Meet Nicole Firebaugh
Nicole Firebaugh is the IT Unified Communications manager at global architect firm HKS, with a background in support services and new business development. HKS, Inc. is a privately-held company with more than 1,500 employees and with a recently expanded footprint. HKS is a major player in architecture, handling projects from stadiums to healthcare facilities and beyond.
“Never have I met a group of people with such like-minded goals who feel more like family,” Firebaugh said.
Firebaugh’s journey with Tech Allies began while she was an employee in sales at Vonage. Vonage sponsored a Tech Allies bourbon tasting where Firebaugh was in attendance. There, she would connect with Tech Allies peers, who would quickly become friends and mentors as well. Her newfound relationships through Tech Allies helped Firebaugh break out of sales and into IT at HKS. Since then, Firebaugh has joined Tech Allies as a Technology Executive, where she has developed relationships to help advance HKS’ innovative services and drive value from the IT department.
Connections through Tech Allies
Currently, Firebaugh serves Tech Allies as both a technology executive and a mentor, a full-circle moment since Tech Allies principal Tricia Shevlin took Firebaugh under her own wing when the two first met.
“Tricia was a key factor in my introduction to HKS,” Firebaugh said. “It’s really cool because, not only did it help my job, but then I was able to come here and [meet various channel partners] that Tech Allies was able to connect me with.”
Shevlin recently connected Firebaugh with Kent Taggart, CEO of IT asset disposition company, “mender.” Shevlin recognized the synergies between Firebaugh and Taggart, and we don’t just mean their shared love of bourbon!
The Impact of Tech Allies
Tech Allies has helped Firebaugh foster relationships which have led to significant business wins. The partnership with Mender, for instance, has improved processes at HKS, even turning their IT department into one that generates revenue.
“One relationship I have through Tech Allies, mender, is the most flexible partner we have had so far. My team really enjoys working with them,” Firebaugh said. “At HKS headquarters, we have never had a formal recycler before. Mender is helping us get an accurate inventory, as well as run reports on what IT assets they are taking from us and deconstructing.”
In addition to helping HKS responsibly dispose of their tech, Mender has inadvertently created a new revenue stream for the architect giant.
“If they are able to resell our equipment, we get credits back,” Firebaugh said. “That’s completely new to the IT department; we are not really a revenue-generating department. Our accounting team had to figure out how to put a credit in for the IT project code, which was very new for us.”
The relationship with mender is one that is great for the planet and great for HKS, and the impact is quantifiable.
“Having a process and being able to show senior leadership at HKS the value of this partnership that is putting money back into their pockets is just something that has never happened here,” Firebaugh said.
Building Connections and Mentorship
One of Firebuagh’s most cherished aspects of her involvement with Tech Allies is the personal connections made.
“Tricia and I are in a group chat with a couple other people from Tech Allies called ‘Brown Water Therapy,’ because we love bourbon. They planned a going away party for me before a move,” Firebaugh explained. “The fact that I have these people who I look up to as mentors – who are very successful in their personal lives and business lives and well known throughout DFW – it really pulled at my heart strings that they wanted to take time out of their life to celebrate me.”
Tech Allies cares deeply about the personal connections made but also the professional ones.
“Tech Allies vets who they let in. It makes it easier to engage with their vendors, because I know Tricia, Karen and Larissa trust them,” Firebaugh said. “The vendors are there for the right reasons, and they aren’t flooding your inbox for the sake of getting meetings on the books.”
Why Tech Allies?
“I have wasted time at other networking groups in DFW and the needle doesn’t move; at Tech Allies, you aren’t going to waste your time,” Firebaugh said. “You are around a group of educated people who have good advice for you and a good direction to point you in. I know I can call anybody on that Tech Allies list for advice on both sides of my life. There is no other networking group in DFW and Austin like it.”
Firebaugh’s journey with Tech Allies exemplifies the profound impact that can come from strategic networking and mentorship. Her story reflects how being part of a supportive and innovative community can lead to both personal and professional growth.
“[HKS] got a new CIO and I asked some of my Tech Allies peers how I should approach my first meeting with him,” Firebaugh said. “ [One of the Tech Allies Tech Executive] gave me really good feedback. I did exactly what he said during my interview and I crushed it. It’s nice to see a group of successful people help each other get to that next step in their life.”