UNSUNG HERO

Air Force photo by Margo Wright Shenandoah Speers isn’t satisfied to just do his job. The 72nd Air Base Wing Communications Directorate database lead admits he always wonders if there is a way to do things smarter, better, when handling the challenges of managing hundreds of application- and web-based servers that mainly support the 76th Maintenance Wing. Air Force Materiel Command directed him and his team to consolidate servers and that was a challenge he loved to tackle. But his team wasn’t satisfied to just meet the minimum requirements. They saw and resolved customers’ problem, often resolving issues before the customer was aware there was a looming problem, or, after many methods had already been tried by others yet failed. “There is no limit to his abilities or his willingness to help people,” said Kelley Butler, Communications Directorate deputy director. “He regularly solves tough technical issues and not only makes it look easy but is also one of the most pleasant people you have ever met.” Server consolidation methods, including creating virtual servers, took the AFMC goal further, saving more taxpayer money, increased cyber security and upped energy efficiency. “I love the challenge,” Mr. Speers said. “When someone says ‘that can’t be done’ …. Oh yeah, it can be,” he said enthusiastically. The live-time active screen that fills a corner of Mr. Speers’ office helps him monitor the performance of production databases.