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A Matter of Faith: Supporting the Ministry of Roswell Street Baptist Church

by | Dec 8, 2011 | Case Studies | 0 comments

An InterDev Case Study

Roswell Street Baptist ChurchSince its founding in 1943, Roswell Street Baptist Church (RSBC) has undergone many changes, moving from an organizing committee of 24 faithful to the current congregation of 8,000 members. With multiple ministries, global missions, and both television and online support programs, RSBC finds modern technology to be invaluable in its outreach efforts to “Connect People with God.” So, when a series of system issues revealed gaps in their backup plans and lack of system redundancy, RSBC knew it was time for a more robust solution. That search lead them to InterDev.

Business Case.

RSBC’s IT Director had been managing most of the technology work at RSBC with help from the Minister of Instrumental music (the former IT Director) and occasional IT partnerships. The realization of system shortcomings and the IT Director’s departure provided a perfect opportunity to overhaul the technology solution in place. “The IT Director was gifted, but no one possessed all the skills—networking; social media; desktop assistance required by our operation,” says Perry Sapp, RSBC’s Administrator of Finance and Information Technology. “We didn’t need someone onsite, 10 hours a day, but we did need a greater depth and breadth of knowledge than we could afford in one person.”

Sapp called in InterDev, which had previously assisted RSBC with the purchase and installation of servers. “In my initial meeting with Gary [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Nichols] and Neil [Matchan], there was an instant rapport. Gary said, ‘Make a list of all the tasks that your IT Director does and we will make sure all of those are covered and more.’ Any promises he made verbally, Gary was willing to put in writing,” says Sapp.

Solutions In Action.

Because RSBC wanted someone onsite at least part time to help with questions or desktop needs that arose, InterDev worked out a plan that combined InterDev’s fully managed, “all you can eat” IT services with the presence of an onsite resource. An InterDev IT specialist would be available at RSBC for half-days every weekday. InterDev’s proactive, remote monitoring and maintenance solution with on-call technical assistance would be operational around the clock. InterDev would also recommend improvement projects that could facilitate RSBC’s mission and protect it against potential disasters, then implement those projects with RSBC’s approval for the equipment purchase.

“When the InterDev specialist walks out the door, we still have InterDev service,” notes Sapp. “If we have a problem, InterDev can log in, or they can dispatch another specialist within an hour or so. We set up the limited onsite timeframe, but the level of service is not limited. If we need somebody day or night, we call and get the service we need.”

Since contracting with RSBC, InterDev has helped the 50 desktop-user church adopt virtualization technology for most of its servers and connect the users via fiber to the central physical server rack. The firm also recommended and installed a Unitrends backup device, with vaulting of data as a failsafe mechanism. InterDev is also helping the church determine an acceptable offsite data backup site. Ongoing projects include installation of campus wide Wi-Fi and transitioning to Windows 7, with any desktop replacements being upgraded to Windows 7 boxes.

Measurable Benefits.

For RSBC, one of the big benefits of moving to InterDev has been the peace of mind that comes from knowing that technical professionals are watching over the church’s infrastructure, 24/7/365. One of RSBC’s heaviest system usage days is Sunday, when AV computerization requirements increase technical complexity. InterDev keeps a tech expert on call in case a technical service need arises.

For Sapp, the benefits are measurable, as well. “Just after we signed our contract, we implemented a new server installation. Before the contract, in addition to our fulltime staff, I would have contracted with an IT provider to augment our technical support for the install at a cost of about $5,000. Once we signed with InterDev, those IT projects are part of our agreement. We immediately saved $5,000. My annual IT budget has been reduced by several thousand dollars.”

Sapp says uptime and support for the church’s worship services and other ministries has also improved. Employees have noticed the difference, but more important, Sapp says, is what some haven’t noticed. “I went into the Senior Pastor’s office last month and said, ‘Did you know we had a server crash over the weekend?’ and he said ‘No, I didn’t.’ I said, ‘See, I’m doing my job well.’”

“InterDev has performed well, following through on the quality of service they promised,” Sapp continues. “They have been able to step in and provide technology support for our various ministries, with the depth of technical knowledge we need; at a reasonable cost. This technical expertise at a reasonable cost is why we moved from a full-time employee to an outsource contract, and we’re glad we did.”

