Our Instructors
Heather Ackmann is an accomplished instructor who has taught over 4,000 students at the high school, college, and adult levels. Specializing in computer applications, writing, and literature, she holds a degree in English and Secondary Education, an Illinois Type 09 Initial Teaching Certificate, and is a Microsoft Certified Master for Office 2003.
While her energetic and easy-to-follow style is ideal for beginners to computer applications, her knowledge, thoroughness, and foresight in potential problems will satisfy the more proficient user.
On the side, she works as the Assistant Editor for the literary journal Relief: A Quarterly Christian Expression designing, editing, and proofing their print journal. She also maintains their Access Database, builds Excel and Word templates for their editors, and answers end-user questions for Relief's online submission system.
Heather is the instructor for the following courses:
J. Peter Bruzzese began his adventure in IT working for some of the largest investment banking firms in Manhattan. Goldman Sachs, Solomon Smith Barney and Merrill Lynch taught him the essentials of corporate life, networking and technology.
Eventually Peter would branch into the independent consultant and trainer world where he would work for New Horizons, CommVault Systems and even Microsoft, to name a few. For the past ten years he has specialized in Active Directory and Exchange support and education, as well as Certification Instruction.
Exchange has been Peter’s primary focus for ten years. He has a love for the way messaging works and has appreciated the improvements Microsoft has been making to Exchange with each release. This has led to the formation of his free site www.exclusivelyexchange.com.
Peter recently completed his tenth published and internationally sold book entitled "Exchange 2007 SP1 How-To" and then followed it up with "Server 2008 How-To" and "Windows 7 Unveiled" all published by Que.
Peter is a regular contributor to Redmond Magazine, WindowsITPro, Realtime and TechTarget. He is a regular speaker for TechMentor Conferences and has spoken at Microsoft TechEd Conferences, the IT360 Tech Conferences in Canada, the TEC Conference and (soon) WinConnections. Last but certainly not least, he writes the Enterprise Windows column for InfoWorld.
J. Peter is the instructor for the following courses:
Chris Bryant (CCIE #12933) has extensive experience in both the practical and theoretical sides of Cisco and Networking technologies. You will benefit greatly from his detailed instruction and passion for helping others, especially since Chris has recently been "down the Cisco road", passing his CCNA, CCNP and his CCIE!
Take advantage of Chris Bryant's vast experience, wealth of knowledge and all-around good advice that will help you pass your certification exams and develop the hands-on skills that the market demands.
Chris is the instructor for the following courses:
Obaid Chhatriwala (MBA, MCSE, Security +, CNA) is an experienced technology consultant and instructor. Obaid has over 10 years of experience teaching a variety of computer courses in Active Directory, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Server 2003, Windows XP, Novell Netware, Cisco Routing & Switching, Network Security and Computer Hardware.
He has also designed and administered networks for a variety of industries, including healthcare and financial companies. Obaid's enthusiasm and experience shines through in his teaching.
Obaid is the instructor for the following courses:
Ben "Coach" Culbertson (MCT, MCSA, MCDBA, CIW, A+, Net+, MOS) has taught thousands of people in the Chicagoland area, and brings ten years of training, web, print, and network consulting experience to the table. Serving a two year tour of duty as an inner city high school teacher at Roberto Clemente High School, he motivated at-risk students to achieve excellence and learned how to teach high level concepts in a rubber-meets-the-road fashion.
His versatility and high energy instructional style will not only educate you but also make you laugh along the way. Ben is also the Technical Editor and webmaster of ReliefJournal.com, a quarterly literary journal, and the Editor-In-Chief for Coach’s Midnight Diner, an annual genre anthology.
Ben is the instructor for the following courses:
David Davis (CCIE #9369, CWNA, MCSE, CISSP) has been in the IT industry for over 12 years. He currently manages a group of systems/network administrators for a privately owned retail company and authors IT-related material in his spare time.
He has written over fifty articles, eight practice tests, and co-authored one book. David's "real-world" experience combined with his diversity of skills (Windows, Cisco, Unix & Security) gives you a powerful learning resource that can't be matched.
David is the instructor for the following courses:
Paul Gadbois (CISSP, Security+, MCSE, MCP+I, CCNA, ITIL Foundations, ITIL Practitioner (IPRC), Net+, A+) is a highly decorated IT Professional with over 14 years of experience in the areas of IT Training, IT Service Management, IT Infrastructure Management and IT Security.
As a technical instructor, he has held adjunct faculty positions with both William Rainey Harper College, and Oakton Community College and has held the position of technical trainer for companies such as 3Com, CommWorks, and UTStarcom.
Paul has authored 7 technology training books and has been invited to deliver training sessions and seminars for organizations such as itSMF USA, Computer Associates, TransUnion and Cisco Systems.
