Real People. Right Now.
From the first hello, the Locknet® team is dedicated to serving you and your needs.
Locknet seamlessly integrates into your business operations, providing dedicated support and expertise as an extension of your own team.
At Locknet, we like to think of ourselves as your neighborhood IT experts with a global view of cybersecurity. Sure, we might hail from the land of cheese curds and hotdishes, but our expertise in managed IT services is anything but basic. Behind our unassuming exteriors, you’ll find a powerhouse of tech specialists ready to tackle your IT and security challenges with a blend of practicality and precision that only the Midwest can deliver.
We have five offices in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, and serve clients throughout the Midwest.
Locknet Managed IT is a proud part of the EO Johnson family, a company with over six decades of excellence in business technology. As a woman-owned enterprise, EO Johnson specializes in fostering connected and collaborative workplaces through cutting-edge technology, data security, and digital transformation solutions.
Our managed IT services bring together a vast network of IT professionals across the upper Midwest, all driven by a passion for helping our clients succeed. With a commitment to excellence and an infectious energy, our team provides top-notch support and unparalleled expertise.
SOUND LIKE YOU?
CARING
We genuinely care about each other, our customers, and our vendors. Like a family, we celebrate our successes and support each other with compassion in times of challenge. We believe in contributing our time and resources to the communities in which we are privileged to do business and raise our families.
CUSTOMER VISION
We see our business through the eyes of our customers. We respond to their needs as a team and aim to exceed their expectations. Emery O. Johnson passionately believed in this founding principle of Customer Vision and still today, every employee at every level, serves our customers and each other with this in mind.
TRUSTWORTHY
We strive to always do the right thing, even when no one is watching. As Emery O. Johnson was fond of saying, “Do the right things and the right things will happen.” Our trustworthiness lays the groundwork for successful, long-term relationships with both our colleagues and our customers.
RESILIENT
Resilience allows us to maintain our stability in the midst of inevitable challenges. Our resilience grows from the responsibility we have accepted and entrusted to one another, our customers, and our community. We take pride in our rich history. We make decisions with our long-term in mind and recognize the stewardship of precious financial and human resources that contribute to this stability.
To truly gauge whether a company embraces its core values requires examining its actions, behaviors, and expectations:
Locknet President
Kris is the President of EO Johnson’s Locknet® Managed IT Service division. He began his Locknet career in 2008 as a Technical Sales Representative, moved into the Director of Sales position in 2011, and was promoted to Vice President of Sales for Locknet® in early 2021. Prior to joining our team, he served as a tournament director for two PGA TOUR Champions and as Marketing Director for a regional master planning community residential developer. Kris is responsible for achieving revenue growth targets through strategic leadership, product and service pricing and profitability, sales training and coaching, and assists with product development and product lifecycle management.
Kris obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from Saint John’s University. He is a native of the Upper Midwest and currently calls Excelsior, MN home. He actively presents to other Managed Service Providers at industry events on how to use defined metrics for sales teams. During his leisure time, he volunteers for Feed My Starving Children and coaches youth sports.
Vice President of IT
Ben joined Locknet as IT Director in 2007 and brings more than 20 years of experience in systems administration, including 10 years in the healthcare industry. Prior to joining Locknet®, Ben worked for the Mayo Health System in Network Administration and IT Management. Ben has overseen multiple internal data center build-outs, and led the technical integration of Locknet with four different organizations after acquisitions. At various times throughout his Locknet career, he led nearly every aspect of operations, including Security, Sales Engineering, Purchasing, Compliance, and Product Development. Today, Ben leads the Internal IT, Security and Networking Engineering, Compliance, Sales Engineering, and Post-Sales teams and Product Development. In addition, Ben manages the partner programs for Locknet technology vendors.
Ben is a graduate of Viterbo University and Western Technical College (WWTC) with degrees in Computer Science and IT Management.
