Entrepreneur Spotlight - David Farris, ITSM Associates, LLC

David Farris has been involved in the Information Technology Service Management (ITSM) field for over 20 years and approximately 7 years ago during a speaking engagement for the 2004 Help Desk Institute, National Conference in Florida came across a little known library of best practices.  That library of best practices is referred to as the Information Technology Infrastructure Library, commonly referred to as ITIL.  Upon returning to his organization, David asked two of his senior subordinates to attend formal training in ITIL.
At the time, David was responsible for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Raleigh, NC Data Center, Eastern Region Customer Support, and the Enterprise Service Desk.  It was his objective to utilize these best practices to build a model of how ITSM could be conducted throughout all of APHIS.  Since that time, ITIL has become formally recognized throughout the enterprise from the Board of Directors and Chief Information Officer (CIO) level down and formal ITIL foundations training has taken place at 3 of the 5 major Data Centers at APHIS for approximately 150 information technology (IT) professionals.  The processes associated with the ITIL Framework are currently being implemented along with an automated tool (BMC/Remedy) to support the implementation of those processes.

During the summer of 2007 David attended a formal education program coordinated through the State of North Carolina and achieved the highly recognized industry certification in ITIL (ITIL Service Manager Master) in September of 2007.  During that same month David was a guest speaker at the Information Technology Service Management Forum (itSMF) National Conference in Charlotte, NC.  David’s presentation was geared towards how to get started with an ITSM program within the Federal Government.  David realized early on that many organizations and information technology professionals who are not familiar with the framework have a difficult time of trying to determine where to begin the ITIL journey.

In the Fall of 2007 David decided to start ITSM Associates, LLC with the primary focus of offering services surrounding the ITIL framework that included (Education, Consulting, & Project Management) with a Mission Statement David had created for himself during a formal training program offered by the USDA.

“To serve, lead faithfully, and build lasting relationships along the way”

Whether it's serving customers in achieving their information technology management needs or assisting in volunteer community work, the ultimate aim is to establish a lasting relationship with all ITSM Associates come in contact with in their day-to-day activities. To do this requires commitment, passion, and a devotion to be servant leaders.  It is ITSM Associates belief that this simple Mission Statement will help them to meet or exceed client expectations while at the same time assisting the team members in becoming successful in achieving their personal and professional goals.

David is currently seeking out other professionals to help round out the leadership team to help build and grow the company along with other ITSM professionals who have a likeminded mission and passion for ITSM.

If you would like to learn more about how to begin a path towards ITSM Excellence, please visit http://www.itsmassociates.com/ for further information regarding the company and how to get in contact with us.