TUNE-UP SPECIAL $ 65 00 Taxes Included Professionals Serving Central Coast Residents and Industry for over 40 Years Includes: Tighten & Replace Bad Bolts & Nuts • Lubricate Door • Adjust Electric Door Opener • Tighten Chain • Set Limit Switch & Lubricate 238-0524 Wholesale Pricing No Job Too Small New Construction Remodels/Repairs Tractor Work & Grading Horse Facilities General Contractor 35 Years Experince Lic. 735162 • Concrete Work • Fencing • Barns • Arenas • Electrical • Plumbing • Painting • Tile • Roofing • Decks • Garages • Solar Electric (805) 558-4193 52 Paso Robles <strong>Magazine</strong>, <strong>July</strong> <strong>2013</strong>
BUSINESS Paso Robles Tech: Computers for EVERY generation The crew of Paso Robles Tech includes, from left, ‘Poppa Geek’ Bob Colyer, owner Traci McMahon, bench technician Jonathan Vaughn and lead technician David Marshall. By S. W. Martin The nightmare scenario: Your new computer arrives all shiny and impressive, but when you plug it in and turn it on.... Nothing. No operating system. No happy chime. No welcome screen. Just ***GASP***... DOS; a disk management system used by the geekiest among us long before the arrival of any version of Windows. This is where most of us hope we can wake up screaming, and then realize it was all just a dream. Not Traci McMahon. When McMahon received her mail order computer in 1993 it arrived without an operating system installed. She ordered a copy of the Windows operating system from her vendor, then installed it herself, thus gleaning a more intimate knowledge of her computer than she would have gained by just booting it up and beginning to type. That knowledge eventually led this Business Administration/Management Information Systems Cal Poly-SLO graduate to a five-year stint with a local computer company. From there she went on to found her first business, WebIQ Media, which she operated out of her home for eight years. In January 2008 she re-branded her company “Paso Robles Tech” and moved it to a downtown Paso Robles location. Her business now provides computer services for a number of local businesses and the general public. Her business clients include such notables as Hope Family Cellars, Country Real Estate, Manzanita Property Management, Peachy Canyon Winery, Gateway Dental, Connect Home Loans, Las Tablas Medical Group and many others. “We provide service for everything from computers to game stations,” said McMahon. “We help individuals integrate their personal computer devices into their everyday lives. We don’t do ‘geek speak.’ We always try to make people feel they are better off for coming in.” One very important way she serves her customers is to have staff members who can relate to anyone with a computer problem. The company’s staff of service technicians range in age from 18 to 75 years of age. Each has a deep knowledge of computers from desktops to tablets. Jonathan Vaughn is an 18-yearold bench technician who has lived in Paso Robles all his life. He completed numerous computer courses at Paso Robles High School and competed successfully in the SkillsUSA competition in his Junior and Senior years. In 2011 he began as a service technician intern at Paso Robles Tech then joined the crew full-time after graduation. “I very much enjoy working with the staff here at Paso Robles Tech,” said Vaughn, “and I am glad to have started my career here as well.” Thirty-year-old David Marshall is the lead technician. Born in Orange County, he was raised in Creston and graduated from Atascadero High School in 2002. At the age of nine David was tinkering with his family’s home computer, finding hidden DOS programs and games. If you tinkered too much with computer settings, HE was the one responsible for getting things working again. He is a Cisco Certified Network Associate who worked for 10 years in computer sales in service at Staples during his Cuesta College and CSU Long Beach years. He enjoys backpacking, restoring cars and brewing beers and ciders. If there is a “Poppa Geek” at Paso Robles Tech it is Bob Colyer. Colyer was born in Fresno, raised in Soledad, attended high school in Gonzalez and college at Hartnell in Salinas. He married his high school sweetheart in 1960 and they raised seven children, all of them Bearcats. From his first Clerk Typist position with the State Prison System, Colyer advanced until he retired as the Program Administrator in charge of all support services in a major correctional facility. He was responsible for computerizing many operations and became proficient in repairing and maintaining those computers. Later he worked as a computer techni- cian at Staples in Paso Robles and Atascadero for nine years. “Paso Robles Tech offered me both the atmosphere and the opportunity to work with very well-trained and young staff and I jumped at the opportunity,” said Colyer. “I will continue to learn new and better methods of doing computer work from these young people.” “We do a lot more service online these days,” said McMahon. “With our equipment we can often access client’s computers at their site. That way they don’t have to bring machines to us. It saves time and money. We are also doing more remote service business with people in the residential setting.” As for Seniors, McMahon says they are savvy and getting savvier. Smartphones, Ipads, Skype and many other technologies are being absorbed and used by Seniors, setting aside the stereotype that they are confused by technology and unwilling to embrace it. McMahon also knows how to give back to the community. Volunteer work is very important to her. She is founder of the Paso Robles Education Alliance (PREA), and she donates time as President of the Senior Citizens’ North County Computer Club (NCCC). Paso Robles Tech is located at 705- C Pine Street in Paso Robles. They offer all forms of service and support including small/medium-size businesses, residential, PC/Mac/Linux, Smartphone/gaming console repair, virus/malware/spyware removal, network maintenance, troubleshooting and repair, data recover and remote tech support via the Internet. The company services the North County and San Luis Obispo. Customers enjoy a convenient walk-in repair depot for each drop-off/pick-up. For more information call 238- 9900 or visit PasoRoblesTech.com. Locally Owned Car Care Professionals • No Appointment Necessary • Drive-Thru • Fast Courteous Service • Professional Certified Technicians • All Services Warranty Approved $10 off ANY OIL CHANGE SMOG TEST $10 off SMOG AT THEATRE DR. LOCATION ONLY With this coupon- No other offers valid. Coupon expires 7/31/13 Home Loans Sharon Ross NMLS#311079 805.238.5004 • 805.459.6792 sharon@ccmortgageconsultants.com 513 13th Street Paso Robles Equal Housing Lender <strong>July</strong> <strong>2013</strong>, Paso Robles <strong>Magazine</strong> 53
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