About the Client

Located in Marietta, GA, Roswell Street Baptist Church “is called to connect people with God through authentic worship, Christian growth and service to the community.” RSBC offers a broad range of worship styles plus small group Bible studies on one campus. Participation is encouraged through drama teams, audio technologies, choruses, praise bands, choirs and orchestra. The church provides child care services during worship events for children up to the age of four (4). RSBC members actively minister in the community in various schools; through mission trips “across the streets, across the states and across the seas”; plus service events like the Fall Festival and Veterans ‘Day Celebration.

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As CEO of InterDev, Gary Nichols leads a firm of over 75 professionals, working from Atlanta and Chicago offices, who serve a variety of clients throughout the Southeast and Midwest. Nichols is responsible for managing the company’s direction and overall operations. He also spearheads InterDev’s initiatives in outsourced Managed IT and communications, overseeing its professional services and support to government, education, business and non-profit organizations across the US.

As the founder of InterDev in 1980, Gary was an early adopter of innovative technologies ranging from the first personal computer to artificial intelligence. His personal mantra of “find a way” inspired the innovative Government IT Consortium, a shared-service outsourcing model in use in the Chicago area. Gary’s leadership led to the formation of successful public-private partnerships (PPP) with the City of Sandy Springs, the City of Brookhaven, the City of Dunwoody, and other municipalities in Georgia.

Since 1980, the InterDev team has accumulated multiple industry awards, including Atlanta Business Chronicle Pacesetter, Appen Media Best of North Atlanta, and Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America (three-time honoree) – all under Gary’s leadership.

Gary earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia State University and is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). He is currently working on a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Gary has served on the Advisory Board of the National Technology Security Coalition and volunteers with TAG-Ed, FutureCity.org, and Habitat for Humanity.

With his extensive expertise in information technology and systems security, and strong professional training in IT solutions ranging from data centers and cloud computing to networking, Daniel Schultheiss is the cornerstone of InterDev’s IT practice. He provides high-level analysis of the IT infrastructure of organizations – from corporations to municipalities – and offers recommendations on how they can achieve their goals.

During his tenure at InterDev, Daniel has played a key role in InterDev’s growth, as the firm expanded its expertise to embrace emerging technology and security disciplines that have now become mission critical to firms of all sizes. One of his most significant achievements was helping to develop and implement InterDev’s Managed Services platform in 2006 – his first year with the firm. He also served as IT Manager for the City of Sandy Springs from 2011-2013, and helped InterDev launch its Government Services division in 2014.

Daniel holds a CISSP certification and is a Certified Ethical Hacker. He is also a member of the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG). Daniel graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering.

Neil Matchan leads InterDev’s technology programs, using his expertise and vision to help InterDev identify and seize technology opportunities for its clients while they are still in the innovation phase. Matchan was instrumental in developing, managing and growing InterDev’s Managed Services program, one of its core offerings.

Neil joined InterDev in 1998 as a Senior Systems Engineer, putting his strong technology acumen to work on the firm’s behalf. In 2006, he was promoted to the position of Director of IT Services, overseeing InterDev’s Technology Department and all related projects and client interactions. In 2014 he was promoted to CTO, a role that more clearly represents the contributions he makes to InterDev to this day.

Prior to joining InterDev, Neil worked in corporate sales for CompUSA, where he was named a Top 30 performer in the nation and was the #1 Account Executive at his location from 1995-1998.

Neil holds certifications from Dell, Barracuda Networks (Spam, Message Archiver, Load Balancer, and Web Filter), VMware, and Ruckus Wireless as well as for most major corporate software and hardware manufacturers. In 2009, he became the first person to be certified as a Next Generation Engineer through Barracuda’s firewall specialist program. Neil studied Industrial Psychology at Georgia State University and is a graduate of the Network Administrator Specialist program at Oglethorpe University.

As Chief Government Information Officer, Ashley Smith provides vision and leadership for developing and implementing information technology initiatives for InterDev’s Government Services division. He also acts as the Virtual Chief Information Officer (vCIO) for more than 20 of InterDev’s client municipalities, providing short- and long-term strategic IT planning for their environments.

