Andy Mason · IT Administrator & Network Engineer

Set it up. Lock it down. Keep it running.

Andy Mason IT & Networking is my independent IT and managed-network practice, established in 2023, serving businesses in Houston and remote. I run all IT, networking, and device management for a 67-person firm across three offices, and I take on network design, access control, and security-camera projects for other clients. I built the IT function from the ground up: Ubiquiti UniFi networks and firewalls, Apple and Windows fleets managed through Jamf and Iru (formerly Kandji), Google Workspace administration, identity and access, and the automation that lets one person support a whole company.

IT Services

Active, hands-on IT administration and network management for growing businesses. This is the day job, not a side project.

Network design & management

Ubiquiti UniFi and UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM Pro) networks, firewalls, VLANs, and Wi-Fi designed, built, and monitored across multiple sites for reliable, secure connectivity.

Access control & security cameras

UniFi Access door entry with keycard and mobile credentials, plus UniFi Protect camera systems: designed, installed, and managed end to end.

Device & endpoint management

Apple and Windows fleets managed with Jamf and Iru (formerly Kandji) MDM: zero-touch onboarding, patching, configuration, and security baselines at scale.

Google Workspace administration

Identity, groups, access controls, and collaboration tooling administered and secured for a distributed workforce.

Endpoint security & identity

MFA and SSO, firewall policy, patch and vulnerability management, and compliance baselines enforced across every device.

Cloud migration & resilience

Moved a firm off on-prem mail and file servers to Google Workspace and Egnyte for disaster resilience. The same foundation kept the company fully remote through COVID with zero downtime.

The Ubiquiti UniFi stack I run

UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM Pro) UniFi Cloud Gateway UniFi Switches (USW) UniFi Access Points (U6 / U7) UniFi Protect Cameras UniFi Access (door entry) UniFi Talk UniFi Doorbell UniFi Network Controller UISP

Ubiquiti UWA, Wireless Admin certification

Ubiquiti URSCA, Routing, Switching and Cybersecurity Admin certification

Ubiquiti UFSP, Full Stack Professional certification

Ubiquiti certified: UWA (Wireless Admin), URSCA (Routing, Switching & Cybersecurity Admin), UFSP (Full Stack Professional). Apple certified: ACDT, ACMT, ACPT.

Design & Build Work

The other half of what I make. Ex-Apple HQ engineer and Smithsonian-exhibited illustrator: props, practical effects, a full-size droid, and the software that runs a studio. All of it starts as a drawing.

Practical effects

Motion-reactive props, designed and fabricated

Character builds

A working GNK droid with lights and sound

Studio software

A command hub that runs a 67-person firm

About

I am an IT administrator and network engineer in Houston. My day job is running the technology for Inventure Collective, a 67-person design firm across three offices. I own it all: the network, the firewalls, the Wi-Fi, every Apple and Windows device, Google Workspace, security, and the automation that holds it together. I first came in as a contractor to rescue an at-risk account, cleared a backlog of 300-plus unresolved tickets, and was hired to build the IT function from nothing.

Before that I spent seven years at Apple, ending up at HQ building iOS troubleshooting workflows that shipped to stores worldwide. I hold Apple and Ubiquiti UniFi certifications, and I have been drawing professionally for 25 years, with a set of my Houston symbols exhibited at the Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt Design Museum.

I design everything and direct the build, with AI in the toolbox so one person can ship what used to take a team. Whether it is a network that just works or something that switches on and makes someone's face change, I take ideas all the way from paper to powered on.

Experience

Andy Mason Designs

IT & Networking · 2023 to present

Independent IT and managed-network practice. Design and build networks from the ground up, and set up UniFi security cameras and door access for business clients across Houston and remote.

Digital Technology Manager

Inventure Collective · 2019 to present

Built and lead the IT function from the ground up for a 67-person firm across three offices. UniFi networks, Apple and Windows fleets managed with Jamf and Iru, Google Workspace, security, and automation.

Apple Technical Consultant

Tomotechi · 2014 to 2019

On-site and remote IT for businesses and homes: firewalls, VPN, VoIP, email migrations to Google Workspace, and UniFi network installs. Kept detailed case notes on every engagement.

Apple Inc. (HQ & Retail)

2006 to 2014

Mac Genius and Bench Lead, then Integrated Troubleshooting Engineer at HQ building the iOS troubleshooting guides shipped to retail and repair teams in more than 150 countries.

Certifications

Apple · Ubiquiti

Apple Certified Technician (ACDT, ACMT, ACPT). Ubiquiti UniFi certified: Wireless Admin (UWA); Routing, Switching & Cybersecurity Admin (URSCA); Full Stack Professional (UFSP).