Employee of year keeps city's computers online

Jeffrey Lewis' childhood fascination with computers led him to his career.

"My interest started a long time ago, when I was about 11 or 12 years old," said the desktop specialist for Augusta-Richmond County's Information Technology Department.

"My neighbor had gotten a new DOS computer, and he would let me come over and play games on it. I also got a chance to play around in DOS and get accustomed to it. That's when I started to become intrigued with finding out how the computer works."

Over the years, Mr. Lewis learned more about computers.

"I wanted to go beyond just using it to get on the Internet checking e-mail," he said. "I wanted to go much further and create programs and make it useful."

Mr. Lewis, 30, has been one of the city's desktop specialists for nearly two years. His tasks include ensuring that the city's desktop computers and software are running correctly, keeping inventory and replacing computers as needed.

Last month he was recognized as the city's 2008 Employee of the Year for getting the new commission voting system set up. The computerized voting system replaced a manual system.

"After they got the equipment installed, they needed someone to come in and set it up so that it could work specifically for them," he said. "I worked with the voting software we had bought and tailored it to meet the commission's voting needs. Now I run the system at each commission meeting."

The most enjoyable aspect of his job is working with a close-knit team, he said.

"This is a great team to work with," he said. "We all work together to make customer service our top priority so that our customers can go out and perform their duties for the city. It takes a total team effort, and I think it's really awesome to be a part of that."

Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.