With an extensive background working in the information technology and services industry, Ashley’s insight and planning have helped position InterDev’s municipal clients as leaders in the government sector, and he and his team continue to help these clients set the bar for exceptional municipal services.

Even before joining InterDev, Ashley was a seasoned government IT professional at both the state and local levels. He previously served as the IT and Communications Manager for the City of Hapeville, Georgia and as the IT Manager for the Hapeville Wi-Fi Network, part of the Wireless Community Georgia Grant program sponsored by the Georgia Technology Authority.

A frequent presenter at the Georgia Municipal Association’s Annual Conference and the Annual Mayors’ Day conference, Ashley has taught classes on best practices in government IT and on using technology to improve government operations. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Georgia Southern University and is a certified Government CIO (CGCIO) and a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). He is also certified in Network + and GCIC Data Integrity, and has completed courses in Recovery Training and Project Management from the Department of Homeland Security.

As InterDev’s Director of Operations, Mike Edelson oversees a consortium of local government GIS Managers throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area and manages InterDev’s MosaicGIS cloud-based solution and Location Intelligence Labs. With more than a decade of experience in Geospatial and GIS technologies, Mike has strong expertise in GIS enterprise database design and management, GPS collection and processing, and SDSFIE & FGDC metadata standards.

Mike joined InterDev in 2013 as a GIS Analyst for the City of Brookhaven, Georgia as part of InterDev’s public-private partnership with the city. After building the Brookhaven GIS department, he became instrumental in shaping InterDev’s GIS program and services for dozens of cities. His recent promotion to Director of Operations solidifies his commitment to leading the company to the next level of sales and service.

Prior to joining InterDev, Mike worked as a Project Manager at CH2M Hill, a global engineering firm. Working for the military, Edelson provided GIS Military Master Planning services to more than a dozen US military installations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar. He also performed field work after Hurricane Katrina.

During his career, Mike has received numerous awards, including URISA, a nonprofit professional organization that awarded Mike and his team the prestigious Exemplary Systems in Government Award in 2014 and 2016. Since 2012, he has volunteered as a Judge for the National Engineering Week Future City Competition. Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography and Environmental Science from Florida State University and is a graduate of the Leadership DeKalb Academy.

Lewis Wilkinson, Sr. heads InterDev’s Project Management Office, where he and his team work closely with government, commercial, and vendor principals to ensure the success of project work and the satisfaction of all parties. With a deep understanding of the complex interactions of software and technology deployments – and how they impact business processes – Lewis provides the structure, guidance, and communications to promote optimal results for InterDev clients. Projects Lewis successfully manages involve enterprise-wide ERP software, security and risk management assessments, technology infrastructure upgrades, and Managed Services deployments.

Since joining InterDev in 2011, Lewis has helped to build InterDev’s Project Management Office. He has also worked extensively with BS&A, Tyler Munis, Tyler Incode, New World Systems, CIS CSC security framework, and the ESRI GIS software suite, helping InterDev and its clients reap these platforms’ benefits.

Lewis is a certified Project Manager (PMP) as recognized by the Project Management Institute and an Agile Certified Scrum Manager (CSM). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Computer Science from Wake Forest University.

With a mission to provide, establish, and deploy the best security practices for InterDev and its clients, Jesse Cail leads InterDev’s Security team with the dedication to excellence he has shown in every facet of his life. As an information security professional with a broad spectrum of expertise ranging from cybersecurity and communications to windows and server administration, Jesse is laser focused on systems security and information assurance for InterDev clients.

Jesse joined the InterDev team in 2012 and almost immediately leveraged his experience and strong domain administration skills to build a security program from the ground up for the City of Sandy Springs. This program would later serve as the model program for all of InterDev’s clients.

A retired U.S. Army veteran with unique experiences in Special Operations, Jesse served and deployed with both 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He was also selected for a special six-year assignment to the White House Communications Agency, served as a member of the White House Situation Support Staff, and directly supported the White House Situation Room and National Security Council.

Jesse holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a GIAC Certified Critical Controls Implementation/Auditor, and a certified GIAC Security Essentials practitioner (GSEC).

