, I am taking an ethical hacking/cyber security course online.
  • I have been in bands since I was 13 (lead vocals, guitar, synthesizer) and I owned my own business for awhile that did professional mixing & editing of audio (among other things). I have worked with audio in one way or another for about twenty years.
  • A few fun facts my wife provided about me: Every year for his birthday, his parents get him a DQ ice cream cake; he’s great at composing, editing, and playing music, and he used to race a sports car.

Matt Childress

Level 2 IT Technician

I am a level 1 tech here at Applied Connective, so I perform a variety of IT-related duties. 

  • I graduated from Midland University with a degree in Business Administration, concentration in Management Information Systems.
  • I grew up in Colorado Springs, but after meeting my wife, Brittany, in college, decided move back to her hometown: Albion.
  • I enjoy spending my time aimlessly walking around Menard’s.
  • I am a huge baseball fan. My favorite team is the Colorado Rockies.
  • I am slowly but surely becoming a Boone Central Cardinal fan, and I am probably the annoying and way-too-intense guy that you hear yelling at the game.
  • I buy Ranch dressing by the gallon, because I basically drink it with my meals.

Sara Rasmussen

IT Service Manager

  • My husband, Cody, and I have two daughters, two dogs, two donkeys, a mama cat, and sheep.
  • I’m originally from Albion and am happy to live around all our family and friends.
  • I’m fascinated by the medical field. I’ve worked in medical facilities and to keep my interest piqued, I became an EMT.
  • I enjoy learning how to fix/build things. All of my family and friends are gifted in a vast variety of things, so I feel I’m always learning something new from them.
  • Notification bubbles on phones/computers drive me crazy!

Nathan Niewohner

IT Project Manager

  • My wife, Ashley, and I are new parents to our son, Greyson. The three of us live in Elgin with our two dogs, Rex and Jayden.
  • I graduated from Northeast Community College with an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science in PC Support and Networking (and also had an equal amount of music classes for my degree in college).
  • I wish spiked hair and reversed upside-down visors would come back in style.
  • In my free time I enjoy cooking, grilling, baking, or anything that involves food.
  • One of my proudest accomplishments is passing the Nebraska Firefighter 1 certification.

Justin Niewohner

AVS Project Manager

I install surveillance, security, Internet, phone, and audio systems to fit our customers’ needs.

  • My wife, Betsy, and I have two daughters, Julia and Emma.
  • I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
  • I play in weekly leagues of golf, basketball, sand volleyball, and flag football throughout the year.
  • I am a “beer geek.” When we grocery shop, I spend at least 20 minutes (or until my wife tells me it’s time to go) in the wine and spirits section looking up beer ratings on BeerAdvocate before I make a purchase.
  • I am usually around a smoker on the weekends. I love barbecuing: pork butt, brisket, ribs, chicken, turkey, pork loin, etc.

Ryan Robinson

AVS Service Technician

I provide and coordinate technical services and support for infrastructure, access control, surveillance, and audio/video solutions.

  • I live on our family farm near Cedar Rapids, NE (yes, Nebraska has a Cedar Rapids too!) along with my wife, Sarah, and our two children, Reagan and Flynn.
  • I have a degree in Architectural Drafting and also have a strong Ag and Construction background.
  • I love spending time with my family, whether it be taking an evening drive, playing with the dog in the yard, or just relaxing at night watching our favorite shows and listening to our favorite music.
  • I’m a HUGE Dwight Yoakam fan! I’ve also managed to get my wife hooked and am currently doing my best to mold my kids to follow me into Dwight Yoakam fandom. This makes family road trips more like a Dwight Concert!
  • My hobbies are few, but I can’t get enough of them. Hunting and woodworking are passions of mine. They require patience, adaptability, skill, attention to detail, and the ability to always keep your end-goal in sight—and I apply those skills to all aspects of my life, particularly when implementing today’s high-tech solutions for our customers.
  • My mantra is “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome.” If you’re ever in a tough spot, just remember those three things!

Jarod Dendinger

Business Development

My role here at Applied Connective centers on business development, so that involves assisting our team in focusing on value-added processes as well as leveraging technology to provide solutions for our business partners that support them in continued success and growth.

  • I have been married to my lovely wife, Shelby, since 2016. We have a two year old daughter named, Elliot, who currently is really into Scooby Doo, Trolls, and Frozen. We have a furry son who is 6 years old, Dennis the Goldendoodle. I grew up in Norfolk, NE and went to a high school that shall not be named. (Go Knights!) I graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and majored in Management Information Systems.
  • I have worked in IT for 14 years (2006) and have had the privilege of working in many different facets of IT. I have dabbled in helpdesk support, networking, industrial automation, development, organizational change management, and corporate business system (ERP) implementation.
  • I took 10 years of piano lessons growing up, and played bass guitar in a band “Rhymes with Orange” with my two older brothers – Eric and Jake (I’m the youngest of three). (Check us out on Spotify!)
  • I grew up on an acreage in the middle of Norfolk, NE where my Dad continues to grow some of the best sweet corn in Northeast Nebraska. The sweet corn business really took off when me and my older brother would sell it door to door around our neighborhood with our garden tractor and trailer.
  • I absolutely love being near or on any body of water, when I get to go fishing that is an added bonus. I spend as much time as I possibly can in the summer up at our family cabin on the Missouri River.
  • Similar to Will, I like bowling, darts, yard games, cards and board games. I know he has troubles finding people to join him, so if he ever reads this, I would gladly participate with him.

Will Zoucha

Voice Manager

My duties as Voice Manager include the sales, service, and consultation of all things voice-related, along with the management of the voice department.

  • My wife, Megan, and I have two children, Aurora and Miles, and live three miles south of Fullerton. I grew up in Cedar Rapids, NE, and attended Wayne State College, which is where I met Megan.
  • Outside of the office, I try to spend as much of my free time with my family as possible. We like to work outside and sit around a fire and listen to music. The cold and snow of winter cramps our style, but we love Nebraska.
  • I get to work with my baby brother, Matt, and he enjoys it very much.
  • I like bowling, yard games, cards, and board games (even if it’s becoming harder and harder to find people willing to play with me). I am very competitive and have been informed that I am unpleasant to be around when having lost. Luckily, losing doesn’t happen very often.
  • During football season, my Sunday afternoons and evenings have been and will be marked as “busy” on my schedule for many years.

Ed Knott

President

As President at Applied Connective, I am responsible for organizational direction and general oversight of all product/service areas.

  • My wife, Colleen, is an RN, and we have 3 children.
  • I grew up on a small farming/ranching operation north of Taylor, NE, and received my bachelor’s degree at Doane College.
  • Life is crazy busy, but if I get some free time, I like to enjoy it outdoors…preferably fishing or hunting.
  • Co-workers love my unrealistic but realistic expectations for task completion…
  • My wife would kill me if I volunteer for one more thing. I’m currently involved with or have been a member of Boone Central School Board, Teammates Advisory Board, Albion Citizens Advisory Board, Boone County Fitness Center Board.
  • I’m proud and privileged to work alongside some of the brightest and best individuals in the area.