Higher Ground Technologies pushing your business forward

Tom Guffin founded Higher Ground Technologies on September 1, 2000. Before starting the company, he had served as the Information Technology Manager for Shelby Systems since 1991. During that time he designed and programmed the Shelby/Apogee Church Management System. He has a BS degree from Auburn University and MS in Information Systems Management from The University of Memphis.

Kevin Brunson has been with Higher Ground Technologies since 2003. Before that, he was the IT Director for a large church in Memphis. He spends his time off hanging out with his wife and dogs and restoring his house. He graduated from Crichton College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Kevin has the following industry certifications:

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, 2000 and 2003
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, 2000 and 2003
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator:Security, 2003
Microsoft Certified Professional
Citrix Certified Administrator, Metaframe XP
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Server+
CompTIA A+
Watchguard Certified System Professional: Firebox System
Watchguard Certified System Professional: Fireware
Watchguard Certified System Professional: XTM
Provision Networks Certified Systems Engineer
Ruckus Wireless Solutions Engineer

Julie Weddle has worked for Higher Ground Technologies since 2006. For the previous 10 years Julie worked in the Financial Services job sector in Atlanta, Ga. When she is not working at Higher Ground, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband and their son. Julie also enjoys reading, music and decorating. She graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her major is Finance with a minor in Marketing.

Charles Haynes is retired US Navy. He spent years maintaining networks at sea before settling down to the civilian world. He has been with Higher Ground Technologies since day 1. He spends his weekends racing and re-building a race car. He also spends lots of time with his fleet of grand-kids.

Charles has the following industry certifications:

Microsoft Certified Professional
Certified Novell Engineer
Polycom Sales Representative 
Polycom Pre-Sales Technical Representative

Patti Cicalla , Business Manager, is one of the original Higher Ground employees. She came to us from Shelby Systems. Prior to that, she was the financial secretary for FBC Collierville. Patti has three sons and one grandchild. Marc, a recent graduate of the University of Florida,  is currently working at a hospital in Gainesville, Stephen is an employee of FedEx Ground, and David, currently deployed, is serving Active Duty in the US Army. Her granddaughter, Emma, just turned one.  In her spare time Patti enjoys sewing.

Will Dunlap has been with Higher Ground since 2005. Will worked in the CCTV and audio / visual industries as well as owning and running a business prior to joining the HGT staff. Will spends most of his free time with his wife, son, playing with & photographing wildlife (specifically snakes), and expanding Technologies grasp in his life.

Will has the following industry certifications:

Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft Certified Sales Specialist: Virtualization
Watchguard Certified System Professional: Fireware
Ruckus Wireless Solutions Engineer
Polycom Sales Representative 
Polycom Pre-Sales Technical Representative

Ronnie Hardy started with Higher Ground in 2007. Prior to joining our staff he worked at Samford University. He lives in Gardendale, AL with his wife Carla, and two children Kaitlyn and Price. An avid college football fan and licensed pyrotechnician, he can be found most Saturdays in the Fall shooting fireworks at football games around Alabama. Most recently he has been spotted on “the loveliest village on the Plains” perched in the scoreboard. Even though his two main hobbies are computers and fireworks he has pledged to never merge the two, especially when customers are involved.

Ronnie has the following industry certifications:

Apple Certified Associate - Mac Integration 10.6
CompTIA A+
Microsoft Certified Professional

Jeremy Howard has been with HGT since March of 2006. He has worked in the IT industry since 1996 for such companies as Dell and Roadrunner. He enjoys listening to and playing music and is the best guitar and piano player HGT has to offer. He loves dogs, enjoys fantasy novels as well as college football. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Memphis.

Jeremy has the following industry certifications:

Microsoft Certified Professional
CompTIA A+

Andrew Clark started with Higher Ground Technologies in 2009. He has a long history with computers which has earned him valuable laptop and desktop repair and troubleshooting skills.  His time on the retail sales floor gave him a great customer service ethic.  He enjoys attending live music and sporting events, travelling to new places, and on the weekends you can either find him on the racetrack or on the patio cooking BBQ.