Jennifer Braithwaite, InterDev’s Business Development Manager, leads her team by developing key relationships throughout the Southeast region in collaboration with the Government team at InterDev. Her talent and ability for building business relationships enables her to connect naturally with InterDev clients and prospects, making her a highly valued team member. Always focused on company achievement, Jennifer challenges the team to identify potential opportunities and helps them develop and execute the strategies that will bring them – and InterDev – success.

After joining InterDev in 2012 as a Sales and Marketing Assistant, Jennifer has logged an impressive track record. In 2014, Jennifer began selling for InterDev full time, landing several major accounts. In 2015, she was promoted to Business Development Associate after more than doubling her sales by securing over $2 million in revenue. Jennifer was also instrumental in helping InterDev land engagements with the City of Beaufort, South Carolina, and the cities of Canton, Chamblee, Douglasville, Fairburn, South Fulton, and Stonecrest, Georgia. In 2017, she was named to the InterDev $5 Million Dollar Club for another year of record-setting sales.

Prior to joining InterDev, Jennifer held a series of progressively responsible administrative positions, gaining operational insight that informed her work helping municipalities recognize the value in robust IT structures. She is a member of the Georgia City-County Management Association, the South Carolina City-County Management Association, the Texas City Management Association, the Florida City-County Management Association, Government Management Information Sciences, and the Georgia Municipal Association. She has also been named to the InterDev $5 Million Dollar Club for record-setting sales.

As IT Manager of InterDev’s Midwest region, Nino Spuria is a high-performance IT leader focused on building, growing, and managing InterDev’s advanced IT service structure. His strong technology background, combined with strategic leadership and business acumen, gives him the ability to meet or exceed service excellence goals while also increasing revenue and client satisfaction.

Prior to joining InterDev, Nino built a remarkable legacy of technology-focused project management and execution, especially in the public sector. As VP of Service Delivery at SDI, he was instrumental in the City of Chicago Mayor’s public initiative to install 1500+ cameras in more than 70 rail stations within six months to increase public safety and security.

A recipient of more than 15 awards for performance/delivery excellence from IBM, marchFIRST Inc, and SDI Solutions, Nino is ITIL certified and holds a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from McMaster University.

As IT Services Manager, Rosie Caldon leads a highly skilled and specialized team of engineers and customer care staff dedicated to providing professional technical support for all IT and VoIP products and service offering. Their dedication to maintaining the human element in technical support through personable, live-answer service promotes InterDev’s positive customer experience.

Rosie Caldon joined InterDev’s Voices Services Team in 2016 where she quickly expanded the company’s client base to more than 300 Commercial and Government VoIP clients and has subsequently been a key contributor to the success of onboarding enterprise VoIP clients.

Caldon’s career expands more than 10 years in the Telecom and IT industries in roles ranging from customer support to installations, project management, training, and leadership roles in complex and diverse technical environments.

Rosie studied Sociology at the University of Georgia and maintains her industry expertise through attainment of partner certifications with such innovative leading providers as Avaya, Jive, Digium, Fuze and Fortinet.

Jeff Colonna joined InterDev in 2019 in the role of Corporate Controller. In this position, he is responsible for the leadership of all accounting and finance functions. Since joining the firm, he has successfully transformed many of the financial processes of the company by incorporating new technologies that promote efficiency.

Colonna began his career with the international accounting firm Deloitte, where he specialized in auditing publicly traded technology companies. He later moved to the corporate accounting sector where he held several controller and director-level roles with small and large technology companies.

Colonna earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Connecticut and is currently a licensed CPA in the state of Georgia.

Randi Russell is the Human Resources and Recruiting Manager for InterDev, a role she assumed when she joined the company in 2018. In this position, she is responsible for all human resource functions from onboarding to professional development and exit planning as well new hire recruiting.

Prior to joining InterDev, Russell worked for a large retailer where she gained experience in warehouse, distribution, inventory control, risk management and human resources. Among her other professional accomplishments she counts the successful establishment and operation of a food distribution company that she grew to $8MM in annual revenue over nine years as well as an extended tenure working in the commercial furniture industry where she attained increasing levels of responsibility in business operations, commercial services and human resources.

Russell studied Liberal Arts and Computer Science at DeKalb Community College in Clarkston, Georgia, and earned her certification as a SHRM-CP in 2018.

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