Operations Director
Earning “Servant Leader of the Year” in 2018 was well deserved for Peter. With nearly 20 years in the industry and a decade with Locknet®, Peter helped grow the Support Center organization from eight to 40 team members. He can also proudly say he led during a three-year stretch of zero turnovers. Peter’s outstanding dedication and excellence in leadership have been well recognized by both Locknet and EO Johnson Business Technologies. In January 2021, Peter was promoted from Support Center Manager to Technical Operations Director, leading nearly 40 technical employees.
Life with his wife, two sons, daughter, and chocolate and silver labs keeps Peter busy and fulfilled. He’s an Iraqi vet who traveled the world and continues to explore the earth’s many treasures with his family. On game days, there’s nowhere Peter would rather be than in a seat with a view where he can cheer on his beloved Iowa Hawkeyes and Kansas City Chiefs.
Director of Sales
Jordan Shanks is the Director of Sales for Locknet® Managed IT. Shanks is responsible for accomplishing revenue growth targets through strategic leadership, strategic marketing initiatives, sales training and coaching, and managing overall client satisfaction.
Shanks joined the company in January 2020 after spending the previous five years as Vice President of Client Services at a local Managed Service Provider.
Shanks is a Certified John Maxwell Coach. He is a native of Central Indiana and currently resides in Waverly, Iowa with his wife and three kids. You can often meet Jordan at industry events where he is either sharing or absorbing the strategy of keeping Iowa organizations safe. Shanks is active in the Waverly Chamber of Commerce, Grow Cedar Valley, and the U.S. Junior Chamber. In his leisure time, he is either coaching his daughter’s soccer team or playing a round of golf.
If you would like to set up a meeting with Jordan, please schedule here.
Support Center Team Supervisor
Kayle Finn is a Support Team Supervisor for Locknet® Managed IT. In this role, Finn provides leadership to a team of Systems Administrators and Senior Systems Administrators who provide remote technical support to our Keysuite clients. He is responsible for the daily operations of his support center team while ensuring effective resolution of client issues.
Finn joined the company in 2006 as a Systems Administrator and has held positions as a Senior Systems Administrator, Assistant Support Center Manager, and Client Project Implementation Manager before transitioning into his current position. Prior to Locknet, he was an Operations Coordinator at a local managed service provider.
Finn attained an Associate of Applied Science degree from Western Technical College in the Microcomputer Specialist and Microcomputer Technician Programs, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Computer Information Systems from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He currently calls La Crosse home, where he volunteers at the STAR Center, a non-profit organization bringing sports and recreation to people with disabilities, and mentors individuals who have recently become disabled. He enjoys woodworking, cooking, and spending time with his nieces.
Support Center Team Supervisor
Cory Henke joined Locknet Managed IT® in 2018 as a Support Center Team Supervisor. Henke provides daily leadership to a team of System Administrators who provide technical support to Keysuite clients. Other responsibilities include monitoring ticket queues and inbound calls, assisting with the onboarding of new clients, ensuring client issues are resolved in a timely manner, preparing and facilitating the delivery of Strategic Business Reviews, and developing strategies for obtaining both strategic and tactical feedback from clients.
Prior to Locknet®, Henke was Senior Vice President of IT at a local financial institution. He also held the position of Quality Control Manager at an IT services company, worked as a defense contractor, and served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force.
Henke currently calls Kronenwetter, Wisconsin home and during his downtime enjoys single track mountain biking, camping, and other outdoor recreation. Henke is a C4I Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence Air Force Veteran.
Director of Information Security
Shannon Mayberry is the Director of Information Security for Locknet® Managed IT, a position he has held since early 2021. Mayberry is responsible for establishing and maintaining an enterprise-wide security management program, designed to protect the organization’s information, systems, and technology assets from both internal and external threats. He designs and oversees security testing procedures to verify the security of systems, networks, and applications and manages the remediation of identified risks. He manages the company-wide cybersecurity training program and assists with the development and implementation of security products.
Mayberry joined the company in 2008 as a Security Engineer and moved into the IT Security Manager position in 2014 before assuming his current role. Prior to Locknet®, Mayberry was a Network Administrator at a local hardwoods company and an IT Manager at an international manufacturing and service provider.
Mayberry attained a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree from Capella University in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. During his free time, Mayberry enjoys camping, hiking, gardening, and building a net-zero home.
IT Manager
Kevin Nelson is the IT Manager for Locknet® Managed IT and EO Johnson Business Technologies, a position he has held since 2018. Nelson is responsible for managing the organization’s network and server infrastructure, data communications, and telecommunications systems. He oversees and maintains all company hardware and software, and recommends network products, services, protocols, and standards in support of network procurement and development efforts.
Nelson joined the company in 2007 as a Network Administrator and transitioned to the Network Engineer position in 2009 before moving into his current role. Prior to Locknet®, Nelson was the Store IT Support and Network Administrator for a large chain of home improvement stores located in the Midwest.
Nelson attained an Associate of Applied Science degree from Western Technical College in the Microcomputer Specialist and Network Specialist Programs and currently resides in Stoddard, Wisconsin where he enjoys construction and automotive projects.
Business Analyst Team Manager
Mike Criste leads the Business Analytics Team for the Locknet® Managed IT division, a position he has held since early 2016. This team supports strategic analysis and decision-making through the mining and presentation of corporate data. This team also augments organizational change initiatives by identifying workflow automation opportunities and implementing them.
Criste joined the company in 2010 as a Support Center Representative and moved into the Major Accounts manager position in 2012. Prior to Locknet®, he spearheaded the creation of a global network infrastructure for an online stock exchange in Chicago. As a senior consultant, he has also guided organizational change initiatives with a major Chicago consulting firm and has held a number of management positions in the IT and retail sectors.
Criste attained a Master's Degree in Organizational Psychology and Theory from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh.
Systems Field Technician Supervisor
Tim Dakin is the Systems Field Technician Supervisor for Locknet® Managed IT. He manages the support center field team that provides onsite service to clients. Dakin is responsible for hardware and software installation processes, oversees the development and dissemination of help sheets and usage guides for clients, and establishes service level agreements to establish problem resolution expectations and timeframes.
Dakin joined the company in 2019 as a Systems Field Technician before moving into his current role in early 2020. Prior to Locknet®, Dakin was a Senior Desktop Support Technician for a local furniture manufacturer and served as an IT Consultant at an IT services company.
Dakin attained his Associate of Applied Science degree from Lakeshore College in the IT-Network Specialist and IT-Computer Support Specialist programs. Dakin currently resides in West Salem, Wisconsin, and enjoys gaming, 3D printing, hunting, and fishing. He’s an Army Veteran and served six years with two tours of duty; his most recent deployment was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2005-2007.
Support Center Team Supervisor
Zach Perkins is a Support Center Team Supervisor for Locknet® Managed IT. Perkins provides leadership to two teams of System Administrators and Senior System Administrators who provide remote technical support to our Keysuite and Managed IT clients. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of his support center teams, oversees client issues, ensures effective and long-term resolution, facilitates process improvement, monitors ticket queues and tracks inbound calls, and works closely with his Technical Account Managers (TAMs) to ensure the appropriate products and services are in place to effectively deliver World Class support.
Perkins joined the company in August of 2021 in his current position, bringing with him 15+ years of experience in the IT industry. Prior to Locknet®, he has held the positions of IT Technician, Network Administrator, Systems Admin, and an IT Support Specialist for a global scientific-based manufacturing company based in Des Moines, Iowa.
He obtained an Associate of Applied Science degree from Hawkeye Technical College in the Network Engineering and Administration program, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Management of Information Systems from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2024, Perkins proudly obtained his Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) from the University of Iowa.
Perkins calls Ankeny, Iowa home where you may find him hiking, biking, in the gym, cooking, sipping craft beer, traveling and spending time with his dogs, family, and friends.
Support Center Team Supervisor
Bob Thurman is a Support Center Team Supervisor for Locknet® Managed IT a position he transitioned into in July of 2021. The team he supervises provides IT support to a number of Keysuite clients, assisting them when they have questions or concerns. In addition, he works with Locknet Account Executives in preparing for strategic business reviews, providing information, and help desk trend reports.
