Alan Forrest was one of five winners of the 2018 All Star Award, and his nomination form noted, “This year alone Alan has resolved a number of early morning issues, worked non-stop for 36 hours for a server upgrade and did troubleshooting over the phone while at Disneyland!”
What is your role in the Service Center of Excellence?
I work with Critical Services and Applications for UNC Finance and Operations. This means I support the back-end services that make things work, from the servers to the infrastructure that ties everything together. The Finance and Operations IT group provides a high level of service to the SCE and all of Finance and Operations and I am proud to be a part of that team.
What did you do before you came to the SCE?
I was a senior systems administrator for the UNC Department of Computer Science for more than 15 years. I led the systems and desktop support teams for UNC CS, supporting users, research projects and the academic mission of the department. Prior to coming to UNC in 2001, I was an IT manager for an insurance company in Burlington, NC.
What is your favorite part of working at SCE?
The people! I really enjoy working with my co-workers in the SCE. It has been a pleasure getting to know each and every one of you. I have learned a great deal about the University from supporting the various units in the SCE.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I have an active family life with three sons that keep my wife and I quite busy with school and activities. I am the Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 438 in Hillsborough. I am a Pack 438 alumnus and an Eagle Scout, and I enjoy giving back to the Scouting program.
What is something people probably wouldn’t know about you, or another fun item you’d like to share?
I play the banjo in a bluegrass band. My musical endeavors have led me to play music as far away as Colorado and Wyoming and around the world via radio for the Voice of America. My bluegrass band plays regularly in Chapel Hill, Durham and Hillsborough so come out and hear us play!
How did it feel to win the All Star Award?
I am honored and very grateful to be a recipient of the All Star Award. We have so many wonderful co-workers in Finance and Operations and such a culture of excellence it makes being selected a real privilege and honor.