He served as President and was a member of the Board of Directors for the Chicago chapter of itSMF USA, and in 2007 Paul was nominated for the prestigious itSMF USA knowledge award.
His common sense approach to teaching technology enables Paul to break down complicated content and effectively deliver it to people of all skill levels. Whether you're new to the world of IT, or you’re a seasoned IT professional, you will benefit from attending Paul's training courses.
Paul is the instructor for the following courses:
Jon Hassell is an experienced IT professional with over 10 years of expertise in the industry. He is a published author, technical consultant, and speaker residing in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jon's previous published works include RADIUS, Learning Windows Server 2003, Hardening Windows, and Using Small Business Server 2003 for O'Reilly and Apress.
His work is seen regularly in popular periodicals such as Windows IT Pro Magazine, SecurityFocus, PC Pro, and Microsoft TechNet Magazine. He speaks around the world on topics including networking, security, and Windows administration.
Jon brings an enormous amount of knowledge to each of his courses and priceless experiences that he gracefully shares with you to assist you in your training. His love for technology and attention to details will help you manage the most complex network environments today.
Jon is the instructor for the following courses:
Mel Haynes (MS) has been delivering technical training since 1994. He has trained students across the USA, in Canada, Germany and the UK.
As a Member of Technical Staff (MTS) at Bell Labs in Naperville he worked as a C/UNIX software developer and in Quality Assurance (QA) for 5ESS international switching.
Mel first taught computer science while completing his Masters in Computer Science at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. He started working with Visual Basic in 1992 and began teaching VB as an MCT in 1995. He later moved on to include ASP, C#.net, VB.Net, Java, various web related developer topics, as well as SQL Server and Windows administration.
Mel has developed and delivered Master Data Management (MDM) training and is currently focused on SQL Server 2008. Mel is a gifted IT professional and communicator able to make complex concepts clear and easy to understand.
Mel is the instructor for the following courses:
Bill Kulterman (CIW, MOS Master Certified) has worked as a web and graphic designer for over 6 years and has enjoyed teaching the Adobe/Macromedia Creative Suite since 2004. Although graphics classes are his favorite, he is also an award-winning Microsoft Office Instructor in Chicago.
His fun and easy going teaching style is engaging and allows for easy assimilation of new skills. When not recording the Best Computer Training on the Planet, Bill can be found at the opera or tending to his backyard pond.
Bill is the instructor for the following courses:
Ed Liberman (MCP, MCSAx2, MCSEx3, MCDST, MCT, MCTSx5, MCITPx3, A+, Network+, Server+, CWNA, CWTS, CWNT) has worked in technology for 18 years. He has been certified and instructing IT since 1998. He has helped thousands of people to get started or advance their careers in the IT industry.
When he is not in the classroom, he is out helping corporations with their network infrastructure as an independent consultant. Ed will get you ready to pass your exams while you develop the skills needed to succeed in the "real world". His teaching style encourages you to have fun while you learn. Ed also volunteers his time in his local community as a math tutor for struggling grade school children.
Ed is the instructor for the following courses:
Scott Lowe (MCSE, CNA) is the Chief Information Officer at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri where he puts his 14 years of Information Technology experience to work serving the needs of the campus community. By night (and sometimes weekends, lunch, and everything in between!) Scott writes technical articles for CNet's TechRepublic and Microsoft.
For TechRepublic, for whom he has written more than 500 articles, Scott writes the weekly Exchange newsletter tip as well as the biweekly storage newsletter. He is also the author of O'Reilly's Home Networking: The Missing Manual and a coauthor of Microsoft Press' Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 Administrator's Companion.
Scott is the instructor for the following courses:
Dave Shackelford (MCSE, CCNA) brings 10 years of experience as a technology consultant, trainer and network engineer to Train Signal. He currently works as partner to a number of consultants and teaches technology classes as a contractor for the State of Washington.
He has been a contributing author to books on Windows Server, and a technical editor for books on Windows Security, Group Policy, and Windows Server.Dave has been a Microsoft MVP for four years lending his experience to shape future Microsoft products.
His passion for technology can be seen by his students, clients, technical forum readers and all those who have had the chance to interact with him.
Dave is the instructor for the following courses:
Scott Skinger (MCSE, CCNP, CNE) is an experienced Windows 2000/Server 2003 instructor. He has taught dozens of courses, covering topics such as: Windows 2000, NT 4.0, Novell Netware, Cisco Routers, Network Security, Computer Hardware and Project Management.
He has also worked in the trenches as a Network Engineer, Director of Technology and currently as an Independent Consultant through his own company, SAS Technology Advisors. Scott's real-world knowledge, energy and thoroughness make any course he teaches both fun and rewarding.
His passion for technology can be seen by his students, clients, technical forum readers and all those who have had the chance to interact with him.
Scott is the instructor for the following courses: