On a quarterly basis, BIT recognizes staff in honor of their
outstanding performance and dedication to our agency, state government and the
citizens of South Dakota. This time around, we gladly recognize:
Al Peterson- Data
Center
Alan (Al) Peterson is a technology engineer level 4 for
BIT. He has been a member the BIT (CDP,IPS,I\S)
team for 39 years(yes, 39!). He started
working at the State in 1976 as a COBOL programmer for Central Data
Processing. (For those reading this who
are too young to have worked with COBOL, rest assured Al arrived with the
newest and latest programming skills).
In 1979 he joined a team researching mainframe database
technologies. That team picked the
technology that would become the State’s first Database Management System (ADABAS
from Software AG). Some of that team
eventually formed a Database Administration Group supporting the new technology
with Al as one of the founding members.
He has remained a valuable member of that team since 1979.
Al’s current duties span technologies used on both Windows
and the State’s IBM mainframe. These
include Natural, Natural Security, Webmethods, EntireX and Natural
Engineer. His backup duties include
Trim, Auditre and Predict.
Most recently Al has been integral in the implementation of
Natural Engineer. Natural Engineer is a key tool that will provide structural
analysis of the DSS Automated Eligibility (DSS’s largest application). Al is also key to the success of the State’s
SOA toolset (Software AG’s Webmethods) implementation. His instinctive insights and inputs in every
area of his duties enable everyone that works with Al to be more successful as
he’s always willing to share and teach.
Those who have been in BIT for many years may remember the “rigors” of
the ABABAS File Design Review process and feedback process and the helpful
feedback that was so often forthcoming from that process.
Al is definitely a team player and his years of experience
and skills make him a valued member of the BIT team. He always strives for the success of the
organization as his top priority.
Al grew up on a farm near Artesian, SD. He is an alumnus of Dakota State in Madison
and is a lifelong resident of South Dakota.
He is an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoys ATV trail rides in the Black
Hills, and his pontoon boat on the river.
He also likes to try out BBQ and grilling recipes, always looking for
that perfect marinate/seasoning/grille combination. More recently he has been enjoying time with
Denver, his grandson who has more hair than Al.
Linda Plett-
Telecommunications
Linda is a technology engineer and has worked for BIT for
almost 19 years. She is a member of the
IT Asset Management team. She began her
career with BIT at the Help Desk and was instrumental in the implementation of
the HEAT call tracking system. Through
this implementation, Linda became more knowledgeable on SQL server and as a
result moved from the Help Desk to the Database group. In 2013 when BIT started looking at IT Asset
Management products, Linda represented the Database group on the project. She took great interest in reviewing and
learning about the different vendor packages and when LANDesk was purchased,
Linda became part of LAN Services and the ITAM team. Linda does most of the backend database work
for the LANDesk software. She also works
with state agencies by presenting to them their installed software, what
software they have purchased and combing the two so they know where stand with
software compliance on Microsoft and Adobe products. Linda has learned a lot about different
software licenses, the ins and outs of what can and cannot be done with each of
the different software packages. She has
been very proactive in working with LANDesk to pass along ideas and resolve
issues we have experienced with their software. She sometimes gets the impression that we give LANDesk ideas on how to
improve their software.
In her spare time, Linda has enjoyed doing crafts and is
very talented in doing floral arrangements and making jewelry. She also likes to travel – has been to Scotland,
England, Whales and is planning a trip Ireland.
Linda has 3 sons – Trevor, Denver and Jeremy, two
daughter-in-laws - Natasha, who works for BIT Development in Rapid City and
Kori, and a very special granddaughter – Katia – who is the light of her life.
Elise Bunkers-
Development
Elise recently worked on a team to develop a system that
included both a web interface along with a mobile collection module. Users are
able to inventory, inspect, photo, and geo-locate items using a tablet. The
information is collected in the field using a mobile device, and then viewed
through a browser.
Elise moved to Pierre in May of 2013 and started working for
BIT as a summer intern. The summer intern position turned to into a full time
position and she has been working for BIT ever since.
Elise grew up in Del Rapids and graduated from Dakota State
University in 2013.
Even though she doesn’t catch many fish, she likes to try
whenever possible. Hiking is another way Elise is able to enjoy the outdoors.
While indoors, she likes to read, knit, and watch various types of movies.
Randy Sullivan-
Administration
Randy Sullivan, BIT Purchasing Agent, has been with State
government for 39 years. He has been a
vital member of the BIT Finance Team since 1996. His career with State government began in
1976 when in worked as an intern at KUSD Radio and TV. He was hired as a TV on-air operator and
production assistant and then transitioned to TV production full-time. In 1978 he took the Purchasing agent/Property
Management Officer position for SDPB & KUSD-TV and Radio.
Randy’s primary role with BIT has been coordination of
technological, broadcasting and radio equipment purchases for all divisions of
BIT. He is also tasked with grant
purchases, Statewide BIT inventory, surplus property, writing local purchase orders,
working with OPM on the Statewide Procurement Management system, reviewing and
updating the BIT accounting, purchasing and contract databases. He has been involved with the LANDesk project
that is currently underway. His software
and hardware data for BIT purchases has been extremely instrumental in
resolving some of the issues that were encountered.
Randy is native to SD.
He was born in Mitchell and grew up in that area, along with his 9
brothers and sisters in that area. He
received his degree in Mass Communications in 1976 from USD (go Yotes).
Randy married to his lovely wife, Sandie, in 1987. He is very involved with the Lions Club,
meals on wheels, and the Vermillion Coalition Against Domestic. His 2 children and 2 grandsons keep Randy on
top of his game!
Again, congratulations and thank you
all for your efforts and for all the years of dedication of service to
the State—BIT looks forward to many more!