Thurman joined the company in 2019 as a System Administrator in our Waterloo, Iowa location. Prior to joining Locknet®, he managed a team of 28 technicians, providing deskside support at four locations for a large manufacturer of agricultural and industrial equipment. For 13 years, he managed the implementation team for a company that assisted non-profit organizations with fundraising. In addition, he served as a stockbroker for eight years, sold computers for a decade, and worked at a bank for two years.
Thurman attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Systems Management from Central College in Pella, Iowa. He currently calls rural Waterloo home, along with his wife. In his free time, he enjoys volunteer work as a self-proclaimed "sound nerd," operating the sound system for performances for the Don Bosco High School Marching Band. He also enjoys hiking, camping, hunting, geocaching, gardening, and a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Dennis Whitehead is a Support Center Team Supervisor for Locknet® Managed IT, a position he has held since 2022. Whitehead provides daily leadership to a team of System Administrators who provide technical support to Keysuite clients. He oversees client issues and ensures effective and long-term resolution, monitors ticket queues, and assists with the delivery of Strategic Business Reviews.
Whitehead started with EO Johnson Business Technologies in 2013 as a Service Technician and Connectivity Tech for our Managed Print Services Division. In 2018, he transitioned to Locknet Managed IT as a Systems Administrator and moved to System Administrator II and Assistant Support Center Team Lead through the years. Prior to Locknet, Whitehead retired from the U.S. Army after serving 20 years. He is currently a volunteer firefighter and an Emergency Services Adjunct Instructor at Western Technical College.
Whitehead graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Stout with a master's degree in Information and Communication Technologies. He calls Sparta, Wisconsin home with his wife and two children, and enjoys riding his motorcycle and raising money for his favorite charity.
Robbi Welty is a Support Center Team Supervisor for Locknet® Managed IT, a position she has held since 2022. Welty leads a team of talented technicians, ensuring world-class customer service for her clients. She is responsible for the day-to-day management of her support center team, oversees the resolution of client issues, monitors ticket queues, and works with Account Executives to facilitate the delivery of strategic business reviews.
Welty has eight years of experience in the IT industry. She has held previous roles as a Systems Administrator II, Managed Services Engineer II and Team Lead, and Systems Administrator III supporting many business sizes and industries including financial institutions, school districts, and small to enterprise-size businesses. Welty also designed and implemented a video and physical access system at a large regional event center.
Welty hails from Northern Wisconsin and currently calls Duluth, Minnesota home. Outside of work, she enjoys attending live music concerts, playing video games, and tending to her Tabby and Siamese kittens. Welty loves to travel, enjoys spending time in nature, and is an avid hiker.
Jim Farrell manages the System Engineering team for Locknet Managed IT. In this role, he leads the design, installation, and connectivity of cloud and IT infrastructure solutions for clients. He also directs the activities of a team of network specialists to resolve end-user hardware and software problems efficiently and accurately.
Farrell has a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Wartburg College along with over twenty years of experience in information technology before joining Locknet in 2023. He has previously held leadership roles within managed services, cloud services, security training, and internet service providers. He enjoys discussing cloud automation and artificial intelligence applications for business.
Farrell spends his weekends with his wife attending sporting events for his teenage son and daughter. They live on a quiet country road in Denver, Iowa where they enjoy their garden, three French bulldogs, and a few chickens.
Jared Purney is the Director of Managed Services for Locknet® Managed IT, a position he has held since joining Locknet in 2023. Purney oversees all aspects of IT support and delivery. This includes management of Support Center leadership, execution of IT services, and driving client satisfaction. Purney joined Locknet with 20 years of experience in operations management focused on health care service delivery and business development.
Purney is from Northern Wisconsin and currently calls La Crosse, WI home. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and five children. His pastimes include beekeeping, gardening, and cooking. Purney also serves on the Board of Directors for a local non-profit organization.
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